Gypsy Feet: April 2011

Exchange Students

I'm incredibly fortunate to have had the opportunity to teach exchange students throughout my career. I have such admiration for these kids, willing to take on the adventure of living in a foreign country for an entire year of high school. One of my previous students, F, came from Lecco, Italy. She graciously told me all about the beauty of her home and encouraged me to come visit. It took me a few years, but I finally made it out there. She's right - it is spectacular! Thanks, F!

On the Road, Again

When in the Italian Alps with a convertible, the *only* option is to drive those beautiful mountainous roads up to Bellagio. Most of these images were taken as we drove with the top down, me hanging out of the car:

Once we reached Bellagio, we stopped for some lunch (pizza and wine) in a place that seemed to scream out that we were meant to eat there:

Oh yes, the doners were following us! Once again, a Bulgarian reminder.

Across the street from the restaurant, was a beautiful cemetery where we spent some time remembering, thinking...

As the sun dropped behind the clouds, we caught a fabulous glimpse of real life which only solidified what seemed to be the theme of the week: Seriously, people live here?

Dinner in Lugano? Yes, please.

One of my favorite things about being in Europe is the proximity and ease of country-hopping. When I found myself unexpectedly renting a car in Bergamo and realized what a short, easy drive it was to Switzerland, it was an easy decision to head to Lugano for the evening. I'd heard it was beautiful, but words really don't come close to capturing the magnificence of this city.

Seriously. People live here.

Lake Como: No, I didn't meet George Clooney.

Images of the beautiful city of Como and Como Lago:

As I was enjoying the scenic vistas of Como Lago, Bulgaria wanted to remind me that she wasn't so far away. Below is a school created by Pencho Slovekov, the very same as my buddy for which Solvekov Square is named.

Sofia: The More Things Change, The More They Stay the Same

Other than riding the new metro out to Mladost (life altering!), Sofia wasn't any different than two years ago. Surprisingly both my geography and Bulgarian were up to par, providing for pleasant taxi experiences and tours.

I got to eat at all of my favorite places, including the doner stand in Mladost 1A by my old apartment, Под липите, and Annette. But more importantly, I got to spend time (not nearly enough!) with my favorite people, J&M and the boys, J, and R.

Mama still guards campus. She likes me much better now that I arrive sans-Arissa.

Pretty much everyone who heard I was traveling to Bulgaria for my February vacation thought I was crazy. "Why would you go to Sofia?" I won't deny that it's an unusual choice, or that it's a touch place to live, but I'm grateful both for the opportunity to have lived there, and for the chance to go back and share it as a tourist. Seeing the city through new eyes, it's a place that exists now in more than just stories, but is immortalized forever in sensory experiences and, of course, (get 'er done, JDS) Sofia BINGO :)

The real Venice

Everyone raves about the beauty of Venice. Most people I know count it as their favorite Italian city. This was my second trip (my first was back in July 2005) and it certainly was a different experience. Venice during Carnivale barely resembles the tourist-filled hot box it becomes in the summer. Instead, it's a city filled with locals living their lives, proud to be Venetian.