tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-64867246321190278092024-03-13T09:57:59.386-07:00Italy - Milan and VeniceDr. Jean C.Fortihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10021839562578228395noreply@blogger.comBlogger50125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6486724632119027809.post-14961305417626296072014-03-22T07:05:00.001-07:002014-03-22T07:09:49.474-07:00Joe's Posts<br>
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Sunday March 2, 2014</div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Today
began with us driving to the Sforza Castle
to meet our tour guide.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our tour guide
got on the bus with us and drove around Milan
as she explained everything about the city.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>After that we got off the bus in front of the Sforza
Castle and our tour guide led us
through the castle explaining the meaning of certain structures inside the
castle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The castle itself was very
interesting and it was also interesting to see wild cats that live inside the
castle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We then left the castle and
continued our tour of Milan on
foot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After finishing the tour we ate
lunch and then had some free time to go shopping.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After we were done shopping we got on the
metro and headed back to the hotel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
then met the group later that day in the lobby of the hotel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We loaded onto the bus and headed toward the
AC Milan vs Juventus soccer game.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
game was such a good experience and I was even very surprised to find a group
of police men with riot shields standing outside the stadium.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Today was a very exciting day and a good day
to learn about the Italian culture.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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Monday March 3<sup>rd</sup></div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Today
started with a quick breakfast at the hotel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We then got onto the bus and headed to a meeting with the Series B
soccer marketing people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was a very
interesting meeting and I got to learn a lot about how they are struggling to
market their Series B team.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I also
enjoyed talking with them after the meeting about the differences between going
to college in the United States
and going to college in Italy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After the meeting we ate a quick lunch and
then boarded the bus again to go to the Formula One race track.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We got to experience a drive around the track
and even got to tour the building right next to the track.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Today was a very interesting day and I must
say I had some good experiences.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-hg390cT7RkQ/Uy2Zq2k4dmI/AAAAAAAAAKo/_S_fNV_tSQQ/s640/blogger-image--212717.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-hg390cT7RkQ/Uy2Zq2k4dmI/AAAAAAAAAKo/_S_fNV_tSQQ/s640/blogger-image--212717.jpg"></a></div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Cs2QMX8v9RQ/Uy2Zp-U1MLI/AAAAAAAAAKg/hEtG2XJQX2I/s640/blogger-image-108254620.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Cs2QMX8v9RQ/Uy2Zp-U1MLI/AAAAAAAAAKg/hEtG2XJQX2I/s640/blogger-image-108254620.jpg"></a></div>Dr. Jean C.Fortihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10021839562578228395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6486724632119027809.post-57724263293584704722014-03-17T08:06:00.003-07:002014-03-17T08:06:38.404-07:00Jon's Posts<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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The Club</div>
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The last night before we departed
to come home we all decided that we had to go out again for the last time as a
group. All week we had been tossing around this idea of going to the club, but
we really didn’t know much about it or where it was. On the last night though
we decided that we had to go and find it, and after asking around we finally
found it. “The Club” was the name of the place and we really didn’t know what
to expect at all. We all have been to clubs at home and knew what we would get
there but didn’t really know what this was all about. We get inside and this
place is crazy. It’s very packed and the music is really loud. We danced all
night and it really was a great ending to amazing week. Jamal and I actually
got to meet the owner too, which was great. He came up to us and talked to us
about how he was from NY and moved out there a few years ago.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was like the big party at the end of the
week and we really couldn’t have asked for a better night. We didn’t end up
getting back to the hotel until 4:30am
when we had to leave at 5am for the
airport. Needless to say we were all exhausted. </div>
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- Jon<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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The Traffic Jam</div>
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On our last night in Milan we all
went out for dinner downtown, which was normally just a few minutes down the
road, but on this night it seemed a little different. At first we were all just
having fun in the bus talking about the week and paying no attention to what
was going on. Then after about 35 minutes we started to think this is taking a
long time. Now coming from Pittsburgh I thought I knew what the definition of
traffic was, but what we saw outside the bus was way more intense then what we
see back home. We literally were weaving in and out of cars in intersections
just to get through them. I don’t think that the sight “Do not block
intersection” exist in Italy.
Luckily our bus driver was great and knew how to get through this mess. At one
point we were all up front and cheering him on to get us through and he did.
Never again will I look at traffic the same way. </div>
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- Jon</div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Venice</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;"> Map</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;">I thought that the map of </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Venice</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;"> needed its own blog
post because how crazy it is. Our tour guide gave us a map of </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Venice</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;"> the night that we went
out for carnivale because she said that we would get lost pretty easily. Being
young adults we thought that we would be able to figure it out, but just incase
we brought the map anyway. Little did we know this map would end up being a
lifesaver. After a night of partying and meeting new people we got all turned
around and had no idea where to go. It was </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;">3am</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;"> and we were officially
lost, but we still had that map. After what felt like all night figuring out
how to read all the little streets and canals we finally made it back to the
hotel. There is no doubt that if you ever visit </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Venice</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;"> you should definitely
pick up a map you won’t regret it. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;">-
Jon </span></div>
Dr. Jean C.Fortihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10021839562578228395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6486724632119027809.post-23543685255955600632014-03-13T07:48:00.001-07:002014-03-13T07:48:04.074-07:00Returning to the US<br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-WQJ8bml88MY/UyHFIQ1ozqI/AAAAAAAAAJs/jc-FVVMCbQs/s640/blogger-image-529756370.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-WQJ8bml88MY/UyHFIQ1ozqI/AAAAAAAAAJs/jc-FVVMCbQs/s640/blogger-image-529756370.jpg"></a></div>Dr. Jean C.Fortihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10021839562578228395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6486724632119027809.post-85868362281930952312014-03-13T07:45:00.001-07:002014-03-13T07:45:20.143-07:00Julianna's photos<br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-PXmSAt3Nrpo/UyHEfW-c96I/AAAAAAAAAJc/Lq_vB8t4Np0/s640/blogger-image--251574457.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-PXmSAt3Nrpo/UyHEfW-c96I/AAAAAAAAAJc/Lq_vB8t4Np0/s640/blogger-image--251574457.jpg"></a></div>Dr. Jean C.Fortihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10021839562578228395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6486724632119027809.post-1242404152734572852014-03-13T07:27:00.000-07:002014-03-13T07:46:35.701-07:00Gift to Raffaella<span id="goog_2078108612"></span><span id="goog_2078108613"></span><br><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-spyTmO52OEY/UyHEylNBtdI/AAAAAAAAAJk/s9qMV8dOqKo/s640/blogger-image-765180796.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-spyTmO52OEY/UyHEylNBtdI/AAAAAAAAAJk/s9qMV8dOqKo/s640/blogger-image-765180796.jpg"></a></div>Dr. Jean C.Fortihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10021839562578228395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6486724632119027809.post-24403925795396465852014-03-12T12:49:00.003-07:002014-03-12T12:49:58.008-07:00Julianna Sacco<!--[if !mso]>
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03/01/2014 - </div>
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Ciao tutti!</div>
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Oh my, I really think it just hit me now that I am actually
in Italy. The whole trip there was not an effect on me whatsoever until I just
started to write this post! Being on a plane all day yesterday and into this
morning really never got to me, just felt like I was flying in the states. We
landed bright and early at 6:30 am Italy time and 1:30 am US time. Jet lag is
not going to overcome me in any way. We immediately got off in Milan’s airport
and met our lovely Tour Guide, Rafaella. Boarded a coach bus, all to ourselves,
so naturally being the badasses that we are, we all crammed into the back of
the bus. We drove on their highway, passing businesses that we would never
expect to see, ex Johnson: a family company (that lady’s voice in now saying it
in your head). We arrived at the Sforza Castle and went across the street
towards a Café place that was remarkable. I enjoyed a refreshing cup of
espresso and an Italian pastry Sfgiollate, a pastry that I grew up loving, and
my brother to kill me over because they are just too good when my Nana makes
them. We tour the castle tomorrow but that as our meeting place, there was a
gentleman dressed as some man from the 1700s and approached one of our students
and we told him we were from America, he immediately thought Angelina Jolie. Go
figure. He continued to interact with another group from possibly Japan or China
and that man said “Oh, BRUCE LEE!” We continued the day to the San Siro Soccer
Team, home to A.C. Milan and F.C. Internationale. Very cool. Tomorrow we get to
witness a match there. We made it to the hotel, relaxed and then left, via
metro, to go see the magnificent painting by Leonardo Da Vinci, “The Last
Supper”. Actually physically being there was very VERY moving. Just looking at
the painting takes you back in time and feel the emotion that was poured into
this masterpiece was incredible. No photography. So unfortunately you just have
to take my word for it. We are now back in our rooms either napping, showering
or like me possibly doing work. Meeting for dinner and the nights ours. </div>
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Can’t wait to see what tomorrow brings!</div>
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-Julianna Sacco</div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>03/05/14</div>
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Happy Ash Wednesday!</div>
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I’m pretty sure this trip to Venice was my favorite part!!
This part of Italy was so beautiful and I could definitely stay here for the
rest of my life and never stop finding intricate alleys and beautiful buildings.
