Busy Weekends --> Empty Bank

   
     It's definitely been a jam packed few weeks. I accidentally set off the fire alarm in our apartment for the third time (amazing culinary skills right here), visited Switzerland, Slovenia, and Venice, emptied out my bank account, and, most importantly, fell in love.  Honestly, I never really considered love to been in the cards for a good long while, but, after my weekend in Ljubljana, Slovenia, I think it has found it's way back into my heart. Allow me to introduce Bruce. He loves cuddling, gives amazing hugs, and always makes you feel valued always. He's just a big softy. Also.
                               IS HE NOT THE CUTEST DOGGO IN THAT SWEATER???

    There has been a noticeable lack in my life of interactions with dogs lately, so, having a whole weekend to cuddle with one was very much needed for my mental health. People take their dogs everywhere here in Europe. Literally everywhere: in grocery stores, restaurants, clothing stores, banks, museums. In the same way that Europeans and Americans act differently, so do their pets. These pups are SO well behaved it's ridiculous. People let them wander without a leash all the time in the streets and in shops. But I have yet been able to build up the courage to try to pet a European doggo. Apparently Italians think Americans are a tad weird for wanting to pet every doggo they see. It makes us seem like we are obsessed with them, which.... I mean... is not exactly inaccurate...

    Switzerland and Slovenia can now be crossed off my list of places to visit (although they definitely require a second trip if I ever have money again). Both were beautiful in their own way, surrounded on all sides by those massive, majestic Alps. My roommates and I put on our adult-y pants and planned our own weekend trip to Interlaken, Switzerland, specifically for the purpose of paragliding. I emptied my bank account faster than a box of Boston Creme donuts because of that trip; however, to be able to soar over the Alps mountains was an experience I know I'll never forget. There is an age limit of around 60 years for all paragliders. Hopefully I'll be able to glide many more times before then. If you ever get the chance, go paragliding. Seriously... Do it. I also highly recommend a nice relaxing sit alongside the shore of Lake Brienz, which provides a stunning backdrop for you to consider all of the existential questions in your life by.

    Visiting Slovenia, I travelled by myself for the first time since being here which was so nerve-wracking. In Italy, once you leave the touristy areas, most people only speak Italian. I guessed and Google Translated my way through the entire trip, even making a wonderful friend along the way! Her name was Mara and she is now one of my first official Italian friends. We sat next to each other on our first bus from Florence and ended up chilling in a cafe together while waiting for our connecting busses. Despite the fact that she didn't know much English and my Italian was pathetic, we became quick friends (Shoutout to Google-Translate for being the bomb.com). Arriving in Ljubljana, it turned out that I had visited during their "Slovenian Marti Gras", which is basically a cooler version of Halloween. Every year, people from all over gather to celebrate this festival, specifically with the intention of 'scaring away the winter' with their costumes. (Honestly, the weather back home makes me desperate enough to consider bringing this tradition back to the states). Everyone poured into the city square dressed as all manner of creatures: fairies, superman, ninjas, Shrek and Cousin-It looking things (see below for photo evidence). I had a blast watching the festivities with Bruce's WONDERFUL family and stuffing my face with a traditional Slovene donut filled with chocolate fudge and topped with melted chocolate icing for good measure. (Shockingly enough, all my jeans still fit! They're only slightly snug..)

    Now Venice... Venice was beautiful. And apparently still sinking. Officials are working around the clock, our tour guide told us, to try to keep the entire city from becoming Atlantis 2.0, but I guess we will just have to wait and see. It is completely true when they say that getting lost amongst the streets of Venice is the easiest thing a tourist could do there. We wandered for quite a bit through the twists and turns, squeezing in between impossibly thin alleyways and under walkways so short they made me feel like Mrs. Sasquatch. We explored souvenir markets to find the perfect Carnival Masks and also tried pizza as large as our face (it was delicious, in case you were wondering). My favorite part of the day, however, was the gondola ride (and dinner.. that was amazing too). While our gondolier did not serenade us (much to my disappointment), he take us through some of the twisting, watery alleyways of Venice. We were able to get a different perspective of the city that I found quite charming.

    Murano and Burano were both just as alluring as the main island of Venice, if not more so. Burano, a teensy island filled with brightly colored houses of every hue, shade, and value, was a photographer's/artist's/ instagram-model's paradise. Legend has it that fisher-wives used to paint their homes those vibrant colors to make it easier for their husbands who were returning from sea to find their way home. Little did those fisher-wives know that in 2019, tourists from all over the world would be waltzing through every street and alley, hunting for the perfect house to take the most instagram-worthy photo in front of. (I am unashamed to admit that I found a quaint, bright yellow house for my photo-- see below). Hopefully someday I'll be able to return to Burano with some paints and canvas in hand to capture the colors for myself.

   
    While traveling every weekend is a blast, my exhausted body is now looking forward to this upcoming weekend of rest and relaxation in Florence. I'm hoping to go watch Captain Marvel on Saturday (LITERALLY SO EXCITED) and possibly check out more museums and churches. There is an endless supply of them here. That is how I spend most of my days now (when I am not in school, of course), wandering around Florence with my sketchbook, spending a few hours in one church, a few more hours in another. Maybe walking 20,000+ steps a day is the reason why my pants still fit (mostly) after a month and a half of chocolate croissants and pizza. In my upcoming posts, I want to tell whoever is still reading this blog (Hiii Mom and Dad) about the normal Italian day, Italian culture, my classes, and a few interesting phenomena. So... stay tuned

    As much fun Florence is, I do miss home. I hope all ya'll are doing well and surviving the cold!

      Ciao, Ciao,

            Leah


                                                                          Switzerland:

Slovenia:

Venice: