Paris is Paris

Ciao a tutti,

I love this city. Everywhere you turn you see something stunning and it makes you wonder if this is all a big dream, a sick joke someone is playing on you, or something else tragic that could ruin the moment of enjoying every blink of your eye.

I titled this post "Paris is Paris" because, well, Paris is Paris and there is no other city on Earth that is quite as beautiful. I think you could spend your entire life in this city and not discover everything it offers; it's just that big and that beautiful!

I have had a spectacular, fun-filled, wild, exciting, dramatic, and even educational two weeks in Paris and I still have one week remaining.

Tomorrow we take a full-day visit to Versailles and this was probably the third day I was most excited for. I promise I'll take as many pictures if they allow it.

I'm sorry I haven't been updating my blog lately, I've been so tired every night. We go to the school at 8:00 AM and don't return home until 9:00 PM. After a while, it takes its toll on you.

To all my blog readers, "Ti voglio bene!"
(Use Google Translate)

Buona notte!

AF

Wednesday Word #3

Mi dispiace, I completely forgot about last week's Wednesday Word. I will try not to forget again!

Italian: Ragazze
English: Girls

Why I chose this word: This may seem shallow for me to pick this word, but it's appropriate for me at this moment. I'm in Paris with 15 other "ragazze" and so I figured this would be a perfect for for the time being. They are all nice to me and patient despite the language barriers. My two best friends are the girls with my in the picture at the bottom of this post. Their names are Rachele (pronounced Rakela) and Letizia (pronounced Lateetsia).

My challenge to you:
1. Create a blogger account if you haven't so you are able to comment on my posts
2. Comment on this post using the word "ragazze" in a sentence by Friday.

I'm excited to see your sentences!

My best friends.
Left to Right: Rachele, me, and Letizia.

Have a wonderful day everyone!

Ciao.

AF

The Comparison: Italy vs. France

Ciao a tutti,

I've been in France the same amount of days as I have Italy, so decided this would be an appropriate time to compare the two countries side-by-side and see which traits about each I like better than the other.

Please note: both countries are great; I suggest to you all to try to see them! If I come off disrespectful or biased one way it is completely unintentional. I love both France and Italy!

People
The people in Italy are extremely friendly! Whether you're best friends since diapers or it's the first time you've met them, they typically will be extremely kind and excited to meet you. Once I was standing alone waiting for my host mother and a group approached me and started a conversation. For someone who can be timid and isn't one to run up to a group and join in (like me), this is excellent.
The people in France are nice too, but not as nice and friendly as the Italian population. Or maybe that's just because I've only been here for 10 days in each country.
Italy gets the slight edge in the people comparison.

Tourist Attractions
I've only been in a few cities in Italy and their strength isn't necessarily the tourist attractions they offer.
I'm in Paris. Isn't this enough of an explanation? This is the most toured country and city for good reason; every corner you turn you can find something interesting to do.
France gets my definite vote for the tourist attractions comparison.

Architecture
Italian architecture is beautiful. I'm not educated even the slightest amount on this subject so I cannot go into detail of why I like or why I don't like it, all I can do is stare at its beauty. And it is full of beauty!
French architecture is great too. In fact, I love it! The design of the buildings and churches alongside the Seine River is just indescribable. If you are friends with me on Facebook, I've posted many pictures. If not, I plan on posting a few on my blog.
France gets my vote for the architecture comparison.

Natural Landscape
Italy is full of beautiful landscape. Flying into Catania on my first day of being in Italy was so beautiful. Mountains and valleys and the sea all amaze my eyes. These are three things the area I live in is full of.
France I'm quite sure has beautiful landscape too, just not necessarily in the region I'm currently in.
Italy gets my vote for the natural landscape comparison.

Clothing
This is a hard comparison. I jumped from 90 degree weather to 60 degree weather.
In Italy, people were always wearing warm weather clothing (shocking, isn't it?). Their dressing style includes tight fitting shirts, shorts, and pants.
In France, yes you guess correctly, people dress for colder weather. The girls all wear skinny jeans (of multiple colors) and a coat to keep them warm. I see a few boys who dress like an American boy (sweat pants, t-shirt) but the majority wear jeans (of multiple colors) and a light coat.
From the little I've seen, I give France the vote for the clothing comparison.

