Entry 2: July 23, 2009

Weekend trip to Italy!

Taking an evening flight to Italy, four other girls and I took off for Venice! Upon arrival we had to take dark back roads to get to our resort. Although later on in the weekend we did find a much safer, quicker way to go! Now I say resort because that’s exactly what it was surprisingly. We were absolutely amazed because we didn’t think it was going to be like this at all- Expedia really hooked us UP!

We woke up the next morning after we slept in of course, and walked out to notice the beach was literally 15 feet away. We decided to then rent bikes and take a stroll down the beach. Among many things the beach had these cute little tiki huts all around and little private dressing huts. Also the roads were very wide because a lot of the usage of them belongs to bikers and scooter riders. After our relaxing day we decided to go into San Marco for dinner. S.Marc’s is the center of Venice and definitely the most touristy of them all. We started in San Marks Square where men would try and give you a rose to mark you as a tourist and making you a mark for others to try and pick pocket or steal from you. We found a nice little Italian place of course outside of the overpriced square area and then wound up just going home fairly early that night.

Starting Saturday we all split into groups. Jodi and I had a laid back morning and then found our way into Murano- The all handmade glass city! Although very pretty, I felt it was all very much the same. All handmade glass in each individual shop. We found a little diner-an Italian diner, where we had lunch and met some of the locals. We also ran into a very pretty Italian male model- his name we don’t know yet but am very determined to find out!

After Murano we hopped on another boat ferry and headed back to San Marco for one last visit. We actually started at Fondamenta Nove and walked through Rialto and all the little cobblestone side streets till we reached S.Marc’s. We did a little shopping (in which I found two of the cutest clutch bags) and then found another little Italian restaurant surrounded by a waist high fence of vines. We caught up with the other three girls and sat and talked about our last night over dinner. After dinner we took the famous Gondola ride. 100 euros for up to 5 people. Personally I think it was way overpriced especially for the short length of time they take you but it was definitely worth it to do it at least once! We then headed home to await our 4 a.m. wake up call to depart home on the 30 minute Alilaguna ride back. I think my favorite part of the trip was the bike riding all through Lido because it was such an extensive self tour basically where all the locals live. The last thing I would say about my trip to Italy, was the food was AMAZING and the gelato was even better!

Entry 1: July 13, 2009
 
Harry Potter Premiere

The highlight of my week! So, apparently this whole Harry Potter scene is like a huge thing over here. I mean I knew people liked the series and all but this was an experience I will never forget. I was very lucky I realized, because one of the guys I met here named James that I had met last week had gotten 2 premiere tickets and had asked me to go Tuesday the 7th! Well unfortunately, it was pouring and even hailing that day right before 6 and I had to be there no later than 6:45. I can remember booking it up and down the tube lines holding my linen pants up looking like a complete goon! James and I quickly rush into the line and when I turned the corner, there was the red carpet lined up to not one, but two huge movie theaters. I never in my life thought I would walk down a red carpet filled with stars and the three main characters of the movie.

The fans were a complete different story as well. I swear there were like a million of them, most decked out completely in yellow and red outfits, face paint, glasses, posters - everything you could imagine! They were all held back by chest high gates holding out pens and books and posters just trying to get an autograph. It really was incredible- the rush of just being able to go where only a select few could, felt so privileging. When we got into the theater that was even a better spot because my excitement just started to grow even more as the lady led us down to the front row! And if that wasn't enough, we even got to see the three main characters right in front of us introducing the movie themselves. It truly was an experience I will never forget - my awesome red carpet affair!

Enclosed is a picture, a little dark and fuzzy, but of all three characters front row and personal! Enjoy!
Kirsten