Trying not to get too far behind!
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/18720728/Blog%20March%2029%202011.pdf
Peace, love, and limoncello!
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Monday, March 28, 2011
Florence Cooking Class
Cheers to those who love to cook!
Here is my entry on the Italian cooking class I took, complete with converted recipes of the courses I learned to cook.
Love to all. Buon Appetito!
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/18720728/Blog%20March%2028%202011.pdf
Here is my entry on the Italian cooking class I took, complete with converted recipes of the courses I learned to cook.
Love to all. Buon Appetito!
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/18720728/Blog%20March%2028%202011.pdf
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Dan's Visit to Florence!
I'm really motivated to get caught up on blog posts because I still have the cooking class post to go and now I have lots to say about Sorrento and Pompeii so I don't want to get too far behind! Let me know if anyone has any trouble with the new formatting- I'm still using drop box to copy/paste the link and it should download for you...but this one will download as a PDF instead of a word document. Something new I am trying because it's easier to format pictures in Microsoft Publisher than Microsoft Word!
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/18720728/Blog%20March%2026%202011.pdf
Love to everyone! I would love any/all updates from people so please send me emails!
Megan
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/18720728/Blog%20March%2026%202011.pdf
Love to everyone! I would love any/all updates from people so please send me emails!
Megan
Friday, March 25, 2011
Pisa
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/18720728/Blog%20March%2025%202011.docx
Sorry for the recent lack of posts. Hopefully 2 more to follow shortly! 2 weeks left of classes and Italy, which is hard to believe!
Megan
Sorry for the recent lack of posts. Hopefully 2 more to follow shortly! 2 weeks left of classes and Italy, which is hard to believe!
Megan
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Bistecca Fiorentina
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/18720728/Blog%20March%2015%202011.docx
Florentine steak = AMAZING!!!!
Florentine steak = AMAZING!!!!
Sunday, March 13, 2011
Free days in Florence
Here's an update that should bring everything up to speed. Love to all!
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/18720728/Blog%20March%2013%202011.docx
I'm really looking forward to this week (despite the forecasted rain for the beginning of the week) because Dan arrives to visit on Friday morning and because I booked an Italian cooking class for next Monday! 4 course meal, for 4 hours- some kids in my group already took a pasta making class at the same cooking school and said it was fantastic so I have high hopes :-)
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/18720728/Blog%20March%2013%202011.docx
I'm really looking forward to this week (despite the forecasted rain for the beginning of the week) because Dan arrives to visit on Friday morning and because I booked an Italian cooking class for next Monday! 4 course meal, for 4 hours- some kids in my group already took a pasta making class at the same cooking school and said it was fantastic so I have high hopes :-)
Saturday, March 12, 2011
For Hannah Stroup
Shout out to Hannah Stroup, Elise Favrot, and my other Kappa friends who read this. This one's for you guys!!! The fleur-de-lis is the symbol of the city-- and from what I'm told, was actually the symbol of the city long before the Medici family married French royalty.
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/18720728/Blog%20Kappa%20Pics.docx
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/18720728/Blog%20Kappa%20Pics.docx
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
stupid freaking internet
I've been trying to upload this all day, but the internet has been terrible. I bought a mobile internet drive (several other people in my group did, and theirs worked great) but leave it to the one I purchased to not work and be a pain in the butt.
So, here is an update from Florence that was supposed to be posted on March 6th....I just didn't get around to finishing it til early this afternoon.
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/18720728/Blog%20March%206%202011.docx
Happy early birthday to my wonderful mother!! I love you so much!!!
So, here is an update from Florence that was supposed to be posted on March 6th....I just didn't get around to finishing it til early this afternoon.
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/18720728/Blog%20March%206%202011.docx
Happy early birthday to my wonderful mother!! I love you so much!!!
