Dancing in the Moonlight

There`s something about being by the water that makes me feel so happy and serene. Sperlonga has to be the most BEAUTIFUL seaside town I have ever seen. It is a very small town on the Mediterranean Sea between Rome and Naples. It’s actually a really busy time of year as many Italians choose to vacation here in the summer. You really get a feel for the Italian culture as NOBODY really speaks English. The town is incredible...it’s built in a mountain, with narrow alleyways, staircases everywhere and gorgeous whitewashed buildings. The view of the ocean with the mountainous backdrop is picturesque. Apparently Sperlonga was a favourite retreat for the ancient Romans during the hot summer months and it has continued to be a hot spot ever since.

We are staying at this beautiful modern resort... I feel so spoiled! I have a gorgeous room with this spa like shower...I shower on average 3 times a day just to take advantage of it. There`s a great pool and bar on the rooftop which I`ve grown quite fond of. We have become friends with the bartender “Sarina” who refuses to charge us for our drinks. Sarina also doesn`t have much bartending experience so she just pours away without ever measuring...quite funny! We`ve been teaching her a thing or two!

My first night in Sperlonga was incredible! Natalie and I took a cab to the neighbouring town to experience our first Italian Club. We went out at about 1:00 am and things were just getting started. We got drop off on the beach and followed this sandy alleyway to this outdoor disco. I kind of felt like I was at Much Music Video dance but in a foreign country with outdoor televisions playing random videos to music we know haha. Nat and I were definitely the only Canadian girls there. Natalie is fluent in Italian so she was able to network for the both of us. It’s so funny to see the locals going crazy over North American Top 40 Music...they don`t know the lyrics they just seem to mumble random words ...too cute. So we danced the night away till about 4 and then decided to call it a night. It was great having my own personal translator...otherwise I wouldn`t of been able to take part in any conversation. I really need to learn to speak Italian.

Some of the students went to Pompeii on Sunday but I stayed back and enjoyed exploring the streets of Sperlonga. Nat and I started our day at around noon with a great lunch in a piazza up in the hill. We had the best Caprese salad and Antipasto! I am now addicted to olive oil, Buffalo Mozzarella, tomatoes and wine. Everything is so fresh and tasty! After a fantastic lunch, we made our way to the beach where we met up with about 20 students who had bought a bunch of inflatable boats and tubes. We ended up playing in the water with them for a good part of the afternoon followed by some reading on the beach! Another long day at the office!

For real, I`m honestly in heaven! Last night, my coworkers and I went out for a wonderful seafood dinner on top of the mountain. From the patio, we enjoyed the sunset followed by a full moon reflecting on the water. This place is soooo Zen! You can`t help but just pause every now and then to take it all in. Life is so stress free that it has become quite easy to just live in the moment and not think of anything else. Wish every day of the year could be this way!

Our students started their final presentations this week...I can`t believe the course and the trip is coming to an end in just a couple of days. I have become really close to my students. Most of them are quite mature for their age. I feel like they`re my little brothers and sisters...they seem to come to us for all sorts of stuff including relationship advice and they seem to keep us in the loop about everything haha they`re hilarious. It has honestly been an amazing experience teaching them. They are so engaged and excited about business- Some of these kids read the Economist for fun haha! I`m going to miss them.

I have also enjoyed working with such a wonderful team. Teaching with James has been a learning curve for me. He is this dynamic, inspiring teacher who is gifted and has a way of delivering the content in a fascinating way. It has been really nice to learn from him this past month.

Natalie is another one I`ve become quite close to. She is our group supervisor who also happens to be 26 and loves to travel. We`ve spent numerous evening having late night chats and exploring our surroundings. I knew after talking to her for 5 minutes that we`d become friends...she is so easy to get along with. Having her here on the trip has made it this much more amazing! She is planning a visit to North Bay for the fall so some of you will get to meet her J

This will be my last post as I will be heading back to Canada in just 3 days (I`m not ready to come back). My adventures through Ireland and Italy have been incredible. These two countries are so different but yet equally amazing! I think what made Ireland were the people, its lively culture and its gorgeous landscape where as the food, the history, the art and the relaxed lifestyle made Italy so memorable.

I will be back on Canadian land Friday night! Yay! I plan on spending the long weekend at the cottage with my family and Gigi McLaren with a possible visit from Katie ?? I can`t wait to have a campfire and catch up...hopefully no fire restrictions!?!

