Austria has been wonderful.  Aside from a change in food, the culture is so different.  For example, the first night we arrived in Salzburg we went for a run along the Salzach river.  We then got cleaned up and went to find something to eat around 10pm.  This would have been the perfect time to head out for dinner in Italy, but in Austria things were closing down.  We did get a great recommendation from our concierge and made it in time for dinner, but not for dessert.  I could probably spend a week in Salzburg alone.  It is surround by beautiful lakes, mountains, and of course has a very rich musical heritage.  We did get to go on the Sound of Music Tour…yeah!  I loved it and Troy is definitely a trouper for going along.  Our guide was a bit on the dramatic side and insisted on singing every song from the movie soundtrack…she also insisted that we join her!  I am not sure that Troy has actually seen the entire movie of Sound of Music, but I doubt that he will now.  I, on the other hand, had a wonderful time.  The Sound of Music has been one of my favorite movie’s for a long time.  I think I might have even worn out the VHS 2-tape edition that my Aunt Mary let us watch over and over again. 

Yesterday we spent the day at the Schonbrunn Palace.  Unfortunately, that was all we really got to see in Vienna, just not enough time!  The Palace is an amazing place to visit.  You can go into the living quarters, see where Mozart performed, walk through the beautiful gardens, visit the zoo, find your way through the maze gardens, and visit a few other museums along the way.  

So this trip has come to its conclusion and now it is back to the real world.  I have to admit that I am ready to get back into my regular running routine, start preparing for next school year, and get this recital in shape.  Don’t forget that my recital will be held on the 16th of August at 2pm in the Center Grove Performing Arts Center.  Everyone is invited and I would love to see you in the audience.  Thank you for sharing your thoughts with me as I have been away for the past month.  I have really enjoyed recounting this trip for you.  It has been an experience of a lifetime and now that my life is giving me a new adventure, I feel ready for the challenge and feel that I have been truly blessed to experience these countries over this summer.  Again, thanks for staying tuned in with me and I’ll see you all soon!

Sorrento was amazing.  The coastline was gorgeous and we got to spend the entire first day at the Amalfi beach.  To get to Amalfi from Sorrento you take a charter bus around an exceeding curvy road that is essentially one lane.  The way there was fine, however the way back was not so successful for me.  Motion sickness got the best of me and we had to sprint off the bus to avoid getting sick all over the other bus patrons.  It was kind of reminiscent of the 2008 Florida Choir Trip in which the airplane provided the same experience for some of our students.  Anyway, we got on the next bus and made it down just fine.  We had a wonderful dinner that night and Troy ate the biggest steak I’ve ever seen.  I think he impressed some people that night.  We also went to Pompeii and Vesuvius while in Sorrento. 

Today and tomorrow we are scoping out Rome and we will be in Cinque Terre this weekend.  I will update you all again once we get to Venice.  Have a great weekend!

My first two weeks have been really great.  I have been overwhelming surprised at the vocal experience I have had.  Rejuvenation was one of the goals of this grant and I have definitely met that goal.  Monica has really motivated me to continue working on my own voice…correction, she hates when I use the word “working”…how about “exploring” my own voice.  I have learned a few new tricks that I can use with my students, but most of all I am really passionate about the music I have selected for this recital and am very excited to perform for all of you…August 16th…write it down!

Of course experiencing the culture, art, and countryside of Italy withmy mother has also been a wonderful experience.  My parents have given me so much throughout my life and spending time together is the best way to show them my appreciation.  My family is always spread throughout the world, but being away somehow heightens the reality of our distance.  Time being of the essence, I have learned to enjoy the time that I have with each of my family members and value the time just as much as the experience itself.  I know my mother also had an enjoyable time and is safely home, swimming in her pool.  She also managed to miss the one disgusting meal I have had so far.  I am not sure what vegetable it was, but dinner consisted of layers of what tasted like soggy bread separated by tomato sauce.  Yuck!  Oh well, tonight’s was amazing!  Angelo…a friend of Vincenzo…actually speaks a little English and was able to fill me in on how to make the tomato sauce on the pasta as well as the glaze on the turkey.  Who knows, maybe I will learn to cook after all.

So as this day comes to a close I will say goodbye for now, but keep you updated as Troy and I travel from Sorrento, Italy to Vienna, Austria a great weekend!

We decided to go two laps on the crushed stone/paved path on top of the wall, which meant we also had to run across the town to get to the train in order to make it back in time for my lesson.  We boarded the train just as it was leaving the station…that was a close one! 

