Castles and Lochs and Links, oh my!

I drove this weekend. That’s right, me behind the wheel of a car. This may not seem like a big deal to any of you, however, I’ve only been in a car once in the past 2ish months. Not to mention that it was in Scotland, so everything was backwards…steering wheels on the right side, cars on the left, craziness in the form driving on the wrong side of the road. However, everything was in miles per hour and miles instead of Kilometers, which I wasn’t prepared for, but was a nice comfort.
If you ever can drive in this sort of manner, I suggest you take a stab at it, but would also suggest not immediately starting with hard core city driving…like I did. Some back country roads might work a little better than congested streets ten times more complicated than any driving in Ann Arbor ever was or will be. Edinburgh (pronounced Edinbro/Edinburo) has so many one-way streets it’s like being a mouse trapped in a giant labyrinth constructed by God to punish those who dared sit behind the wheel. Though one-way streets do make city driving pretty interesting, we found that the three way intersections with a sign saying you can’t turn left and another on the other side saying you can’t turn right to be quite amusing. I’m fairly confident that this is some money making scheme created by the police there because any option you choose is illegal. You can’t turn left, you can’t turn right, there’s a building ending the road, so going straight is out of the question, and stopping in the middle of the street and giving up will most likely get some drunken Scotsman ready to kill you, along with some sort of a ticket I’m sure. A conundrum of pictures I’ll post as soon as I can steal some pictures from the people we were with.
Driving aside, Scotland was amazing, the most beautiful place I’ve ever been to, that’s for sure. The closest thing I could compare it to is up north Michigan, specifically Arcadia Bluffs. All rolling hills with lots of fields and sheep in amounts that have to outnumber people at least five to one. Amazing golf courses everywhere with lots of heather and few people taking advantage of the picturesque surroundings. Castle’s are about as prevalent there as pizza and gelato stores are here, every where you turn you see some sort of giant, elaborate castle towering over everything on some hilltop, or overlooking the water. Simply amazing.
We were fortunate enough to be able to take the care we rented and drive it along the east coast near Edinburgh on Friday afternoone and got to see some of the back country and non-tourist places. We tried to take a tour of the oldest brewery in Scotland, The Bellhaven brewery established in 16xx, but unfortunately they were done with tours for the day, so we went to the local pub and just had a pint or two of some of the delicious brews they concoct. It was pretty fun, hangin with the locals and havin some brewskies…good times. Edinburgh also seemed like a much nicer town thaa Glasgow, the other city we stayed in. Seemed a little more ‘ritzy’ and clean.
Saturday, my roommate Chalan and I went to St. Andrews. Yup, that’s right, the birthplace of golf (don’t be TOO jealous Frank). A quaint little town on the coast about 20 miles north of Edinburgh with an amazing church, a nice friendly atmosphere and a few old goat trails known as The Links of St. Andrews. I was pretty stoaked to get my picture taken on the bridge at the links, too. Pretty nuts. I’m definitely going back with my clubs one day and playing there, somehow, some-way…though I’ve heard they have some absurd waiting list for non-members along the lines of two years, however I’m not sure how true that is.
Unfortunately we were unable to take any official castle tours or go see Nessey at the good ol’ Loch Ness. Maybe next time. It’s a great place and makes me really want to go visit Dublin, which, according to the irish dancing gurls we met at the bar, is much cooler and way better than Glasgow or Edinburgh…and they were pretty attractive, so I trust them.
It also happened to be my friend Carla’s birthday on Saturday and we had the delight of being able to meet up with her, her roommates, and the nice gal she knows over in Glasgow with whom she was staying. It was pretty neat ‘cause their host was able to show us the fun local places for the evening and get us a little out of the touristy places in Glasgow. The one place I especially liked was Jinty McGinty’s, a little hole in the wall, though well furnished with cherry wood everywhere, lots of cool local Scots who spoke English (it was so nice to be in an English speaking country…being able to walk into a book store and actually have products you can read is super). We also went to an old church turned club, though if all Scotish DJ’s are that bad, I’m boycotting all discos in that region forever.
All in all, a great weekend, minus the fact that I now have a wicked cold and a finance exam Wednesday for which I’ve been studying all day. I think my head is about to explode and implode all at the same time.
Other than this past weekend, I actually did things during the week. We had a field trip to Tivoli and got to see the Villa D’Estra (go check out the website). It’s an amazing place with tons of fountains and lovely shrubbery. Also we saw Hadrian’s Villa in the same town, a 300 acre ‘luxury resort’ constructed by Hadrian (you know, the buy who built the Pantheon) for him, his family, and his closest friends to get away from it all. A pretty cool place which would have been much cooler if any of the buildings were actually still standing.
Also, a few of the gurls we know made us and some other friends a feast to end all American feasts…at least those cooked by students in Rome. They made us roasted chicken, mashed potatoes & gravy, steamed vegetables, home made cookies, ice cream, and cherry pie. It was simply amazing…the first real amarican food I’d had (besides hard rock) since I left for Europe. Super duper good, props to the gurls.
I suppose that’s about it, I shant bore you any longer with my adventures, it’s time for all of you to go back to work and make that money. I’ll write sonly, no plans yet for this weekend, but I’m workin on it…might just go to Paris, by myself ‘cause I can’t seem to find anyone who wants to go. Whatev, they’re loss.
Ciao,
Jon Boy