Momma, I hope you can find the time to bake some blueberry muffins...that would be fabulous! Haha!

Looking forward to seeing you when I get back! Can`t wait to catch up with everyone!

Ciao!

Franny

It is good to collect things, but it is better to go on walks

-Anatole France

When in Rome...

Italy keeps getting more and more amazing by the day. After leaving Florence, we stopped to spend part of the day in a small town called San Gimignano. One word to describe it: beautiful! The medieval town is built high up in the mountains and if you climb up to the highest point you get the most gorgeous view of the Tuscany region (see picture). I honestly couldn`t get enough of the scenery! After taking it all in, James and I found a cute wine cellar where we tested some local wine before coming back down for some awesome prosciutto sandwichesJ. I think this place is a must see en route to Rome!

We arrived at our hotel in Rome around dinner time on Monday...traffic is crazy and the streets are packed! After dinner, we walked the students to the Spanish Steps and then to the Trevi Fountain. The Trevi Fountain is the largest and most famous fountain in Rome. The water that runs through this fountain and every other fountain in Rome for that matter comes from the Roman Aqueducts and is quite good. The whole square around the fountain is incredible, thousands of people sitting around admiring this piece of art... Apparently they collect between 8000$ and 9000$ in coins every day!

Monday night, Nat and I roamed around and visited the Piazza Navona...this beautiful square with tons of cute cafés and trattorias, live music and tons of local artists selling paintings. The artwork is gorgeous...I bought a couple of pieces for my house J it’s so fun to just walk around with nowhere to go!

Tuesday we went for a guided tour of the Forum and the Colosseum....it was over 40 degrees and our tour guide wasn`t very engaging so we ended going off on our own...things aren`t really marked out at the Forum so hard to follow but the Colosseum was really impressive.

I also had the chance to tour Vatican City...visited St-Peter’s Basilica-it’s incredible and almost overwhelming because there are so many details to see. I also toured the great Vatican Museum...I think I could have stared up at the Sistine Chapel for hours...the detailing and the story it tells is fascinating. Our guide was really informative so it made the whole experience quite memorable.

Rome is different from any other big city I`ve ever visited...every building is rich and full of details. There are no skyscrapers as no building can be higher than St-Peter's . The bridges and fountains are all so different. I don`t think any picture could show its true beauty. At least once a day, I head to the rooftop of my hotel to drink a glass of wine and enjoy the scenery and the weather.

I had the day off today so I decided to take the subway across the city and walk back down. I did some shopping, visited some Piazzas and then met up with my dear friend Natalie for an afternoon Mohito which then turned into several afternoon mohitos in extreme heat. Needless to say, we were left with perma smiles and massive headaches as we rushed to get back to the hotel to have dinner with the students. Haha!

I`m off to my final destination tomorrow: Sperlonga!!! I will be spending 6 nights in this beautiful beach town on the Mediterranean coast....I CAN`T WAIT! I plan on doing lots of Pilates with the students and catching up on some reading while soaking in some sun J

Hope everyone is enjoying their summer...I`m looking forward to some northern Ontario camping and BBQs with family and friends in August :)

Ciao for now!

Franny xxx

A Date with a Boy Named David

My first Italian experience started with a glass of sparkling wine (persecco) and an amazing arugula salad on a beautiful terrace in the Duomo piazza on a gorgeous summer evening shared with amazing company. As I looked up at the Duomo for the first time...I screamed! It has to be the most beautiful cathedral I have ever seen. It`s at that very moment that I fell in love with Florence! It has this vibrant and romantic atmosphere. The small streets are filled with people, cute little restaurants and Gelato stops. For the past 4 days, I feel like all I`ve been doing is walking and eating gelato haha...I can`t get enough. During my 5 days here, I`ve had the chance to visit the Duomo, Michelangelo`s David- which by the way is absolutely mind blowing, Santa Croce- which contains tombs of famous artists such as Michelangelo, Galileo and Machiavelli and the Piazza della Signoria- a beautiful square filled with famous statues. Our guided tour of the city definitely brought light to the whole renaissance period. The city is filled with beautiful art- statues, painting and magnificent architectural work.