Monday, March 7, 2011
Florence Leather Market
The Florence leather market is a sensory experience: hundreds of leather jackets, wallets and purses displayed, tempting you with their pungent aroma and soft feel. Stalls line either side of the street, with actual leather stores in the buildings behind the carts. Rain or shine, the vendors are there, peddling their goods. Even though the majority of the city shuts down on Sundays, in respect to the Roman Catholic Sabbath, the leather market is still open for business. It is a booming economy in the city, and primarily relies on the tourism industry to bring in new customers daily.
The leather market is governed by haggling: if a price is not written down, you can assume it is a soft price and open for negotiation. Even smaller items, like sunglasses and keychains, can be bought for a bargain. Larger items, primarily jackets, have exponentially inflated price tags. Every vendor seems to have sales: they promise student discounts; but if you listen as they talk to the people around you, they also have honeymoon discounts, senior citizen discounts, and discounts “for people they like”. The flexibility and amount of haggling varies by the hour. When sales are up, it is much more difficult to wheedle your way into a bargain. Weekends, holidays, and sunny warm days all increase sales, so it is best if you have the time and patience to wait for an unpleasant day in order to get the best deals.
Flattery is deceitful at each and every stall. The salesmen are smooth talking and work quickly. They shower you in compliments; if you can resist purchasing anything, just walking through the leather market is a huge ego boost. Walking down the strip, you are addressed as beautiful, honey, and dear, and suddenly your body is perfect for any style jacket or purse. You are glamorous and sexy. You are also nothing more than a money making opportunity to these men, so take it in stride and be consciously aware of their tricks if you intend to make purchases.
If you intend to buy a jacket, know that the vending carts are nothing more than extended store front windows. If you look around and notice, there is not a single person trying on a jacket at the stall itself. The peddlers with the carts are there to entice you to look at their goods, try on a jacket, feel the leather. Once they have wrangled you in, they corral you into their store where there are full length mirrors and a larger selection of products. This way, whatever final deal they cut you seems more personal, and it prevents anyone on the street from hearing the final cost of the jacket.
Once in the store, the average Florentine leather salesman becomes part magician, part psychologist. Selling a leather jacket is a game: they must flatter the customer and convince them how much they want to buy a particular jacket, but they must not lose the sale or bargain the price too low. Even within the same store, there is competition amongst the salesmen; they clearly receive commission off each jacket sold.
To start, the salesman asks what is your favorite color, or if you have something in mind for a jacket. Whatever information you give him: the game has begun. From here, he is watching your body language and reaction to every jacket you try on. He is most complimentary of whatever jacket you are most enamored with at a given moment. If your interests change, suddenly his compliments do too. If you try on a bomber style jacket and seem to like it, he will have you model the coat, and tell you that it fits your figure perfectly. If upon trying on the next coat you find that you prefer a more tailored and feminine cut, he will tell you that the other jacket was not an everyday jacket, that this one is more versatile, and that this jacket makes you look sexier. You must listen to his compliments very closely and watch how they mimic your body language. He tries to appear humble when offering his opinion, saying, ‘If I may, signorina, this jacket is perfect on you. See how the leather stretches and moves with your body? It was made for you’, all while manipulating you into a purchase.
In order to demonstrate that each jacket is real leather, handmade and not chemically soaked, the salesmen bring out their secret weapons: scissors and lighters. In a big showy affair, they demonstrate that the leather can neither be burned nor scratched up. For those not used to the trick, it seems impressive and magical; it validates the quality of their product and seems to make the salesmen more trustworthy.
You can play along with his game too though, if you are smart. For jackets and purses alike: never let him know how much you love any single item. You must pretend as though it is disposable to you and that you can leave his stall and find another one just as good at a stall down the street. Pretend that it is flawed and not exactly what you wanted, and he will lower his price to entice you to make a purchase. Once you have him focused on selling to you, start to leave and he will often call out a lower price in hopes that you won’t go. Be confident in what price you ask for. If the salesman senses that you are willing to pay more or are hesitant in offering this price, he will walk all over you and demand much more. Lie and say that it is the only money in your wallet, or that you need the money to buy your lunch that day. Always carry your cash in smaller bills so you can pull out exactly what you need to and he will never know how much you actually have. Remember this is all about mind games and deceit; ultimately you have the final say because you are the one spending money.