I could never get tired of walking in and out of the streets and the bonus is
not having to worry about getting run over by a car…because there are no cars!
Just have to be aware that you don’t walk down an alley and end up right in a
canal! Robbie, Amanda, Kelly and I took a lovely gondola ride through the
canals of Venice with our gondolier, Jaccimo. We also attended a beautiful Ash
Wednesday Service in Saint Mark’s Cathedral in San Marco Square. It was such an
experience listening to the mass in Italian, even though I could translate it
because it’s just like a normal mass that I attend on Sundays with my parents
but it felt so different being in that kind of atmosphere. We went out last
night to get a taste of the Venice night life and celebrate Carnivale. I have
never seen such a huge celebration before. It was insane and crazy! Definitely
want to do that again!!</div>
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-Julianna Sacco</div>
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03/06/14</div>
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Arrivederci Italia!</div>
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Until we meet again oh dear Italy, we say our saddening
goodbyes as we leave your beautiful country. We sit on this 9 hour flight back
to the United States, I began to reminisce the wonderful memories we all made
when we were there. We a group became closer in friends and I even met people
on this trip who I have just seen around school but never really have talked to
before. It was amazing and truly beautiful to experience their culture and also
eat food that was just out-of-this-world! We were all completely full by the
end of the week! I am looking forward coming back and visiting your country and
uncovering more secrets that you hold and taste a different side of your food. </div>
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-Julianna Sacco<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_GoBack"></a> </div>
Dr. Jean C.Fortihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10021839562578228395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6486724632119027809.post-72101407116941931672014-03-08T16:45:00.001-08:002014-03-08T16:45:20.058-08:00Ash Wednesday Mass at Saint Mark's<br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-zwU-FTB6WMg/Uxu5nuv1jyI/AAAAAAAAAIE/-So-V2mYIms/s640/blogger-image-1677258544.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-zwU-FTB6WMg/Uxu5nuv1jyI/AAAAAAAAAIE/-So-V2mYIms/s640/blogger-image-1677258544.jpg"></a></div>Dr. Jean C.Fortihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10021839562578228395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6486724632119027809.post-55342149831047619732014-03-08T16:41:00.005-08:002014-03-08T16:41:44.207-08:00CarnivaleCarnivale was insane! It was so much fun walking around and seeing all of the different masks and costumes. Everyone was in such great moods and being extremely friendly. When we went out later in the night we made so many new friends. It made the experience that much better from us talking to local people. We also added them on Facebook so we can keep in touch. It was interesting trying to make our way back to our hotel, the streets of Venice are extremely confusing. We definitely got lost a few times.<div><br></div><div>Amanda Treser</div>Dr. Jean C.Fortihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10021839562578228395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6486724632119027809.post-43767929061215271822014-03-08T16:41:00.003-08:002014-03-08T16:41:35.374-08:00Last night in MilanOur last night in Milan we went out to Corso Como again. We went to Maf again to see our Canadian friend. Who also happens to be a steelers fan which made him that much more awesome. We also then made our way to two other places. Pittbull and the last place we went to was called The Club. It was massive and filled with so many people. They played a lot of American music. It was an amazing end to an amazing trip to say the least.<div><br></div><div>Amanda Treser </div>Dr. Jean C.Fortihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10021839562578228395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6486724632119027809.post-70746402365505234732014-03-08T16:41:00.001-08:002014-03-08T16:41:22.499-08:00TRAFFIC!Our last night in Milan we got to experience the way the people of Italy drive in traffic. I truly don't know how we didn't witness at least one accident. People were literally squeezing their cars into any space they could find. The people on bikes were the craziest. They would weave in and out and cut off cars, Im surprised none of them got hit. With us being on a bus it was even harder to navigate through the intersections. But our driver was a boss and got us through. I have never seen traffic that bad. We did find out though, the reason for all of the traffic was a strike in the public transportation. <div><br></div><div>Amanda Treser </div>Dr. Jean C.Fortihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10021839562578228395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6486724632119027809.post-73651787914504907372014-03-06T11:44:00.001-08:002014-03-06T11:44:28.415-08:00Gondola rideThe gondola ride was one of my favorite things I got to do. It was so peaceful and beautiful. It was nice to get to sit down and relax and just take in everything. Our gondolier had some interesting stories to share. He told us he has seen a few proposals but once a guy paid for the hour long ride he proposed early into the ride and the girl said no. He said it was an extremely awkward ride after that.