Food
This is the hardest comparison of them all. Italy and France have the greatest cuisines in the world. No questions asked.
Italy is most famous for pizza and pasta for good reason. My two meals in Italy were: 1. lasagna 2. pizza. After this, I knew I was set for a good year. But the Italians prepare good meat courses too.
The French are most known for their croissants, pastries, and other types of bread. The French bread is to die for! Crepes is also great. Every meal I've had in each country I have enjoyed!
Both of these countries are unique. For this reason, I must say it is a tie for the food comparison.

Language
Both are romance languages. Both are beautiful, but one is the most beautiful language in the world.
People in Italy speak Italian. If you ever listen to native Italian speakers communicate with each other, you'd fall in love with the language the same way I have. It flows from one word to the next so perfect.
People in France speak French. Again, another beautiful language but in my opinion, not as smooth sounding as Italian. French has been really difficult for me to pick up by just listening.
Italian gets my vote for the language comparison.

My Verdict
It is a tie.
These two cultures with both differences and similarities are too difficult and too close to give an edge on. I love both France and Italy.

I hope you all weren't too disappointed with me not naming a country as the winner; they are just too close to name a winner!

Have a great Sunday everyone.

Until next time, ciao.

AF

The Eiffel Tower

Ciao!

Bonjour!

Yesterday we went to the Eiffel Tower and it was sort of surreal. I've seen picture after picture of the Tower and then once it peaked over the trees and I was well within walking distance, it hit me that I was actually there. We went to the second highest viewing level (still once about halfway up) where we looked around for about 30 minutes. Once we finished looking at the city from a few hundred feet up, we made our way down and then to Champs de Mars where we relaxed for a bit. The picture below was taken here. This is where I will end my post because a picture is worth 1000 words, right?

Buona notte everyone.

Until next time, ciao.

AF

Bonjour De Paris!

Buongiorno!
Wait!
Bonjour!

I write this post to all followers of my blog from Paris, France.

What a beautiful place Paris is! Today is my third day and I love France. I've seen many attractions from street view like The Louvre, Notre Dame Cathedral, Latin Square, Arc de Triomphe, and of course the Eiffel Tower. I'm in Paris because my host mother teaches French at the school I will attend. The school takes visits to countries to better learn the language and so she asked if I would like to come along. Who would say no?

The class is every morning excluding Saturday and Sunday from 8:30 - 11:30 and then we do tourist attractions. I am most excited for The Louvre, cruise on the Seine River, Disneyland, and Versailles. Everything will be fun!

I am in a house my one lady and three girls my age who are in the class too. Be not alarmed, we don't share the same room. I get one all to myself. :) Anyway, they are very nice and despite the language troubles we have a fun time. There names are Sonia, Sara, and Ylenia.

We haven't been to too many attractions, so I don't have much to say besides I'm having fun and French drivers are nowhere near as crazy as the Italians. I also miss the Sicilian weather. But Sicily can wait, I will enjoy Paris for the next three weeks!

More pictures for you!

Sonia!

Sara!

Ylenia!

Beautiful picture of the Alps.

The Eiffel Tower.

The entire group for the Paris trip.

No caption necessary. :) 

Me with the Notre Dame Cathedral in the background.

Beautiful.

I hope you enjoy the pictures. I'm sure I'll have plenty more to upload in the future.

Until next time, au revoir!

AF

Paris

Ciao ciao!

I'm writing this post to inform you all that for the next three weeks, I might not update my blog as often as I have been lately because I will be in Paris, France.

I'm going to Paris with my school for a three-week long French course.

Every morning we have French class for three hours and then in the afternoon we get to do tourist things.

The schedule goes something like this:

Thursday 13: Arrive in Paris and meet host family
Friday 14: Visit the Latin District
Saturday 15: Day with host family
Sunday 16: Day with host family
Monday 17: Eiffel Tower and Champs de Mars
Tuesday 18: Discovery of the Montmartre District
Wednesday 19: Free afternoon
Thursday 20: The Louvre Museum and visit of the Tuileries Gardens
Friday 21: Cruise on the Seine River
Saturday 22: Disneyland Paris
Sunday 23: Day with host family
Monday 24: Champs Elysees and Place Concorde
Tuesday 25: Discover Bercy Villiage
Wednesday 26: Free afternoon
Thursday 27: Visit the Pere Lachaise Cemetery
Friday 28: Notre Dame and Sainte Chapelle
Saturday 29: Versailles
Sunday 30: Day with host family
Monday 1: Visit of the Marais District and Place des Vosges
Tuesday 2: Free afternoon
Wednesday 3: Shopping at the Galleries Lafayette
Thursday 4: Leave Paris 


So until next time, have a great weekend everyone!