After another great lesson we headed over to see the David statue.  I’m not really that into renaissance art, but there is something magnificent about this statue.  The size alone is impressive, but the detail work is amazing.  No pictures allowed…sorry :(.  Apparently Michelangelo left in the midst of sculpting several statues to go to Rome and never to return.  This gallery had these ”beginnings” displayed as well.  These were very interesting because it gave a great perspective of how the sculpting process works.  Painting looks easier! 

Finally, my mom and I headed out for dinner and her last bit of gelato.  We found the Florentine version of Baskin Robbins, except Festival of Gelato had 70 flavors!  Mom had me talked into taking a cooking class today, but it is a Holiday here in Florence and the booking agency wasn’t open.   This is probably better for all of Florence for those of you who are aware that my cooking skills are limited to Shells & Cheese and the occasional lasagna! 

I have two days left in Florence.  Today has been my “catch-up” day.  Tomorrow I have my final lesson and will be going to the U’fizzi gallery.  Hope you all are doing well.  Chat with you again soon!

Today after an intense practice session, my mom and I went to a small town called Fiesole.  This town has some amazing views of Florence.  For those of you who are sure that my travel/directional ability may be limited, I assure you that after today’s hike I am awarded some major bonus points.  In Fiesole there are several paths that lead around the city.  The paths are marked well until you get to the nature walk.  At this point signage no longer exits and multiple paths are present in several places.  Somehow we managed to make our way through just as a major storm rolled into the area.  Whew!  Now that was close, but well worth it.  I am sure that the hike compared to the hills of the Morgan-Monroe State Park and we were completely out of breath in getting to the top…which was generally not the top.  It kept going and going and going…up and up and up!  However, I loved it. 

Tomorrow we are headed to Lucca in the morning and then back for a lesson in the afternoon.  We will also be hitting the Academia Gallery, which houses the David, before a dinner on the town.  We have ate most of our dinners at home with Vincenzo.  He is a great cook, gets mad when we aren’t in for dinner at 7:30 on the button.  Tomorrow will be my mom’s last day here so we will be going all day and I will write again on Wednesday!

So yesterday morning we got on the wrong train…surprise, surprise!  We ended up missing our connecting train and having to hang out in Pisa.  The good thing was that we met a group of American military families who were living in Germany and who were very helpful in explaing the train system.  On the way back…we were like experts.  We made the last train to Florence by about 10 minutes and it was smooth sailing from there!

Now back to the Cinque Terre…the villages are all nestled up in the cliffs and the water is a beautiful shade of blue.  The coastline is rocky, but serves as great summer fun with cliff diving and warm summer swimming.  I am actually going to change my plans for later in this trip to come back.  We only got to hike two of the paths and I just have to see the other three.  I will get pictures up, but they take a while to upload so give me a few days.

After my lessons today we are heading to Rome for the weekend and I will tell you all about that on Monday once I get back to Florence.  Have a great weekend!

Also on Tuesday, my mother and I toured the Boboli Gardens.  This palace is very expansive and the view from the gardens is amazing.  We crossed the Ponte Vecchio to arrive at the palace.  This bridge is a medieval structure that contains nothing but jewelry shops.  And of course we had our first sample of gelato…with many more to follow I am sure.

Wednesday we took a tour of Siena and San Gimignano, two Tuscan cities with so much character and beauty.  The pictures cannot do these cities justice, but check them out!  No lessons today or tomorrow…just practice.  

 Some of you may know that I am currently staying with an Italian teacher named Vincenzo.  He speaks very little English…we play charades quite often.  Furthermore, there is one other student staying here as well and he is from Japan…he also speaks little to no English.  I am relying on my years of high school French and the few words I know in Italian from singing to get along…let me clarify in saying that I can count on my hands and toes the number of words I know in each language!  It is quite a site for us to sit down at dinner and try to guess what each other is saying.  Vincenzo has a friend in NC who we have already skyped with twice to clarify what each other is saying.  His cooking is superb and the home is nice, but down a scary alley!  In fact, that is how my mom and I know we are home…look for the pharmacy with all of the graffiti!  Ah…home sweet home!  He is also crazy about us showering before we eat dinner…I know it’s hot, but I didn’t think we were getting that stinky!  I asked him about running the other day and he laughed and told me there is no running in Florence.   The homestay was definitely the way to go…you can learn a lot about the Italian culture by staying with a Florentine!