I think you could walk around for days and never get bored...Saturday I went exploring on my own...sat in a few piazzas and watched the world go by. I`ve also done a lot of shopping, I bought a few souvenirs, a few leather purses and a gorgeous leather jackets J J

On Sunday, I took the train to Venice to meet the group...as I walked to the end of the platform I didn`t really know what to expect but it`s exactly as you would picture it- Canals, bridges and narrow alley type streets filled with people. I think it has become my new favourite city. It`s crazy to think that Venice is pretty much built on water (117 islands to be exact) with no vehicles. The only way to get around is by boat or by walking. You can literally get lost just walking through alleys and exploring all the Venetian glass shops...it’s honestly the coolest place ever!

Today, we brought our International Business students to the Pagani factory and then the Farrari museum. Some students managed to go test drive some of these cars with professional drivers...they we`re all pretty pumped about it!

Besides that, I`ve been enjoying teaching, exploring, drinking and EATING. I feel like all we do at night is sit in great restaurants where we drink and eat all night J

Gigi- I keep thinking of you...you would go CRAZY visiting museums here...the art is mind blowing!

Tomorrow we are leaving for Rome and will stop in San Gimignano to explore the town and visit the piazza. Apparently it is known for its art, shops and restaurants!

I am having a grand time and I can`t wait to share more stories with you when I get home! It`s been an amazing experience up to now and I can`t wait to see what Rome is all about!

Ciao for now!!

Franny

I Love The Rain Most When It Stops...

My travels through Ireland are coming to an end today. I am sitting at the airport in Dublin enjoying a coffee and absorbing the last few breaths of Irish culture while watching James, my fellow co-worker, enjoy one last pint of Guinness. We left Galway at 4:00 this morning in a downpour... it has rained every day for the last week. I think my body will go into shock when we arrive to Florence today as the weather is about 36 degrees J

My time in Ireland has been amazing. On Tuesday, we brought the students to the Aaron Islands where we spent the day exploring. The island is so quaint! The people are joyful and so relaxed...it’s as though you have warped back to the 50s. The roads are narrow and bordered by stone walls; fishermen coming in and out of the port; little houses with thatched roofs; old stone churches with a gorgeous lush green mountainous backdrop. I love the simplicity of it all! While on the Island, James, Natalie and I took a trap ride chauffeured by our charming local Sean and his beautiful horse, Laura. Sean was a great tour guide! He seemed soooo excited to be telling us about the history of the Island....he ended most stories with “It’s just the way t’is...it’s just the way t’is”. He seemed so proud and content with his life on the island!

Yesterday, I went horseback riding in Galway`s beautiful countryside. My horse Brandy was this gorgeous chocolate brown horse who had a mind of her own...you can`t tame a wild horse so I just went with itJ For real, the scenery was soooo serene...the pictures don`t show the full beauty of it all.

Overall, Ireland is a marvellous place; the scenery, the people and the culture are what makes this place so memorable. Although I am extremely pumped about venturing in and around Italy, I will miss the Irish lifestyle!

Francine

As you walk and eat and travel, be where you are, otherwise you will miss most of your life

-Buddha

One Last Pint!

G'day mate! I can't believe I've been bumming around Ireland for over a week already. My time in Galway has been great fun! The weather has not been the best but that's why they have pubs and beer :) Thought I would post a few pictures taken at the Cliffs the other day. Its funny how it will go from sunny to crazy downpours in less than a minute. Look closely at the two cliff pictures I posted, they were taken probably about a minute apart haha!
The countryside is absolutely gorgeous. We stopped to visit an old Abbey on our way to the cliffs which was also quite impressive and made a stop for lunch in this cute little down called Doolin. All the homes and businesses are so colourful with simple painted signs and charming curb appeal. I love it!

I went out with the teaching crew on Saturday and we had an amazing time. The band was fantastic and the people were rowdy and fun! One of the band members "taught" me how to play the fiddle. For anyone who's seen me play an instrument other than the piano knows that it is never good for business haha!

I only have a few more days left here in Ireland and then I am off to Florence. Although I'll be sad to leave this amazing place and its fine people, I'm quite excited to explore Italy!

Hope you enjoy the photos!

Franny xox

Galway Girl

Hello Hello,

I have arrived in Galway, which is kind of an artsy bohemian type city on the West Coast of Ireland. Its quite a bit smaller than Dublin but it has alot of charm and alot more rain :) I am heading to the Aran Islands tomorrow by ferry to bike around the island and take some pictures. I can't wait to go...its very cute and is one of the only places where the locals still mostly communicate in Gaelic. Its got stone forts and all the properties are divided up by stone walls...I will post some pictures when I get back. Sunday, we are bringing the group to the Cliffs of Moher which is the furthest point of Europe and is over 200 meters over water level.. I've only seen pictures so I will update you guys on that site once I check it out!

