Travels

Just returned from Amsterdam and Brussels; had an amazing time, but it was my first, and hopefully last solo traveling excursion. Its just more fun to share the experience with another person/people. I will post pictures later.

Found this map which was pretty cool about how much/places in the world you've visited. 12% for me already...seems like its been much more, but this world is a big place :)

Create your own travel map


Anonymous has traveled to: Afghanistan, Belgium, Canada, Croatia, Egypt, France, Germany, Greece, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Kuwait, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mexico, Netherlands, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Singapore, Solomon Islands, United Kingdom, United States, Vatican City, Vietnam, USA States: Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin

MT Etna Erupts!...and I'm at work :(

View from housing in Marinai; just 7 miles West of the main base
Were the majority is lit up on the bottom on the left is the city I live in, Motta

Craziness!

So last night, for the first time since 2002 (well more than just a trickle), Mt Etna erupted. Mt Etna is the main area that we can see from base, which we often call the 'She' as she is a female (always smoking) volcano. Starting at around 9pm it started to spew and just got more intense till about 2 am. This morning I walked out to my car covered in soot; grey ashy soot. thankfully I have an awesome neighbor who washed my car while I slept today.

They have posted various things on base about the air quality, but it isn't foggy out, the wind seems to be going further west and so I was able to do some running outside without coughing up a lung (yet!). Can't be much worse than Afganistan.

So thats news here...luckily, so far, all flights are a go as I depart for Brussels/Amsterdam on Sunday for a few days. Ciao Ciao!

Firenza New Years 2011

The locks of love and committment near the Ponte Vecchio bridge


Pisa!

Happy New Years! As I uploaded these photos I couldn't help but think I should rename this blog to be called something outside of Life in Italy as I often post in regards to travels and events outside of Italy. I have done a fair share of travel inside Italy as well....but too me the more exciting locations have been outside.

For New Years a group of friends and I traveled to Florence over a 4 day weekend and rented an apartment for the 6 of us to be able to stay together. We had a great time, drank lots of wine and champagne, saw the sites, ate lots of delicious food and enjoyed the company of some friends who are departing soon, myself included.

Which brings me to the most exciting news of the New Year; I recieved my ORDERS to Camp Pendelton which means its official. I will depart Sicily in June and hope to travel back home this summer as well. I look forward to the next adventure and am eager to get back to Southern California! I can understand I am very lucky to be stationed here in Sicily, and know I take advantage of that sometimes, as I describe it simply; I am a spoiled American who misses the conveniences of the States.

Till next time, ciao, ciao!

Deutsch Reisen

Wow...haven't written all December~sorry! This is the only place that reminds me of such :p

So I hope that this little note finds everyone enjoying their holiday season and getting in the spirit of christmas and looking forward to the new year ahead. Though I am not able to see my family, its been great to spend time with my 'italian' family of friends and enjoy good food, good times and great travels! This past weekend I was lucky to be able to travel to Nuremburg Germany as well as take a train to Munich, Germany. I had a great time with some friends and about froze our asses right off! hehehehe...it was in the low 20's all weekend, but after we have been used to our 60-70 degree Sicilian weather, it was a shock to our system.

In Germany we got to explore the city of Nuremburg to include of course the Christmas markets as well as the Nuremburg trial museum (which was very powerful), and it goes without saying we walked till our toes just about fell off and ate our way through the friendly, welcoming markets. Christkindlesmarket is one of the most historical Christmas markets in the world. The food; pretzels, sausages, sauerkraut, egg nog, mulled wine and of course beer were phenomenal.

Nuremburg

In Munich, after a 2 hour train ride we explored the city on one of those hop on, hop off busses. We also got to walk the city and find the Hofbrauhaus which is another historical site; one of, if not, the oldest brew haus in Germany or the world. I had a tasty lemonade light beer called the Radler. Then we walked to go ice skating, which I loved. I might be a little rusty than 10 years back, but I still got some moves :)

Hofbrahaus

Overall a great trip that got me in the Christmas spirit and good preperation for my New Years trip to Florence...just gotta do some of that stuff called work to cushion the trips :)

Merry Christmas!! Buone Feste!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving...if it be a few days late :) I was able to enjoy a delicous feast and the great company of friends at my co-worker and good friend Naomi's house. Her and her husband, Nick, hosted the ER staff and some other friends for a great day. We had the traditional stuff, as well as some lasagna brought by an italian friend. This year was a bit different than last; the girls versus guys games didn't work out as well as us girls had hoped! hehehe

A friend of mine from San Diego, who now lives in Japan; Stacy came to visit me for a week. Though I did have to work many of the days she was here, we had a great time catching up and visiting around the area; showing her the sites of Sicily. I welcome visitors; especially as I leave in 7 months!

Not much else going on, hope everyone is doing well. Ciao Ciao!

Veterans Day and Goodbyes

Veterans Day was just this past week and known to be a "holiday", day off, and/or time for the sales. But this year, even more than years past its important to recognize those who have served. Its been a great honor to serve with all the Navy, Marine, AirForce, Army and Coast Guard members out there! Never forget those who gave the ultimate sacrifice. Navytimes just released an article I found to be pretty cool; a new ship named after the first marine MOH recipient; Cpl. Jason Dunham.

I also said farewell to my close friend Heidi. I knew her at Balboa and has been a lifeline here in Sicily. One of my only single friends.. hehehe...She has left the Navy after 5 years and I will miss her so much! :(

Getting rid of a wicked bad cold/sinus infection that 'blessed' me with loss of my voice for 2 days. Am relieved to think it might possibly be over after 2 weeks! Grrr...am the worst patient!

Ciao Ciao!

Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween everyone! Though Italians don't celebrate Halloween, they do celebrate tomorrow (All Saints Day) and the ones that live near base do take advantage of dressing up their children and have them trick or treat. But Warren, my coworker and friend had a big bash with a haunted trail and all. I wanted nothing to do with the haunted trail, but I did help make a lot of the food we provided for the 50+ people. Oh, and if you can't tell, I was a beer maid :)

Work is going alright...been on nights still, which is better this time around for my sleep cycle, but I still eagerly await day shift the end of this week!

Not much else cooking, hope all is well! Ciao Ciao!