Another update with pictures to come soon! I have a midterm tomorrow and 2 papers due at the end of the week, so unfortunately I haven't updated my blog as often as I wanted to!
The leather market is governed by haggling: if a price is not written down, you can assume it is a soft price and open for negotiation. Even smaller items, like sunglasses and keychains, can be bought for a bargain. Larger items, primarily jackets, have exponentially inflated price tags. Every vendor seems to have sales: they promise student discounts; but if you listen as they talk to the people around you, they also have honeymoon discounts, senior citizen discounts, and discounts “for people they like”. The flexibility and amount of haggling varies by the hour. When sales are up, it is much more difficult to wheedle your way into a bargain. Weekends, holidays, and sunny warm days all increase sales, so it is best if you have the time and patience to wait for an unpleasant day in order to get the best deals.
Flattery is deceitful at each and every stall. The salesmen are smooth talking and work quickly. They shower you in compliments; if you can resist purchasing anything, just walking through the leather market is a huge ego boost. Walking down the strip, you are addressed as beautiful, honey, and dear, and suddenly your body is perfect for any style jacket or purse. You are glamorous and sexy. You are also nothing more than a money making opportunity to these men, so take it in stride and be consciously aware of their tricks if you intend to make purchases.
If you intend to buy a jacket, know that the vending carts are nothing more than extended store front windows. If you look around and notice, there is not a single person trying on a jacket at the stall itself. The peddlers with the carts are there to entice you to look at their goods, try on a jacket, feel the leather. Once they have wrangled you in, they corral you into their store where there are full length mirrors and a larger selection of products. This way, whatever final deal they cut you seems more personal, and it prevents anyone on the street from hearing the final cost of the jacket.
Once in the store, the average Florentine leather salesman becomes part magician, part psychologist. Selling a leather jacket is a game: they must flatter the customer and convince them how much they want to buy a particular jacket, but they must not lose the sale or bargain the price too low. Even within the same store, there is competition amongst the salesmen; they clearly receive commission off each jacket sold.
To start, the salesman asks what is your favorite color, or if you have something in mind for a jacket. Whatever information you give him: the game has begun. From here, he is watching your body language and reaction to every jacket you try on. He is most complimentary of whatever jacket you are most enamored with at a given moment. If your interests change, suddenly his compliments do too. If you try on a bomber style jacket and seem to like it, he will have you model the coat, and tell you that it fits your figure perfectly. If upon trying on the next coat you find that you prefer a more tailored and feminine cut, he will tell you that the other jacket was not an everyday jacket, that this one is more versatile, and that this jacket makes you look sexier. You must listen to his compliments very closely and watch how they mimic your body language. He tries to appear humble when offering his opinion, saying, ‘If I may, signorina, this jacket is perfect on you. See how the leather stretches and moves with your body? It was made for you’, all while manipulating you into a purchase.
In order to demonstrate that each jacket is real leather, handmade and not chemically soaked, the salesmen bring out their secret weapons: scissors and lighters. In a big showy affair, they demonstrate that the leather can neither be burned nor scratched up. For those not used to the trick, it seems impressive and magical; it validates the quality of their product and seems to make the salesmen more trustworthy.
You can play along with his game too though, if you are smart. For jackets and purses alike: never let him know how much you love any single item. You must pretend as though it is disposable to you and that you can leave his stall and find another one just as good at a stall down the street. Pretend that it is flawed and not exactly what you wanted, and he will lower his price to entice you to make a purchase. Once you have him focused on selling to you, start to leave and he will often call out a lower price in hopes that you won’t go. Be confident in what price you ask for. If the salesman senses that you are willing to pay more or are hesitant in offering this price, he will walk all over you and demand much more. Lie and say that it is the only money in your wallet, or that you need the money to buy your lunch that day. Always carry your cash in smaller bills so you can pull out exactly what you need to and he will never know how much you actually have. Remember this is all about mind games and deceit; ultimately you have the final say because you are the one spending money.