Sorry MSU, your couch burning has been One Up-ed...

Howdy ya’ll. Commin in with your weekly fix of ignorant American ranting about ‘stupid’ Europeans. This past week was a little more eventful than the previous one, with the weekend standing out with things actually done instead of those not accomplished.
This Saturday, I went to Perusia for the yearly chocolate festival. Deemed THE chocolate festival throughout all of Italy, I decided, as one who would marry chocolate if it were legal, that I should probably check this thing out. However, it wasn’t as I had expected when I arrived. Personally, I had envisioned something along the lines of Willie Wonka taking over Perusia for a week and flooding the streets with chocolate, fountiants made of chocolate spewing more chocolate everywhere, perhaps a waterfall somewhere and maybe even an Umpa Loompa in the mix. To my dismay, none of these things became a reality as I was left to wander the small, over-crowded streets from over-priced tent to another, spending way too much money on chocolate that I don’t particularly “need” but figured that I should probably get anyway. Despite my chocolate hopes and dreams lasting as long as a buckeye’s hopes ever being cool, it was still a pretty good time and I’m glad I went. Got to experience popcorn smothered in chocolate syrup and the most delicious hot chocolate ever conceived by beast, man, or God…more of a melted chocolate in a cup than your conventional swiss mix; truly the most delectable beverage that I will most likely experience here, followed closely by Wieksee Witte and Guinness.
So the chocolate festival was cool and I would show you pictures of it…but on the way back, while switching busses, it somehow managed to be pilfered from my being, hence, no pictures yet (I’ll try and take some other peoples pictures form their cameras and post them). So, this now means that all that awesome birthday money you guys supplied me with will now be going toward a brand new, over-priced, shiny digital camera. Hopefully I can try to get a deal somewhere, though it appears that all electronic devices in Italy are much more expensive than in the states, sometimes being more euros than dollars. So that sucks, but, as usual, we’ll play through.
To help to ease the “man, you’re a dumb-ass” syndrome I felt all Saturday night afterwards I decided to go to an event at which I could have possibly been killed on Sunday…the Roma v. Lazio soccer (which will here-on-out be referred to as ‘futboll’ with a U instead of two O’s so as not to be confused with American Football.). The Roma/Lazio rivalry can be compared to that of a Michigan/Ohio State rivalry with a twist of Michigan/Michigan State rivalry thrown in since Lazio is the region in which Rome resides…kind of like the state system back in the U.S. So, it’s basically like putting two caged bulls into a stadium on opposite sides and saying “ok, now play nicely.”
Riot police padded us down as we entered the stadium, making sure we didn’t have any sharp objects with which to kill our opponents fans (literally) and to make sure our names on the IDs handed matched those, along w/the birthdates, printed on our tickets…a new policy implemented two months ago to help prevent ticket scalping. After being thoroughly groped, we made our way to our seats…in the Lazio section, who are deemed the most violent and aggressive fans in all of Italy. I made sure to not wear anything with the Roma colors. After entering the stadium, I noticed about 40-60 riot geared police manning just our section, making their shields and night sticks clearly visible, along with the +5 German Sheppard attack dogs that escorted the fine police officers.
