Tuscany 2010

and dont forget to look at the blog that the leaders are posting.  I’m not sure if they get around too it more than I do, but they might show more pictures etc.  

http://ngsetuscany2010.wordpress.com/

I apologize for not posting as much as I had anticipated on the trip.  I only got to day one, wow, that’s pretty pathetic.

Well, I’m keeping this short for the same reason that I havent been posting, we are kept on our feet all day.  We leave early, and come back late.  Although I could post late at night, unfortunately the Villa turns off the router around 9ish (?) and we usually get back a little later.  And mornings are way too rushed.

Here is out Itinerary that we were given tuesday morning.  

-On Tuesday we went to the Florence Museum to see David, and wandered around Florence a little bit.

-Wednesday we went on Assignment to Fiesole (a town really close to our villa.  Our villa is on the outskirts of Florence, and right after it Fiesole starts.)  Wednesday was the day National Geographic photographer Massimo Bassano met up with our group.  He is with us for three whole days and that’s really neat! After Fiesole we wen on a long trip to a Olive press (as well as wine making)  outside of Florence.  That was sooo cool.  I definitely bought some authentic Extra Virgin Olive oil! :) 

-Thursday was amazing, but also a slight dud.  It was the day we went to Cinque Terre, the most beautiful place I’ve been to so far.  Cinque means 5 and I believe terre means ‘town’.  So literally, its 5 towns situated along the coast of the mediterranean, completely built into the rock cliffs.  These towns were SOOOO COOL!!!!  I loved it.  Now the downside was that almost the majority of the morning ( and on and off throughout the day) we had CRAZY thunderstorms.  These weren’t just some thunderstorms that were measly and passed by, they were completely TORRENTIAL DOWNPOURS!!!  It was absolutely insane, and granted nobody was really prepared.  I had my rain-coat (or so I thought.)  Torrential Thunder storms are not the best place to find out your so-called ‘rain-coat’ is not waterproof….

-Friday (today) we are heading to Luca/Pisa/(possibly Siena?).  I’m not really sure on what they decided, but i’m sure it will be great.  There has been a rumour floating around that we are going tandem biking in Luca! (how fun!)  It will be a bit of an adventure, but thats what makes the trip.  Doing things that are beyond the ‘norm’ of ‘tourism’.

-Saturday we are going to Voterra and San Gimignano.  Volterra I know is where Twilights New Moon was filmed, so I’m quite pumped about that.  As for San Gimignano I dont know much about it, but I’m sure it will be great!

-Sunday we leave Massimo behind unfortunately, but…..we are going by train to VENICE! Everyone is incredibly excited, including me! :) 

-Monday is basically our re-coup day.  We are going into Florence to see the last minute things, buy touristy items etc.  We are going to edit our pictures, have a final dinner and also give our final presentations to the group. 

- And Tuesday, unfortunately is home time.  :( :( :( 

Okay, so much for keeping that short!!! heh heh.
breakfast time!  

xoxo

-Kaylin  

Ciao!

So. absolutely. incredible.

I’ve touched down in Italy, incredibly jet-lagged and relieved.  Met up with the 20ish other students/leaders.  It was pretty stressful getting to that point though.  My flight from Minneapolis had been canceled, so for a few minutes all I did was freak out about how I’m not going to be able to meet them in time.  I was eventually put on another flight, one that left at 10:10 (or was supposed too).  We didn’t leave the airport until around 11:30 (technical delays, and issues in Newark)  So by then I was absolutely terrified.  Lots of praying thats for sure! And good news is it worked out. I arrived just on time, with even 20 mins to spare! (they didn’t end up leaving at 3:30, like I thought)  PRAISE THE LORD, I WAS ON MY WAY TO ITALY!

I’ve decided 7 hour flights are not fun. Especially when you are supposed to ‘sleep’ for half of it, but its nowhere near ‘sleeping’ time where you are from.  

We arrived in Milan around 8:30 local time.  Then proceeded to take a thee-four hour bus ride to florence.  

Once we arrived, we ate, and had one hour to shower and do whatever, then we headed out on the town.  The moment we stepped into the central core of florence I was in love!   Cobblestone, narrow alleys and streets, vines creeping up castle walls and magnificent buildings and cathedrals.  We took a two hour walking tour around the central core and that was exhausting, but was a really really good way of seeing not only the magnificent area, but also getting to know a little bit of it’s history.  

I’d better keep this short so i’l sign off for now.  Should probably be getting some sleep.  We have an absolutely jam packed week ahead, including trips to Pisa, Siena and possibly (hopefully!!!!) VENICE!  I’m so excited.  I’ve already taken 200 photos hahaha, and many more to come!!

Here are a few, just to give you a taste!! :)

love you all!

-Kaylin  

Wowza! I cant believe it but tomorrow I am actually going to be en route to Tuscany Italy! Its such an amazing feeling, and I’m still completely over the moon that I was fortunate enough to receive such an amazing scholarship.  It just doesn’t feel real, and i’m not sure that the reality will actually set in until I see it for myself, and walk on the Italian soil.  Maybe then it will be real?  NAH, i’l probably STILL need someone to pinch me!! haha

I’m getting so excited! Packing has really been the turning point.  Up until now it seemed like it was so far away, but i’m actually packing my bags getting ready to leave!  I think i’ve packed waaayyy too much.  National Geographic Student Expeditions suggests to really pack light in order to make it easier on ourselves (weight wise), but here I am (guilty fashionista) with likely way more clothes than recommended.  Oh well, its not like the directors or anyone else has to carry my bags.  I’ll just have to be a trooper and deal with the consequences of the weight of my multiple outfits.  (but hey, how could i resist!  Come on, Italy?  its practically the most fashionable place on earth! :P  )  

wow, I better stop. I’m beginning to sound high-maintenance or something! (i’m not I swear!! I just like clothes!! hahaha )

Anyways, signing off for now. Probably will write again within the next day or two on the first leg of my journey!!!

-Kaylin