Another update with pictures to come soon! I have a midterm tomorrow and 2 papers due at the end of the week, so unfortunately I haven't updated my blog as often as I wanted to!
Friday, March 4, 2011
First night in Florence
Who knew that American pop music was an international language? In the States, you hear it on the radio and don’t think much of it; occasionally a song with catchy lyrics gets stuck in your head and you’re humming it for days. When a group of us students decided to head out to a bar or club the first night in Florence, we didn’t really know what to expect. Our arrival in Florence had been extremely anticlimactic. It was drizzling, we were loaded with luggage, and upon arrival at the hotel, we found the layout and accommodations to be disappointing after being spoiled at the Padina Archangelo agritourisima. Personally, I was frustrated because I had expected this hotel to be just as nice if not nicer than our other stays since we are here for the longest time. Instead, we found out that we wouldn’t have access to free internet, I didn’t have a bathtub to do laundry, and our room was extremely hot with a thermostat that didn’t work (since our arrival, everything but the bathtub laundry has been figured out, luckily).
There were two birthdays in the group and of course these two individuals were very set on going out to celebrate. I was hesitant to join: I was tired and knew I had a lot of homework to do (story of my life). Not to mention the bar they had chosen seemed sketchy: someone had been solicited with a flyer advertising Thursday night as International Student night while walking around Florence. The deals seemed too good to be true: free champagne for Internationals, 5 shots for 5 euros, and 5 euro mixed drinks all night long (oh, and the advertisement included a picture of a scantily clad school girl which isn’t really my cup of tea). I was skeptical.
Needless to say, forty-five minutes later I was headed out with ten other Furman students to the Fish Pub. The map showed the pub as being about five blocks away, across the Santa Maria Novella plaza. As we walked alongside the church, we kept hearing all these screechy chirping noises. We looked up to see thousands of bats flying to and from the trees in the courtyard of the church, silhouetted against the moonlit sky. It was eerie, but very cool (and not surprisingly, there were no mosquitoes to be found).
We saw the pub sign lit up from across the street with two big bouncers, arms crossed and smoking, out front. It was a little intimidating, since no one else was waiting to get in. Luckily one of the gentleman in our group became the fearless leader; a knight on the quest for a cheap beer. We walked in and essentially had the pub to ourselves. Although there was some debate on whether to stay or go, we ultimately decided to stay. We congregated at the bar in order to have our promised free champagne and toast to the two birthday girls. A DJ in the back seemed thrilled to have such a big group of students, and he came over, asking for song requests and promising to make birthday announcements later in the night. We pushed together tables and sat down to chat and enjoy our drinks.
About thirty minutes later, another large group of students filed in and apparently brought the party with them. The next thing I know, a cheer ripples through the restaurant as a song with a good beat starts to play. Somehow, despite the bar being small and having no dance floor, a big group of students start dancing. It wasn’t my romanticized idea of a European discotecha, but it was dancing which was enough for me. I had energy to burn and International students to meet.
At first, I couldn’t tell whether the group of students spoke English or not, so we wordlessly joined them in dance. Then the song Black and Yellow (why is it ALWAYS this song? It came on at our first restaurant in Milan, too!) came on and the other students knew all the lyrics, so I figured they either spoke English or were really good at moving their mouths in the shape of the syllables.