I fortunately didn’t have the pleasure of a chance encounter with these dogs or their wooden beating sticks, however, I was witness to a little stick usage on a fight that broke out in a section next to ours near the field…it was pretty crazy how responsive and aggressive the police were…they take zero shit from anyone. The other comforting factor of the stadium was how each individual seating area is sectioned off on the terrace level outside of the seating with huge steal walls, so that fans can’t go attack other fans.
Despite all these “safety precautions,” the game was amazing, ending sadly in a 1-1 tie. Goal scoring was possibly the most interesting thing that happened concerning the fans. It was as if each fan in the section of the scoring team had won the world lottery of 2 billion dollars or something similar. They went absolutely bizzerk, jumping up and down, hugging, singing, and I think I even saw a few of them shed some tears of joy. Absolute madness ensued for about 3 minutes until the team on the field, who did basically the same as the fans, collected itself and decided it was time to continue the game. I’ve never seen any fans so excited about basically anything as they were about a goal. Something that everyone should experience along with the amazing art…a European futboll game.
Those are the two main events of the past week and, fortunately for your reading pleasure, my roommate Chalan and I just booked a trip to Scotland for this upcoming weekend, so there will be much to be told. We fly into Glasgow Thursday night, then Friday night we’re going to go to some other town for the night (since we have no place to stay in Glasgow), then back to Glasgow Saturday night and home Sunday afternoon. Our main goal is to find some immortal highlander and behead him, hence taking his immortality and being left to battle the few other immortals and adversaries until the end of time…just like the books, movies, and syndicated TV series based on the books and movies. However, if that doesn’t work out, I think going to see Nessey at Loch Ness would be in order along with seeing some super old castles and various other cool, Scottish country-side type deals. If anyone knows anything about Scotland and or places we should see/visit, please lemme know.
As for now, I have to go watch an Italian movie in place of one of our classes this week. It’s about a radio host who had a non-biased political radio program during the 70’s in Italy while there were large communist and democratic movements being held. I believe the host was ultimately killed by the communist party (The Reds) for entertaining the democrats. So, Frank, remember not to befriend any of these communists ‘cause apparently the moral of the story is that they’ll kill any radio hosts who they don’t like. With that, I’m out to be bored by a movie I don’t understand about a history I know nothing about by a ‘famed’ Italian director, which probably makes it some indie thing, making it most likely somewhat bizarre in its story line and style of shooting and production.
Ciao,
Jon boy

Pimp My...old delapitated vespa?

