Weekly Update!

Ciao Ciao!!

We have been super busy in our last month in Italy!

1. Both of us have had visitors the past weeks. Maggie's Brother, Andrew and girlfriend Katie, came to Italy for the week. The arrived in Rome and stayed at our apartment for 2 days (luckily our other roommates were in Greece for the weekend-so we had room). We spent both days showing them the lay of the land and visiting all our favorite restaurants (and gelato stands). It was exhausting and exciting to show people where we have lived for the past 4 months! After conquering Rome in 2 action-packed days- we took the train to Florence for Easter!

We met up with Betsy, Jessie, and Amy Mckenny (Betsy's mom!!) We were able to make it to the Piazza Duomo- where we got to witness the "Burst of the Carriage" (this is the most famous ceremony of Florentine Easter that dates back to times of the first crusades.) There was a huge carriage that was carried in by GIGANTIC white Ox. The carriage was then fired with a fuse and there was a explosion of fireworks. (yes, Fireworks for Easter!) What a cool celebration to see!

After the ceremony, we made our way to a italian "Easter brunch." It was so nice to have friends and some family around on a day when you are usually surrounded by your entire family! We enjoyed lunch and toured around Florence for the afternoon. It began to rain, so everyone went back to their apartments/hotels and took a Easter nap. After, we were treated to one of the best dinners we have ever had by the Mckenny's! It is a hole in the wall restaurant in Florence and all the walls were covered with pictures of celebrities who have also dined there- We felt like royalty! It was defiantly a Easter to remember!!

Andrew and Katie left from Florence to begin their week long adventure of Italy- to Venice and then finally ending back in Rome the following Friday!

2. Sara's Mom arrived that Tuesday back in Rome!! Words could not explain the excitement she was feeling!! The rest of Sara's family arrived that Thursday. (Sister Annie, Aunt Marcia, and Cousin Katie) They also, spend a few days touring rome with their pedometer averaging about 8 miles of walking a day!! From there they took a train north and explored Assissie, Capri, Sorento and Ended in Florence where Maggie was with Betsy and Jessie. (More to come...)

3. While sara was off exploring Italy with her family, Maggie, Betsy, and Jessie went to Cinque Terre (which means 5 lands) for the day! It was another breathtaking place!! Its along the Italian Riviera and composed of five villages (Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Monarola, and Riomaggiore.

All these villages surround hillsides of the Mediterranean Sea . Walking paths, boats, and trains connect all the villages going through rugged, steep landscapes that go right up to the cliffs overlooking the sea. It was beautiful! We walked from village to village busying souvenirs and trying all the local food.

4. The Iceland's Eyjafjallajokull (try and say that 3 times fast!) volcano has hindered some travel in Europe. Luckily we have already traveled north this semester and didn't have any trips booked!! The Rome airport is still open, but some flights have been delayed. We are keeping our fingers crossed that Sara's family makes it home okay and Maggie's Parents arrived on time in 2 weeks! School is also pretty empty due to students being stranded up north- hopefully everyone gets home safe!

5. We have noticed a lot lately how crazy Rome has become. We think the tourist season is in full swing. Ever since Easter, our direct path to Old Bridge Gelato has had a few obstacles of tour groups along the way! We were talking the other day how we remember back in January when would walk through St. Peters Square and were the only ones there- so crazy!

6. There are only two weeks of school left- and then one week of finals (yes, we do have finals while studying abroad :( We cannot believe it!! Looking at the calendar we can't even being to imagine where the time has gone. It feels like just yesterday we walked into our apartment for the first time completely clueless!

7. Next weekend Sara, Maggie, and Betsy are going to the Amalfi Coast! This is a stretch of coastline on the Sorrentine Peninsula of Italy! Hopefully it will be full of cliff jumping and laying on the beach all day (sunscreen included). Can't wait to tell you all about it!

Chow Chow,

xoxox

M and S