Oktoberfest Recap

Oktoberfest....how do I even begin a blog entry about the world's biggest party? Do I start by saying that it was the 200th Anniversary of the event? Or that the Stein's are as big as your head, and contain the alcohol content of 5 American beers? Or that I am now obsessed with schnitzel? Well, let's start at the beginning...

We left Florence at 11:30p.m., and arrived in Munich around 9:30 the next morning. I know I've mentioned before that I'm not really the outdoorsy-type. It's not that I'm spoiled, I just don't "rough it" that much. Well, we decided to CAMP for the weekend, with an Australian-run company called Stoked. The minute we stepped onto the campsite, we were handed toilet paper and a beer. And hence the tone was set for the rest of the weekend.

The weather was perfect as we headed to Oktoberfest. The festival itself is the most colorful and elaborate event I had ever been too. The architecture of all the beer halls, rides, and food stands were nothing like I expected, and was positively gorgeous. Just the sight of the festival alone was an indication that this was going to be an awesome weekend.


We spent the first day on the quest for a good beer hall, and started downing Steins the minute we found one. German beer goes down so smooth, and I am NOT a beer person at all. And the Steins are ENORMOUS. And expensive. Hence why I came home broke that weekend. Oh, and my new favorite beer is called a Radler, which is half beer half lemonade. AKA Heaven.


People from all over the world come to enjoy Oktoberfest's festivities. We met people who came from Germany (duh), Italy, Siberia, France, Spain...and by people, I mean older men who wanted to take pictures with American girls. But hey...I got 2 free beers from some Siberian guys, so you gotta do what you gotta do.


We headed back to the campsite where it immediately started HAILING. Yes, hailing. And I hear California is in the middle of a heat wave? Please send some of that over here. The camp turned into a muddy mess, and wrecked my newish boots. Awesome. Not to mention that sleeping at night was FREEZING. But that's all I'm going to complain about the campsite, cause a bed is a bed when you need to pass out, right?

The next morning, we woke up to rain, rain, and more rain. Yet we proceeded to Oktoberfest where we got into the most happening tent of all: Hofrbau. We found a table right in the center, right next to some crazy French dudes. The beer started being served at oh, you know...9:00a.m. Breakfast of champions, no?


We immediately bonded with the people standing around us. It's amazing how beer unifies people! I guess. The band would loudly play drinking songs, and after every number, we'd stick our Steins up high, cheers each other, and chug. Among these songs were "Sweet Caroline" and Heeeeeeeeeeeey hey baby! OOO! AAAAH! It was such a crazy atmosphere, and I'm pretty sure it can't be matched by any other "party scene" in the world.


This marks one of the most glorious moments of my 22 years on this planet. I already miss the people, the halls, the beer, the colors, the French guys, the beer, the food, and most importantly, the beer. If I could go back to Oktoberfest every day, I would. It was just so...joyful and carefree. Except I would have a beer gut the size of 15 steins, and I would overdose on brautwurst. Either way, Oktoberfest was pure MAGIC. But next time...I'm getting a hotel.


The next day took a more sobering (pun intended) turn, as we went to explore more of Munich and see the Dachau Concentration Camp. It was quite the 360 from the day before, but I feel it was something I needed to see. In fact, if you are ever in Germany, you need to visit one of these camps. I've been to both Holocaust museums in LA and Washington DC, but being at the real thing? Out of this world.


It was a total out-of-body experience to be walking on the grounds where so many people died for no valid reason other than the hatred of another group of people. While Dachau wasn't necessarily a death camp, thousands of people died in it due the horrifying living conditions. The most shocking part was walking through the Krematorium, where they would burn all of the corpses. We actually walked into a shower where they would gas people who were too weak to work in the camp anymore (even though Dachau never claimed to doing mass murders.)


It was really hard to stand there and visualize what happened. While tourists flocked the sight, the idea that this place was anything but a tourist attraction in 1941 gave me chills. It's something I don't like to think about, but if I was alive during this time and living in Europe, my family and I would have been put in one of these camps. If I'm not mistaken (correct me if I'm wrong, Dad) we might potentially have descendants who were affected by the Holocaust. It was a very humbling and sad experience, but I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world.


Sorry that this entry was so long...but I don't think either thing I participated in while I in Munich could be brought to justice without some explanation. I would love to return some day, and see more of what Germany has to offer. And to go back to Oktoberfest. Duh.

Up next: The Amalfi Coast. Please pray we have good weather!!! I want to see this Blue Grotto everyone keeps talking about.

Love you and miss you all....
Kara

Fine Settimana

The last weekend was one of the few where I had no multi-day trips booked. Instead, I explored various different cities and aspects of Italy.