Well, I’ve just finished taking an exam in Marketing, Art History, and Italian, along with working on a marketing project, or at least the part that is due Thursday. I now have time available to inform anyone still left reading this what’s goin on.
Christine Folley came and visited here from Wednesday until early Sunday morning…so for all practical purposes Wednesday to Saturday. It was pretty cool to actually prove to my roommate that I do indeed know other people and am privileged enough to call them friends. She saw sights while I was in class and I also took her around the Vatican Museums, trying to regurgitate as much jumbled, random information as I could remember from my visit there the previous week. It wasn’t much, but it was almost enough to feel somewhat cool. I had a good time and was thankful for the visitor to help me not think about the exams I had to take today…which I then regretted not studying for before Sunday (don’t worry parents, I did fine).
If anyone else wants to come visit…too bad, I plan on not having time for you unless you come between Monday-Thursday because hopefully I will be traveling places…hopefully. But yea, sorry…unless you’re somehow related to me, then I can make an exception…and if you’re really hot and can’t wait to date me, then you can come too.
On a lighter note, things here are pretty much the same, though I’m started to get a little upset at how ‘real’ this school is. I didn’t sign up to study, I signed up for a four month vacation in Europe (don’t tell my parents that). Oh well, I suppose I have to learn this stuff eventually eh? No worries, it’s still ok here, I suppose. Just joshin, it’s pretty freakin sweet, though I don’t think I’d ever want to permanently go to school here…too small. Also, apparently my family is going to win the lottery on the Tuesday night drawing (tonight) according to my mother…so, when I get back home, I’ll be rich, just an FYI. So, that’ll be nice.
As usual, I’m still single…incase anyone had the freaky idea I wasn’t. It’s very upsetting that there are so many cool, hot gurls here (about a 75/25 ratio) and they all freakin have boyfriends back home. Ugh, it disgusts me. All I can do is take in the eye candy, like the creepy guy w/the shades on in the corner. So anyone in Hollywood reading this, I’ve got the creepy-guy-in-the-corner roll down solid. Oh well, I suppose I’ll just have to wait until I get back to the “fine” selection of Belmont gurls (non-existent) .
Oh, funny side note I just remembered. Sorry, this entry is definitely super random ‘cause I can’t think of anything else to write. Anyhoo, Europeans seem to fancy American television shows, either by dubbing them, leaving them in English, or (the best one) coming up with their own version of a show. The best and most awesome example of all for this is called “Pimp My Wheels.” Yes, it’s pretty much what you think, a blatant copy of MTV’s “Pimp My Ride”…and if you thought that, you’d be right. It’s a show on MTV Italia that has a 5 person boy band hosting the show instead of X-Zibit. But that’s not the best part. Because Italy is so small, everyone rides around in freaking Smart Cars and Mopeds…so those are the kind of ‘wheels’ these heterosexually questionable gentlemen ever so kindly ‘pimp.’ It’s pretty hilarious, the guys will walk up to crappy little moped, make fun of it, have it taken to some West Coast Customs imitator, and then when it’s done, it’ll have gold rims and flame graphics and all this stupid ass stuff on it which just makes it look ridiculous. Apparently they have an American Idol knock off too, but I haven’t had the fortune of seeing such a spectacle seeing as we don’t have a TV and I have to mooch that kind of thing off other people.
Ok, I’ve babbled about nothing for long enough, back to your lives. I’ll talk to you soonly, hopefully with something to actually say next time.
Ciao,
Jon Boy

