Monday, July 5, 2010

57 Days Left Stateside...

As usual, my mom gave me my latest fantastic idea. As I'm preparing to leave for the year, I'm going to virtually journal my experience as I prepare to leave and while I'm abroad. That way, everyone I love can share in my once in a lifetime experience.

As of today, I have 57 days left stateside. My flight is booked with Alitalia for August 31st at 5p.m! I leave from NYC, stop over in Roma, and finally land in Firenze on early Wednesday morning. I have my passport - with a much more attractive picture than my chunky, 15 year-old portrait. Thank God, that passport can be permanently destroyed. I'm still finishing up my VISA application which should be done by next week. That application is such a hassle. Advice for anyone traveling abroad and in need of a VISA: start early and stay on top of it. It's obnoxious.

I have a couple things I need to start picking up like a new camera. Since I'm such a dork, I bought a bigger postcard book. My old one was on overflow and this one is about half way done already. I have postcards in there from when I was in grammar school. My goal is to be able to finish off the book by the end of my year abroad. I haven't even begun to pack yet. I'll say I'm going to start that process next week, but I know it won't be done until the morning I leave.

I have two "holidays" already planned. I'm traveling to Switzerland and Lake Como in late September. In early October, I'm traveling to Nice, Montecarlo, and the French Riviera. I already told my mom that I'll have a glass of champagne in honor of her birthday that weekend. That will be two more place for my postcard book. I want to travel to London, Paris, Madrid, Athens, Istanbul, Berlin, Dublin... I want to travel to as many places as I possibly can. After fall semester ends, my plan is to travel down the west coast of Italy meeting scattered members of my family. I want to end up in Sicily where my Nonno was born so I can attend Christmas Eve Mass in the cathedral he painted.

My Nonno and Nonna are one of the biggest reasons I picked to travel to Italy for study abroad. I want to see where I came from, how I ended up where I am today, where my grandparents grew up, my family history. I want to be able to be a part of that history and know that part of my grandparents. I've wanted to travel abroad since I was a child, but in the past couple years I've wanted to connect with my heritage more than just study abroad.

I don't know anyone I'm going with. I don't know the language well enough to claim to be able to speak it. I've never even been to the city. I'm just picking up and moving across the ocean. It's going to be an amazing adventure. I can't wait. Fifty seven days and counting...

15 comments:

  1. You have Nonna, Uncle Michael and I all choked up as I read this aloud to them. I simply love that you are doing this for yourself and for all of us to get to experience your once-in-a-lifetime experience. Ciao Bella! xoxo

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  2. Good luck & god bless on your new journey. Looking forward to your new adventures~

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  3. I am going to be cruising in May next year and visiting several ports along the Italian coast, who knows if you are near the Leaning Tower of Pisa when I visit perhaps we can get a photo of us together, what story for your children that would be.

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  4. i found your blog through your mom - excited to read vicariously about your adventure; this is something i've always wanted to do!

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  5. You will love Florence; it is a wonderful city, full of life. I look forward to reading your blog and wish a wonderful adventure. Be sure to travel around; it's cheap and the trains are wonderful.

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  6. I can't wait to read of your exciting adventures. Take a lot of pictures of the frescos your grandpa-great painted. Please remember you are traveling for all of us, lol, so enchant us with beautiful pictures and words. I hope it is truly the trip of a lifetime for you, and that you are blessed with extraordinary adventures.
    Have fun,
    Theresa @ Cottage Violets

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  7. Ciao bella- I left San Francisco in 1984 and came to visit Florence and never left! Your mom has me on her blog list, I teach cooking and do market tours in Florence--- email me!

    I am not Italian- but after 26 years here... and an Italian husband, think I have become Italian.
    I go to Sicily often too!!! I am leaving again on Friday for a long weekend-
    My words of advice- RYAN AIR!!!!
    See you here-- you will love it- Judy
    DIvina Cucina- Florence

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  8. Found you on your Mom's facebook page. You're going to love Florence, it's my favourite city in the world, away from home!

    If you get a chance - while you're in the general area, you won't be disappointed if you visit Verona. It's beautiful, and I think, a well-kept secret.

    Wow, going to Sicily too! That will be interesting - my dad's side of the family are from there, and they speak entirely different Italian to the rest of Italy, lol!

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  9. Hi Jessica,
    It's so nice to meet you. I'm so looking forward to your year abroad. I almost feel like I'm going, too! This will be the best time of your life. I was off on my own and all alone at your age too and now, 30 years later, I'm still talking about it and how it was the happiest time ever. Be safe, work hard, and be happy.

    Best wishes,
    Catherine

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  10. Hi Jessica, I am Tom's teacher. Grandparents on both sides came from Sicily. I visited Palermo and would like to go back again. My daughter is getting married next year and going to Venice and other Mediterranean countries in May.

    Pack light. Bon Voyage. What a wonderful opportunity to meet fabulous people in person and on-line.

    love, Marie Corso Conway

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  11. Bon Vogage, Jessica!

    Love, Marie Corso Conway (Tom's teacher)

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  12. ciao,scrivo dalla sicilia.lo scorso anno mio fglio di 17 anni ha fatto un progetto di excange student in colorado,l'esperienza è stata meraviglioa.nonpreoccuparti,l'italia è bellissima e se hai bisogno di informazioni io sono qui

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  13. Wow, lovely post.Enjoy your trip!

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  14. Jessica, I am very excited for you! We are here in Berlin and would be happy to see you here, so keep us in mind when you plan your excursions...we have room for you, and you can bring a friend! We hope you will take advantage of us. XOXOXOXOX cousins Laura, Oliver, Marie Alba and Giulia

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