After a very ~*interesting*~ night on the town, we woke up late the next morning. My roommate Katie and our friend Nancy decided to check out the historic city of Pisa. Pisa isn't a city you need to spend more than a day in, so we made goals to see the famous Leaning Tower and to eat pizza in Pisa.

Our morning was off to a rough start when I forgot how to convert military time (They use that system in Italy. It is currently 13:54, if you were wondering), and hence we missed our train. However, the man at the information booth told us we could catch another train if we RAN. So like out of a scene from a movie, we raced to the train and managed to make it on just before the last door closed.

The ride to Pisa was about an hour. However, we hit another MAJOR roadblock right before we hit the Pisa station. We were unaware that train tickets had to be validated before you boarded, and a b-word ticket checker lady FINED US 40 EURO FOR IT. Needless to say, our moods started to match the gloomy weather outside.

We arrived in Pisa to be greeted by HOARDS of gypsies. Awesome welcome wagon, Pisa. A lot of the city was under construction, and we found out that we were going to have to walk to the complete opposite end of the city to see the stinking tower. Great. So after a long walk, we decided we just wanted our freaking pizza. Luckily, we found a place, and had the BEST pizza I've had since I've been in Italy.



Finally, we found the tower. And I have to admit, it was pretty awesome to see it in real life. We were a little disappointed to see that our photos couldn't really capture the "lean" of the it, but it's still a cool sight to see. It was hilarious to see people do the famous "push-the-tower" poses. We did some of our own as well:


Overall, the tower was cool, but I'm pretty sure the only time I will EVER return to Pisa is to use the airport.
The next day, we went to our first Fiorentina soccer game! They played Lazio, which is a team from Rome. The game was fun to watch, but the fans were ever better. They are so loyal to their team! The stadium was a sea of purple, and the Fiorentina fans seemed to have a song for everything. I even learned an Italian swear word or two! Sadly, Fiorentina lost, but it was still a really neat experience. I plan on going to another game in November.


On Sunday, we hopped on a bus to Cinque Terre. We were nervous about the weather, because there had been thunderstorms in Florence the night before. Thankfully, God was smiling on us, cause the weather was absolutley beautiful. We took part in an extrememly strenous and tiring hike, but the views were so worth it.


Dear future husband: we are traveling here for one of our anniversaries. Love, Me.


After the death hike, we decided to go swimming. The water was perfect, and so salty that you could just lay back and float in it. After sunbathing on a rock for a wee bit, we had dinner. While the service was terrible, I had a delicious pesto pasta. The city we ate in was Vernazza, which is actually the home of pesto!


Overall, it was a lovely "fine settimana." However, the real trouble (and I mean that in the best way possible) commences tomorrow night, when we head off to Oktoberfest. Oh, and did I mention we are going to be CAMPING?

Hopefully, this won't be the last time I blog to you all. Otherwise, I'll see you Sunday night ;)

Love,
Kara

Frustration

Okay, don't get the title of this blog entry wrong...I am having the time of my life over here. I went to Pisa last Friday, a soccer game on Saturday, and Cinque Terre on Sunday. My next blog entry will cover all those various trips :)

My current frustration derives from one thing: ME. Kara Rutkin.

And why am I frustrated with this person, you ask? Well, let me put it this way: I have been living in Florence for almost 3 weeks now. Yet I've felt as though I'm on vacation here. It's like this is a nice trip away from home and reality and I'll be going back in a day or two. Well, now with all of my homework piling up and my plane ticket reads December 18, it's sinking in that I am not going anywhere for the next three months. But this isn't a bad place to be, right? I've made friends, traveled a bit, and have exciting plans made for the semester. Life is good.

However, I feel so....American. It's as though I've been wanting Florence to accommodate me, when it actuality, I should be accommodating Florence. I hunt in the grocery stores for foods I would eat at home, speak English 99% of the time, and have made friends with mostly Americans (Each of whom I am growing quite fond of, by the way. This is mostly because Florence has tons of American students in it.) I often find myself whining about stuff I miss from the states, like Chipolte, my soft bed, and full wardrobe. I get pissed over losing money in the currency exchange at ATMs, nearly get run over about 15 times a day, and the wait to get the check at a table makes me want to pull my hair out.

But as I was dozing off in my art history class today, it hit me: This is NOT how my Florence experience should be. It should not be about me wanting to bring my American life over here. I want this experience to change me, but I'm not allowing it to. I'd rather be content in the lifestyle I left back home, instead of taking part in all the magical, unique, and awe-inspiring things this city has to offer.

So I made a promise to myself in class: I want to be "at one" with Florence. I do not want to stand out as an ignorant American anymore (even though most Italians think I'm Italian...until I open my mouth.) I want to indulge in all this city has. From its restaurants, to its museums, to its marketplaces....I. Want. It. All.