AF

Wednesday Word #2

Italian: Andiamo
English: We go/ let's go/ I go

Why I chose this word: I chose the word "andiamo" for two main reasons:
1. I hear it everyday whether that is with my host family or out in the public.
2. "Andiamo" to Paris tomorrow! I will be in Paris for the next three weeks.

I think Italians use andiamo in the place where we would say "ready?" or "here we go" so this is why I chose it for my second Wednesday Word!

My challenge to you is to:
1. Create a blogger account to be able to comment on my posts.
2. Comment on this post and use the word "andiamo" in a sentence by Friday.

Have a great day everyone!

Until next time, ciao!

AF

9/11: A Day To Remember

Ciao,

I'm sorry that this post is one day late, but I feel as if I cannot pass up mentioning a word about this tragic day in American history only 11 years ago.

I remember this day like were yesterday. I was in Kindergarten at St. Thomas Aquinas Elementary and we had received news that something horrific had happened in NYC and Washington. When we out of school, I remember my father picking me up and saying, "Andrew, when you get home, turn on the news channel. There has been a terrorist attack again the USA." So, I did as my father instructed and turned it to CNN where I saw the breaking news that the Twin Towers in NYC had both been hit, and other commercial airplane plans had also been hijacked. This is all I remember, I wish I could remember more.

I thought about this for a long time over the past week or so, and I believe this was the saddest day in American history. Yes, the crash of the stock market was awful, the bay of pigs was a disaster, but 11 years ago, when America was attacked blindly by al-Qaeda and some of its members, the country was turned upside down. No one expected this dreadful event to happen.

Today is day #10 in Italy, and my love for America has grown more and more. Being away from your homeland and your country is tough, and I am proud I'm an American.



God Bless you all, and God Bless America.

AF

One Week in Italy

Buona sera a tutti,

One week it has been. I went out of my normal way of living; I took on a completely different lifestyle and hoped for the best. Exactly seven days ago I took my voyage to, what I consider to be, the most fascinating place and culture on this Earth. This has been an up-and-down seven days, but I'll let you know something: it's on the rise.

The first two, maybe three, or possibly four days were the hardest, no doubt. If you ever have or will travel to a foreign country (preferably non-English speaking), you will know what I mean by the term "culture shock". When you go from rolling hills, cornfields, a town of 6500 people where "everyone knows everyone" and people speak fluent English to a place that is seaside, has a volcano, a city twenty-times the amount of your hometown, and hardly anyone speaks a drop of English, you really get the feeling of being "out of your comfort zone" and very, very alone.

But this was what I signed up for. I didn't expect it to be easy. I expected it to be a challenge, and yes, it has been a real challenge.

But this is good. I am getting more used to the people, the culture, and yes, even the language.

Each day gets easier for me. Not that I don't miss my friends and family, it's just that I meet new people who help me along this journey, making it easier to keep going.

These past four days have been a lot of fun.

On Thursday I met my group of people that I will go to Paris with. A total of 17 people; 16 girls and 1 boy. By the way, I'm the one boy. I will get a host family and learn French for the next three weeks. I'm excited to compare the cultures and see which I prefer in certain aspects.

On Friday I played basketball with some friends. Please don't let me come off as being boastful, but I did well because basketball is not their first sport. Enough said on the subject; I'm sure you get the point.

On Saturday I read an English paper for my host mother's, friend's, daughter's English class for college. I like to read and review so it was nice to be able to do that in English once again. After this, we all went beach side and swam for about an hour. Later that night we ate pizza. Yum!

Today, on Sunday we went snorkeling in water that was of 25 feet depth; this was one of my favorite things I've done thus far. To see life underwater and knowing this is their home is a beautiful thing. I want to go again, and soon! After snorkeling we went to Noto, a stunning city South of Siracusa. I took pictures,  (which I will upload on a later date) of this beautiful city.

It was a good first seven days. Both ups and downs, the way I see this entire year being. Through the hard times and good times I know that I can always turn to my friends, my family, and of course my God and my Savior Jesus Christ. So I thank you all for supporting me in the past, present, and future.

Thank you so much for reading my blog. I love to read and write and it's nice to know that someone out there cares enough to read it. Grazie mille!

Until next time, ciao.

AF

Pictures For You

Buona sera!

I'm sorry it has taken me so long to upload pictures! Blogger has a weird way of uploading pictures; instead of just uploading them, you have to take it through their Internet server. If that makes no sense, I am sorry. But no worries, I found a way around the system.

