Italy? Yes. For Real? YES!

Yes, I went to Italy and Yes, it is one of the most gorgeous places on the earth! It was so amazingly fab to see Kats and it was well worth the buttload of money I paid to go. Like, when's the next time I'm going to have a week off to visit Italy, one country over? That was my thinking. So to tell you about Italy I shall proceed to tell the story of my life while I was there. Here goes:

Day 1- I set off on a plane at six in the morning on Sunday. I was sad cause I missed church again, but Vanessa said a prayer before I left and reminded me it was the sabbath and I didn't forget. I flew from Birmingham to Amsterdam and from there to Rome. They were short flights so it wasn't bad. I also bought Dear John to read on the way as well and that was a great idea. From Rome I flew to Pisa and that whole trip took about eight hours, in which time I started and finished the book. :) I was slightly disappointed in the ending but oh well. So I got to Pisa with little incident but panicked as soon as I got to the airport. A- I couldn't read any of the signs and I had a vague description of where I was supposed to go. B- I all of a sudden realized "what if my phone doesn't work here?" C- I didn't have any way to contact Kats so I just had to wait for her call. Panic! So I wandered around for a bit trying to find my way to the train station. Feeling worried, I prayed that Katie would call soon so that I would be saved and no joke, like three minutes later my phone rings. Relief rushed through me as I said hello and was then guided to the train station by Kats. Once at the station, I was still thoroughly lost but I did my best to understand the signs and asked people what to do and got to Siena no problem. I was rather proud. At Siena I found Kats and we ran and embraced each other whilst screaming and attracting loads of attention. So great. It was so so good to see her and I was immediately sure that what I was doing was right and totally worth it. I met her group of ten girls and two boys who are all absolutely FABULOUS! I love them all! and the best part is that they go to BYU, have American accents and I will see them again after I leave! Fantastic! I also stayed at their apartment and you wouldn't believe how fabulous it was. It was straight out of a movie flat with four bathrooms, six rooms and two kitchens. Just like any film you see set in Italy or France with the cool couches and windows. Oh! I forgot to take pictures but I adored that place. I won't go into to much detail about the rest of the trip, I just show you.

Day 2- After I settled in no problem, me and Kats went out for a little day on the town of Siena. She showed me all the cool sights and the GORGEOUS views and the blissness that is Italy. I had real Italian pizza and gelato and sweat about ten gallons. It was about 30 degrees Celcius and so humid. I loved it though.

Pizza in the Piazza!

Typical view of the city

Unreal!

Every street looks like this! Bliss! I kept waiting for the director to come out and yell "Cut!"

They have escalators to get from the bottom of the city to the top! I know! Amidst all the ancient stucco and bricks there's randomly some super modern escalators.

El Duomo

Cutest truck I have EVER seen!

Large bread we're having, isn't it.

Piazza del Campo, the main Piazza in Siena. Huge and spacious and everyone just sits on the ground there and chills.

SO CUTE!

Kats and Kari and Jerom and an awesome fountain.

That night we had Chinese with the gang and just hug out.

Day 3- We go to Monterigionni. A typical, beautiful Italian city on a hill. Oh and an abandoned castle on the way. Oh and a church. :)

Reading some J-14 mag in Italy before setting out.

You wouldn't know it but we risked our lives climbing on beams three stories up to get these pictures. :)

It rained and we got soaked but it was even better for it!

Gorgeous flowers left and right.

Monterigionni from a distance. City on a Hill I tell ya.

I could easily be happy living in this house.

Day 4- BEACH!

Unreal beach in Fillonica

Sydnee, Me, Kats and Hil.

Playing in the sand.

Eating Gelato. We did this multiple times a day.

Oh my goodness! Everywhere in Italy you have to PAY to go to the bathroom. Exhibit A.

Just a gorgeous view from the plane to Italy.

On the way home I got to see the leaning tower of Pisa and the Eiffel tower in one flight! So cool!

I had to say goodbye on Thursday but it was easy because we are now confident, experienced, courageous women who live on our own everyday. Although Kats' experience is so much different then mine, seeing as she's never alone with her twelve American fellows and I am alone all the time (don't get me wrong I do have friends but it is completely different to Kats), they are perfect for each of us and we are so much better for them. SO AMAZING! That's my trip in a nutshell and I had a blast. I shall sign off with a video of Kats and me in Monterigionni. Ciao!