From here on out, I plan on practicing my Italian everyday with ACTUAL Italians, not just in the classroom. I am going to use the Mercato Centrale as much as I can, and buy fresh produce instead of food from the grocery store. I am going to go on wild goose chases for the best restaurants in Florence, no matter how far I have to walk. I am going to see every museum and gaze at the city from the top of the Duomo.

My travel book is open, as well as my mind. My real Florence experience starts NOW.

Love,
Kara

My First Weekend Excursion

Last weekend, my roommates and I departed for our very first excursion outside of Florence. Our destinations were a hike in the Italian side of the Swiss Alps, Garda Lake, and the city of Verona.

On Saturday morning, and I do mean MORNING (we left at 5:00a.m. sharp), we hopped on a cramped bus to the Alps. Five hours later, we arrived at the foot of the mountains, and followed our guides toward the hiking trail.

Now most of you who know me are fully aware that I'm not exactly a "nature" person. But oh my goodness, I would have been a fool to miss out on an opportunity like this. The air was so fresh, the trees so green, the water so clear. Our first major stop on the hike was being able to stand behind an actual waterfall! So I guess you could say I saw the backside of water. But seriously, it was so awe-inspiring, and was definitely the highlight of the hike for me.


Our hike was mostly uphill from that point, but still...it really made me appreciate God's creations, despite how out of shape I was. I feel like the photos I took or the descriptions I give don't do the Alps justice!


That night, we stayed in the Hotel American (ha. ha.) in the city of Trento, and had a full Italian dinner. It wasn't necessarily my favorite meal of my trip, but hey, we were starving and devoured every course.

The next morning, we departed for Lago da Garda in the city of Sirmione. The weather couldn't have been more perfect. We explored the town, and did a 4-euro self-tour of the huge fortress that serves as the majestic entrance of the city. There were some fantastic views of Sirmione, and the water in the lake is extremely clean and clear.


After a delicious pizza lunch at a restaurant on the shores of the lake, we hopped on the bus to Verona. In case you dozed off during your freshman year english class, Verona is the setting of Romeo and Juliet. However, our tour guide broke our hearts by telling us that since Romeo and Juliet is a completely fictional story, the supposed "House of Juliet" is too. The city of Verona decided to build Juliet's house, complete with balcony and tomb, merely as homage to Shakespeare's famous love story. So basically...it's a glorified tourist trap.


I also found it interesting to learn that the Bard didn't conceptualize the tale of the star-crossed lovers. It was a story written by a less famous author, but it was Shakespeare's interpretation that made it so famous.

However, we snapped some touristy photos anyways, and even signed our names on a wall where you can write "love notes" to Juliet (just like the movie, but not really). Here is my contribution:


Then we got a mere hour to explore the rest of Verona. I wish we could have had time to see more of the city, but we had to head home. It was a wonderful weekend, and made me excited for the rest of my excursions.


This weekend's itinerary: A Fiorentina soccer match, and a day trip Cinque Terre!

Until next time....

Kara

20 Things I've Learned in Florence in One Week

1. There is NO such thing as "the pedestrian has the right of way"
2. Gelato is amazing, at a reasonable cost.
3. The mosquitos love me.
4. You walk everywhere. And quite frankly, I'm okay with that.
5. It's really hard to get lost. All roads to lead to the Duomo eventually!
6. Ikea is just as big and confusing as the ones in the states.
7. You can get 4 bottles of wine and a free bottle of champagne for only 10 euro.
8. Almost everyone speaks English.
9. Skype is the best invention ever.
10. Both sexes really know how to dress themselves.
11. The Ponte Vecchio looks gorgeous at night.
12. They have really cheap Asian clothing stores...my favorite!
13. It's kind of fun to get trapped in a restaurant while it rains.
14. Gelato stands are just as common as Starbucks in the states.
15. The Statue of David is in a weird location, and it costs 10 euro to see him. Hence I haven't yet.
16. Drinks in bars are just as expensive as they are in the states.
17. When life gives you lemons, make Limoncello.
18. I have to forget all Spanish in order to learn Italian properly.
19. Don't panic, there is a McDonald's.
20. I still have a lot to learn.

First Week of Classes

Ciao!

So we have officially been here one week, and I have seen all of my classes. Here is a quick overview of what my semester will look like:

Event Planning, Monday 3-5:30: My teacher is a delightful and beautiful German woman, and the class seems absolutely fascinating. When I told her about how I had helped coordinate events at Knott's, she sounded really impressed and said I should teach the class. No idea if that was sarcastic or not, but I took it as a compliment in the moment. Our big project for this class is to plan an actual event for LdM's fashion school!

Art History, Tuesday 9-11:30: This class will be fun because we get to go to all of the museums for the class. I think it's been about 7 years since I got to go on a field trip, and we have one almost every class! I'm definitely excited to see the Academia gallery, which is the home of the Statue of David.