We are staying and teaching at the University of Galway...I kind of feel like I'm camping...its cold, damp and musty in our rooms and not so clean...I guess I could say I'm roughing it out a bit but I'm in IRELAND!


I'm still recovering from Dublin...I had such a great time. Tuesday night, I went out with Natalie and Erin to celebrate Erin's bday...I kind of celebrated like it was mine haha. We went to this cute Irish pub in Temple Bar...the live music was great and we just mingled all night. I can't get over how friendly people are over here...the atmosphere is so different!

Wednesday night...I was in charge of curfew but Natalie, James and I ended up going out afterwards to a pub where all the locals hang out. What was suppose to only be a pint turned into us closing the bar and hanging out with the staff until 5:30. Natalie and I went home when the sun came up haha I have to say that waking up at 8 was a little hard on the system but I don't seem to need much sleep these days.

In between all of my shenanigans, we went to visit the Kilmainham Gaol. It's an old jail that was built in the 1700s and had a huge part in Ireland's history. Many of leaders of the Irish Rebellions were imprisoned and executed during the fight for Irish independance. The tour was really informative and the site memorable. It really summed up the reason for all of the tension between the North and the Republic. I plan on renting the Michael Collins film when I get home!

So needless to say, Dublin was a great time!

Teaching is still fabulous...I can't get over how polite and sweet my students are! The dynamics are completely different from my classroom at home. I'm looking forward to sharing some stories with you when I get back but I couldn't ask for a better group...they're hillarious!

Well the sun is out so I will make the most of it and take a walk downtown. The Film Festival is on so I may check it out!

Hope all is well back home...miss you
Franny xx

“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines, sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.”
– Mark Twain

40 shades of green

Greetings from Dublin! I have arrived safely at Trinity College early Saturday morning and have settled in my cute little dorm room on campus. I kind of feel like a student all over again! My room has a twin bed, a small desk and a tiny little sink and mirror....simple but yet very cozy. On a side note: I managed to electrocute myself already and blow my converter and the fuses on my floor while blow drying my hair yesterday haha but all is well now.

I am soooo happy to be back in Dublin! It’s funny how everything feels quite familiar and I still get that same exciting feeling in my stomach when I walk down Grafton Street. Saturday, I walked around the city and and up Grafton Street which is a shopping/pub street for pedestrians. I managed to sneak away for a pint during the soccer game and things got pretty nuts after Germany won on Sunday afternoon. It was awesome seeing the fans cheering and drinking in the streets... I love the feeling of walking around here...the buildings and doors are so colourful and detailed, the streets are filled with locals and tourists and everyone is so laidback and friendly.

So yesterday, I truly experienced the "40 shades of Green" that Ireland has to offer. We took the students on the Dart to Howth for a day hike along the Atlantic Ocean. The scenery was ABSOLUTELY stunning...everything looked so green and the backdrop was filled with mountains and blue water. It seemed like every 5 minutes I would find a new postcard moment. I can't think of a better way to spend a Sunday!

Last night, James my co-worker, brought a couple of us to see his magician friend Keith Barry perform at the Olympia theatre. Keith had reserved a box for us so needless to say we had great seats. The show was brilliant! This guy is huge here in Ireland....super funny and very talented. You can check him out on youtube, he was on the Ellen Show not long ago. Highly recommended!

On a more serious note, I started teaching this morning. We teach in a lecture room here on campus which is quite fun! The students we are teaching are quite impressive; they are a bright, charismatic and a worldly bunch. We covered tons of stuff today and they all bring a lot to the table. I`m really excited to see what they will deliver during the next month! Tomorrow, we are bringing them to the Guinness Brewery to learn more about their branding strategies across the globe and on Wednesday we are bringing them to the Jameson factory to get bombed...just kidding ...we will explore their production and marketing strategies-When in Rome....

Cirque du Soleil is also in town so I plan on going to the amphitheatre on Wednesday to check out the show yay!

This is all I have to report for now...I am having a great time and I hope all is well back home J Looking forward to sharing more stories of my adventures abroad!

Francine

Never miss an opportunity of seeing anything that is beautiful

-Ralph Waldo Emerson