We found out that it was a group of college students from Belgium here on a weekend trip for school. It made me a little jealous that just about the coolest weekend trip possible at Furman is to Charleston, but that’s beside the point. The one girl, Olivia spoke really good English and was basically the person who brought the two groups together. In case anyone is planning on travelling to Belgium anytime soon-get your best animal print ready! Four of the girls were all wearing animal print, so apparently it is in fashion there. I had an absolute blast and the DJ kept up a really good mix of songs. The Belgian group went crazy when the DJ played Black Eyed Peas “The Time (Dirty Bit)” and it was probably my favorite song of the whole night. The guys in general really cracked me up last night—to me, stereotypical European guy, white jeans, nice top, that kind of a thing. By the time I was ready to leave (I called it a night fairly early since we started touring at 9 am this morning) the whole bar was hopping with kids of every nationality and ethnic background. I heard at least 4 or 5 different languages last night and no one seemed phased by the language barrier at all because every one was just having a fun time and dancing to good old American pop music. Overall, I had a really good time, and Florence redeemed itself in terms of first impressions :-)
There were two birthdays in the group and of course these two individuals were very set on going out to celebrate. I was hesitant to join: I was tired and knew I had a lot of homework to do (story of my life). Not to mention the bar they had chosen seemed sketchy: someone had been solicited with a flyer advertising Thursday night as International Student night while walking around Florence. The deals seemed too good to be true: free champagne for Internationals, 5 shots for 5 euros, and 5 euro mixed drinks all night long (oh, and the advertisement included a picture of a scantily clad school girl which isn’t really my cup of tea). I was skeptical.
Needless to say, forty-five minutes later I was headed out with ten other Furman students to the Fish Pub. The map showed the pub as being about five blocks away, across the Santa Maria Novella plaza. As we walked alongside the church, we kept hearing all these screechy chirping noises. We looked up to see thousands of bats flying to and from the trees in the courtyard of the church, silhouetted against the moonlit sky. It was eerie, but very cool (and not surprisingly, there were no mosquitoes to be found).
We saw the pub sign lit up from across the street with two big bouncers, arms crossed and smoking, out front. It was a little intimidating, since no one else was waiting to get in. Luckily one of the gentleman in our group became the fearless leader; a knight on the quest for a cheap beer. We walked in and essentially had the pub to ourselves. Although there was some debate on whether to stay or go, we ultimately decided to stay. We congregated at the bar in order to have our promised free champagne and toast to the two birthday girls. A DJ in the back seemed thrilled to have such a big group of students, and he came over, asking for song requests and promising to make birthday announcements later in the night. We pushed together tables and sat down to chat and enjoy our drinks.
About thirty minutes later, another large group of students filed in and apparently brought the party with them. The next thing I know, a cheer ripples through the restaurant as a song with a good beat starts to play. Somehow, despite the bar being small and having no dance floor, a big group of students start dancing. It wasn’t my romanticized idea of a European discotecha, but it was dancing which was enough for me. I had energy to burn and International students to meet.
At first, I couldn’t tell whether the group of students spoke English or not, so we wordlessly joined them in dance. Then the song Black and Yellow (why is it ALWAYS this song? It came on at our first restaurant in Milan, too!) came on and the other students knew all the lyrics, so I figured they either spoke English or were really good at moving their mouths in the shape of the syllables.
We found out that it was a group of college students from Belgium here on a weekend trip for school. It made me a little jealous that just about the coolest weekend trip possible at Furman is to Charleston, but that’s beside the point. The one girl, Olivia spoke really good English and was basically the person who brought the two groups together. In case anyone is planning on travelling to Belgium anytime soon-get your best animal print ready! Four of the girls were all wearing animal print, so apparently it is in fashion there. I had an absolute blast and the DJ kept up a really good mix of songs. The Belgian group went crazy when the DJ played Black Eyed Peas “The Time (Dirty Bit)” and it was probably my favorite song of the whole night. The guys in general really cracked me up last night—to me, stereotypical European guy, white jeans, nice top, that kind of a thing. By the time I was ready to leave (I called it a night fairly early since we started touring at 9 am this morning) the whole bar was hopping with kids of every nationality and ethnic background. I heard at least 4 or 5 different languages last night and no one seemed phased by the language barrier at all because every one was just having a fun time and dancing to good old American pop music. Overall, I had a really good time, and Florence redeemed itself in terms of first impressions :-)
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Hello from Tuscany
In case you haven't heard....Tuscany is absolutely beautiful.
We head to Florence tomorrow night, and will be there for 3 weeks.
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/18720728/Blog%20March%201%202011.docx
Here's an update on the last few days
We head to Florence tomorrow night, and will be there for 3 weeks.
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/18720728/Blog%20March%201%202011.docx
Here's an update on the last few days
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