Italian 101, Tuesdays & Thursdays 4:30-5:45: My teacher has immediatly started speaking nothing but Italian to us, which is a little weird cause I don't know....IT'S A BEGINNING CLASS. But I feel this will be my most useful course during my time here, because I can sure use some basic Italian to practice around the city. So far, we've learned basic phrases, numbers, and the alphabet.

War & Media, Wednesday 9-11:30: Zzzzzzz this class is probably going to be a snooze fest. I'm going to try to keep an open mind, but let's face it....learning about how the media has portrayed war over the last 100 years isn't exactly stuff you want to debate about at 9 in the morning. Plus, my class is hot as you-know-where, thus making it harder to keep my eyes open. But hey, it's my last class for my communications minor, so you gotta do what you gotta do.

Food & Wine Pairing, Thursday 6-8:30: This is going to hands down be my favorite class. So far, we already cooked a delicious pasta pomodoro with cookies for dessert (the name of the cookies escapes me right now). And of course...we paired it with a delicious red wine and a dessert champagne. My professor is hilarious, and we get to go on a ton of cool field trips, including a real wine farm and a chocolate festival! Could I be more in love with this class than I already am?

Sadly, I have this long lost concept called "homework" to deal with already. But I have so much downtime during the day, I have no excuse not to get started on it. Hard to believe my first week of school is almost done!

Love you all.....
-Kara

Trips in the Works

So half of the fun of my study abroad experience is to be able to plan trips! Of course, these will run my bank account dry, but I feel that I will truly regret it if I don't travel.

Here is a list of trips that are currently in the works for me, and also the dates so you can know when I will be out of town:

• September 11-12: The Swiss Alps, Garda Lake, and Verona
  
• September 19: Cinque Terre
  
• September 23-26: Oktoberfest in Munich, Germany
• October 9-10: Nice, Monte Carlo, and the French Riviera
  
• October 23-26: Dublin, Ireland
• October 27-November 4: My parents come to town!
• And more adventures to come!

Tomorrow is my first day of class, and I'm actually really excited! I've been having a blast with my roommates over the last couple of days. We've explored the Duomo, gazed at the city from the Piazza de Michelangelo, checked out the pub scene in Florence, shopped at Ikea, accidently bought 9 euro gelatto, tried our first slice of Italian pizza, gotten bitten to death by mosquitos, drooled over potential shopping opportunites, and watched Camp Rock 2 in our jammies with a glass of wine in hand (Don't judge me.)

And the beauty of it all? It's only the beginning :)

Goodnight/good morning, everyone.

-Kara

I'm here!!!

Ciao da Firenze!

I have arrived! I still am in total disbelief that I am here...I feel more like I walked onto a Hollywood movie set. Florence so far is beyond anything I could have imagined, and I've barely seen half of it!

We arrived Wednesday morning, after a long and cramped flight. I managed to sit next to the same guy on my flight to Switzerland and Florence...But I haven't seen him since! We flew over the Alps and I got some awesome pictures of it. I will actually be HIKING in the Alps in two weeks (contain your shock, please).

Speaking of guys, there are definitely a lot more girls that chose to study abroad in Florence. This OF COURSE isn't a bad thing (lies)...but I think you know what I'm getting at! The Italian men haven't bothered us too much yet, but I'm sure during the night life here, they will be a little more "wild."

I have four lovely roommates: Jessica and Beatrice are from Chapman, and we flew over here together. The other two are Katie, who is from New Jersey (she lives close to the shore!), but goes to school in Boston, and Lauren, who hails from Ohio. So far, we all get along really well, and have booked some of our trips together.
Our apartment is cute, but um...very, very "quaint," if that's the word I'm looking for. Our kitchen is adorable, and we have a living room with a TV. But we only have ONE BATHROOM between 4 girls, which I'm sure will lead to some silly Chick Flick like moments. Beatrice and I are going to invest in mattress pads and extra pillows because we feel sleeping on our kitchen table might be equally as comfortable. I'm definitely going to have to find a hot Italian masseuse to work out the kinks in my back I'm developing from this so called "bed."

Our last few days have been full of Orientation meetings. But today we FINALLY got a chance to explore the place we will call home for the next few months. We seriously had our breath taken away by the Duomo. It was my first European moment of having my jaw drop over seeing something that I only thought existed in photos. It is so majestic and HUGE, and I am stoked to eventually go inside.

The shopping and the food are FANTASTICO. I already have hesitations about returning to the Olive Garden and Westminster Mall ever again. I'm definitely going to have to limit myself at the time though, but I see a new leather jacket in my future!

I think that covers everything for now...I promise to post more frequently! I start classes on Monday, so I'm excited to share how those are with you. I don't think I've ever been more excited to start school!

Ciao for now,
Kara