Month: July 2018

The Vatican

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My class and I visited the Vatican on our last day in Rome. I loved the experience, even if I didn’t get to meet the Pope (although some of my friends did get to see him the very next day!)img_3566

My favorite part of the Vatican? The ceilings! img_3494img_3498img_3506img_3507

All the other artwork was cool too, but really, the ceilings here are something else entirely. I loved them! img_3531img_3528

The stained glass here wasn’t as impressive as I’d hoped. The best stained glass I’ve ever seen was definitely Chartres Cathedral in France. Maybe that’ll be the next stop on the Tour de Bailey? Who knows! You’ll have to wait until this next semester ends to see where I travel too next!

Rome

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Today’s blog post is short and sweet (just like me, lol). These are all the places I went in Rome, other than the Vatican, which is technically its own country.

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The Trevi Fountain was my favorite landmark. I had been wanting to visit and make a wish ever since The Lizzie McGuire Movie came out! img_3439

Below is the Pantheon…img_3443

Believe it or not, this building has a giant oculus in the middle! I’m a little sad that I wasn’t here for the Pentecost – the Romans celebrate by showering rose petals through the hole in the ceiling! img_3452

Of course, the Column of Trajan was a must! img_3455img_3468

If you missed my last post about all the coffee I drank in Italy – check it out here! Spoiler alert: Arnold’s was my favorite!

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The oldest tea room in Italy!

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I high-fived Constantine the Great.IMG_3399IMG_3403IMG_3418IMG_3421IMG_3426IMG_3429

And I managed to make some cool cat friends while abroad! Turns out, meowing in Italian is the same as EnglishIMG_3534

Obligatory “we figured out how to navigate the metro on our own” selfieIMG_3738

That’s all for now! Check back next week for more on my Italian travels!

Coffee in Italy

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If you haven’t guessed, I love coffee! As something I drink every day, I would say I know what I like and how I like it done. Transitioning from American coffee to Italian coffee was a little weird because I’m so used to a big mug of black coffee in the mornings and in Italy most people drink a shot of espresso instead.

Starting on hour one in the airport, I decided to drink as an Italian would drink – I ordered a cappuccino. Turns out, I actually like them here! In the States I find them too sweet, but here the foam and bitter coffee make the perfect harmonious marriage of flavors.

Truth be told it wasn’t the prettiest coffee I’ve ever had, but it was from an airport so I didn’t have the bar set too high.

Bar Signorelli in Cortona is the UGA kids’ usual haunt. Go there for their cafe lattes, cappuccinos, or iced coffee. Honestly, we all went there for their wifi haha

Gilli’s in Florence is my friend Sherry’s favorite coffee place. While I don’t think it’s the best there is, the coffee was definitely the prettiest I’ve ever had!

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The bar there was also super cute! The whole place had a very British vibe.

I loved the mirror in the background (as you can probably tell by the awkward mirror selfies).

I’m honestly not even sure where I bought this coffee…

Or this one…whoops!

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My favorite coffee shop in Italy has to be Arnold’s. It’s essentially a knock off Starbucks, but with better coffee. Get the American coffee with vanilla! That’s what saved me during my sleep deprived day long tour in Florence, and then again when in Rome. Their cookies are also a hit!

Sienna

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Sienna was absolutely beautiful! I loved going through the government buildings (hello, future law student!) and seeing firsthand how art can be a political influence.

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The views were absolutely gorgeous! img_2899

Reading in the plaza is a nice break from walking around all day! I brought a sarong with me to use as a blanket when sitting on the ground. I am always getting things on my white jeans! Bringing something to sit on (and to help my classmates cover up their shoulders or knees when going into churches) really saved me on this trip! img_2887img_2881img_2839img_2840

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Below is the Allegory of Good and Bad Government, a fresco mural in the rooms of the Council of Nine, the government of Sienna in the 1300’s. I love it because of its purpose: it kept the government in line through the depiction of what occurs when a government governs poorly. Below is only the “good government” side, but you should definitely check out the “bad government” side. What a great political implication! If you want to read more about it, click here. IMG_2889IMG_2861