Okay, I'll put the pictures in chronological order, from the time I boarded the plane on Saturday morning, until earlier today at Plemmirio.

Some last-minute studying!

Sicily!

My final destination: Catania!
Mt. Etna in the background of Catania

My little sister for the next nine months, Elena.

My first meal in Italia: lasagna!

The view from my room!
Yes, that is the Mediterranean Sea

Beautiful Catholic Church.

Swimming in the Mediterranean Sea. :)

What a beautiful picture.
Nature in its purest form is stunning.

2000 year old Greek ruins.
The history is so rich in this city.

A picture in my room of my Confirmation Saint, Padre Pio.
Irony? I think not.
A gift from God? I think so.
No, I know so.

Me, seaside with Ortigia in the background.
Wearing my SDSU apparel in Siracusa!

Probably my favorite thing thus far, visiting Plemmirio.
I wanted to cliff jump so bad but I didn't bring my swimming suit!

About a 40 or 50 foot drop.

Plemmirio again.
Cliff jumping would be so fun!

That's all the pictures I will post for now. Be sure to write me your sentence using the word "pazzo" by tomorrow! Thanks everyone!

Until next time, ciao!

AF

Wednesday Word #1

Italian: Pazzo
English: Crazy

Why I chose this word: I was at the school today for the first time today where I took a preliminary test for the Paris trip in 8 days. When the class was over, I was standing alone looking at the posters of Siracusa while my host mother, Maria Grazia finished a few things. A group of five girls approached me and said, "Andrew, why are you alone?" So we started to talk (in English) and then one of the girls fell against the wall. Her friend said "Tu sei pazzo!" which translates to "You are crazy!" So I made note of that, making it my first Wednesday Word.

My challenge to you is to:
1. Create a blogger account to be able to comment on my posts.
2. Comment on this post and use the word "pazzo" in a sentence by Friday.

Have a great day everyone!

Until next time, ciao!

AF

First Post in Italia

Buongiorno!

This is my first post when I'm not in the USA. Today is day #3 in Siracusa and I am getting more and more used to it everyday. The language is tough, yes; the sudden switch of cultures is a change, yes; and the weird looks I get when walking through the streets of Siracusa are unwelcoming at times, yes. But I will say that I am having a great time thus far and I am very excited to see what this year has in-store for me. So now I'll give you a (somewhat) brief summary of days 1, 2, and 3.

Day zero: I am going to call Saturday "day zero" since I wasn't technically in Siracusa, therefore my exchange hadn't officially started. So on day zero I woke up at 3:30 AM, got dressed, made sure everything was in order, and then left the house at 4:30 AM for Sioux Falls, SD. Once I got the Sioux Falls, I said goodbye to my family and friends who went to the airport to send me away, and boarded plane number 1 of 4. Once I reached Minneapolis, I went to Caribou Coffee to get something to eat and drink. While at a table, I saw my travel partner, Mats Hansen so I called his name at we met for the first time. We boarded plane number 2 of 4 and we went to Toronto. In Toronto we ate at a small place called "Toast" and then found our gate. 3 hours of waiting really is boring.

Day one: We boarded plane number 3 of 4 for Rome, a massive airplane! Once in Rome, we rechecked security and went to our gate. On plane 4 of 4, the anxiety was building and we were both ready to get off the planes at land in Catania. 30 hours of travel is very tiring! Once in Catania, we waited for about an hour for our bags, some people never got theirs. After the bags were collected, I found my new host family. Giovanni and Elena picked me up from the airport. We loaded the car, went to Siracusa and there my host mother, Maria Grazia, was waiting at the door. We ate lasagna for lunch at the flat and then went to Ortigia where we had pizza for supper. I laid down that night exhausted.

Day two: I stayed at home and played Monopoly with Elena. I am very, very bad and she is very, very good! I think she ended with 75 million dollars and I had -45 million. We took Perla for a walk and relaxed for the day.

Day three: It's only 3:00 PM here so I haven't done much. We're going to the beach soon!

Sorry this post was so short, once school starts I'm sure I'll have a lot to write about.

Come back tomorrow for the "Wednesday Word of the Week"

Thanks for reading my blog! I miss everyone at home but I am enjoying Siracusa so I'm not too homesick thus far.

Until tomorrow, grazie, e ciao a tutti!

AF

P.S. The Internet is slow so I'm not able to upload pictures at this time. We'll fix it soon so you can see this beautiful place too! Arrivederci!