Eating up all those paint chips, Vatican style

To leave the Vatican Museums after really taking in some of the art, historical artifacts, architecture, and sculptures engulfing the giant edifice without being completely humbled would cause one to suspect that you just might to be beaten, or shipped home ‘cause you’re a loud obnoxious American tourist. Fortunately, I can stay because the feeling and amazement that complexly engulfs you when you stare at something such as La Stanza e Loggia di Raffaello(http://www.christusrex.org/www1/stanzas/0-Raphael.html), The Last Judgment(http://www.abcgallery.com/M/michelangelo/michelangelo54.html), Raphael's Transfiguration(http://www.eyeconart.net/history/Renaissance/transfiguration.htm), or The Sistine Chapel(http://mv.vatican.va/3_EN/pages/CSN/CSN_Main.html) (yes, I know the last judgment is part of the chapel, but it’s good enough to get it’s own link) was incredibly captivating and indescribable through my poor English skills. If you don’t plan on ever going to The Vatican in your lifetime, shame on you. It’s too amazing to never see in person. Details not able to be captured by photograph are clearly visible and you can’t get the exuberance, the pure adrenaline rush that runs through you when here by looking at a picture in a book or magazine. I took some pictures that I’ll put online later in the week, though I’m not sure how well they turned out considering my camera is meant for outdoor, nothing fancey pictures. I’ll do my best to edit them so they’re good to look at, though.
On a lighter note, it’s been raining all day yesterday and today so far, which has been pretty crappy, though I was in the museums most of the day yesterday and inside today mostly, so it could have been worse. It does kind of stink for those who went on trips to Cinque Terra or Florence or wherever ‘cause it doesn’t look like it’s going to stop any time soon. Glad I stayed back to go to the Vatican instead.
Hell week one is officially over, only to make way for Hell week number two, coming up in the middle of October. Multiple tests, a quiz, and a presentation all completed in due fashion. Fortunatly, we have our party coming up and Miss Foley is coming to visit this week, should be a good time. Always nice to hang out w/part of the U of M crew…especially in Rome. Should be a good windown week before it’s time to gear it back up again.
Another nice thing is that our apt. is currently being cleaned thoroughly by the landlord for free…boo ya. It desperately needs it since we don’t have a vacume and have to rely solely on a tiny, inadequate Swiffer to clean our floors. Hurray for their bleach mops and electronic sucking machines. And new, clean sheats on our beds, yusss.
I also finished Angels & Demons yesterday…pretty sweet book. Now it’s time to go take a look at all the places in the book in a little more detail than just passing by them when walking somewhere. I already got to go check out the Dove at the top of the Fontana Dei Fiumi in Piazza Navona. Can say that I never actually saw the dove there before reading the book. My next visit will be to the Pantheon, which, saying disappointed in myself, I have yet to go inside. I’d talk a lot more about it, but I’d rather not ruin the book for anyone who has yet to delve into it’s cleverly written tale. I suppose it’s back to the Chronicles of Narnia for now, though after yesterday, I’ve added a few large books to the ever growing list of books I’d like to read but appear to never have time in which to partake, including Dante’s Inferno/Divine Comedies, along with a few tales by Homer and Virgil. I’ll just pile those on the stack of books in my room back home, lol.
That’s about it from this side of the pond, I’ll catch you cats on da flip side,
Ciao,
Jon Boy

Sleepless in Seatle...I mean...Boring In Rome

Well, it’s October. I’ve been here officially a month. I haven’t traveled as much as I would like to have said by now, but I think I might be making up for it in the near future. I keep saying that, but it’s really going to happen, though I’ll refrain from mentioning places so as not to arise false hopes from anyone else.
Exam’s are starting to kick in, starting this week off with a massive Finance cram session yesterday and today (hence why I didn’t write yesterday). That one is tomorrow, and then can relax Thursday w/our weekly party. Which also needs mentioning that we’ve decided to have a Black Tie & Champagne party on the 13th for a duo birthday bash at our place for myself and Chalan’s belated celebration. Should be fun. Dressing up and Campaigning…kinda like Tacos & Champagne, except there’s no Mexican food here unfortunately. So I have that to look forward to.
I’ve also interrupted my Chronicles of Narnia with Angels & Demons, which I figured I should read while I’m in the city it’s located in…which rocks ‘cause I actually know what they’re talking about. I can be like “yea, I was there yesterday for class” and it’s true. It’s a pretty good book too.
Hhhhmmmm. Other than that, nothing has happened here other than class and the usual schedule I unfortunately find myself in now. However, I intend to change that this weekend by doing something fun. I don’t know what, but something. Sorry this is so boring, all I’ve been doing is studying, reading Dan Brown, eating, sleeping, and trying to relax after studying, so I don’t have much to say. Maybe I’ll think of a rant later and post one, who knows. Anyhoo, thanks everyone who’s e-mailed, I appreciate them all…I’ll write everyone back eventually, I swear. I’ll talk to “ya’ll” later,
Ciao,
Jon Boy