<div><br></div><div>Amanda Treser</div>Dr. Jean C.Fortihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10021839562578228395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6486724632119027809.post-6131670757190674262014-03-05T23:52:00.001-08:002014-03-05T23:52:14.494-08:00Our last night in Milan<br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-bkdQradeQDc/UxgpKyKRGpI/AAAAAAAAAH0/jb931iNTwzU/s640/blogger-image-712596824.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-bkdQradeQDc/UxgpKyKRGpI/AAAAAAAAAH0/jb931iNTwzU/s640/blogger-image-712596824.jpg"></a></div>Dr. Jean C.Fortihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10021839562578228395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6486724632119027809.post-85853903343944510192014-03-05T23:50:00.001-08:002014-03-05T23:50:48.188-08:00Last Supper 2<br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-VK6szEbYeyI/Uxgo1BaFU1I/AAAAAAAAAHs/Q-JggfvmQdI/s640/blogger-image--1077535287.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-VK6szEbYeyI/Uxgo1BaFU1I/AAAAAAAAAHs/Q-JggfvmQdI/s640/blogger-image--1077535287.jpg"></a></div>Dr. Jean C.Fortihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10021839562578228395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6486724632119027809.post-43453438109595956122014-03-05T23:49:00.001-08:002014-03-05T23:49:53.670-08:00The Other Last Supper<br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ry8k2Z4nP3A/UxgonjbYeII/AAAAAAAAAHk/HjaBEu1w6nI/s640/blogger-image-1498964111.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ry8k2Z4nP3A/UxgonjbYeII/AAAAAAAAAHk/HjaBEu1w6nI/s640/blogger-image-1498964111.jpg"></a></div>Dr. Jean C.Fortihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10021839562578228395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6486724632119027809.post-71877908766643712732014-03-05T23:40:00.001-08:002014-03-05T23:40:46.494-08:00Pizza in Venice<br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-z-oiyZndKZY/Uxgme3LN--I/AAAAAAAAAHY/0_STbGbYDfA/s640/blogger-image--579301878.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-z-oiyZndKZY/Uxgme3LN--I/AAAAAAAAAHY/0_STbGbYDfA/s640/blogger-image--579301878.jpg"></a></div>Dr. Jean C.Fortihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10021839562578228395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6486724632119027809.post-43339580637762708092014-03-05T23:38:00.001-08:002014-03-05T23:38:59.201-08:00The Real Deal<div><br></div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Hqw-_MwunXM/UxgmEOxz6YI/AAAAAAAAAHQ/NsGG0r6Rvjs/s640/blogger-image--1509402358.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Hqw-_MwunXM/UxgmEOxz6YI/AAAAAAAAAHQ/NsGG0r6Rvjs/s640/blogger-image--1509402358.jpg"></a></div>Dr. Jean C.Fortihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10021839562578228395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6486724632119027809.post-63069946276805586342014-03-05T20:48:00.001-08:002014-03-05T20:48:30.822-08:00MilanoAs we depart it's bitter sweet. Happy to go home but sad to leave, was such a great experience. I grateful to experience Italy and will returning in the near future to Venice hopefully. I would of loved to stay there longer and experinpence Venice more. It was such a beautiful place and felt so homey. I will miss Italy ans the experiences we had. Until next time.....<div>Chelsie Plotkowski</div>Dr. Jean C.Fortihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10021839562578228395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6486724632119027809.post-84734338339398648862014-03-05T20:44:00.001-08:002014-03-05T20:44:22.951-08:00Waiting for the water taxi<br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-oZT__Ps6hsc/Uxf9I-lXGJI/AAAAAAAAAHA/JKdDwniQvDU/s640/blogger-image-1921531529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-oZT__Ps6hsc/Uxf9I-lXGJI/AAAAAAAAAHA/JKdDwniQvDU/s640/blogger-image-1921531529.jpg"></a></div>Dr. Jean C.Fortihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10021839562578228395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6486724632119027809.post-4607433454330160832014-03-05T20:42:00.001-08:002014-03-05T20:42:43.787-08:00Chelsea and Nicole on a gondola<br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-PTeR5dJAbc4/Uxf8wFztGyI/AAAAAAAAAG4/zRMatYdcS2I/s640/blogger-image--1298493812.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-PTeR5dJAbc4/Uxf8wFztGyI/AAAAAAAAAG4/zRMatYdcS2I/s640/blogger-image--1298493812.jpg"></a></div>Dr. Jean C.Fortihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10021839562578228395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6486724632119027809.post-67951106479234101322014-03-05T20:41:00.001-08:002014-03-05T20:41:00.797-08:00VeniceLast night in Venice was crazy! We got to Venice in the afternoon and everyone was very excited to go out for Carnival. We kept hearing about this huge party that was going on in Campo Santa Marghertia and we just had to go check it out. When we got there we were left speechless. Hundreds of people crowded the square, and bottles were everywhere. Everyone was dancing having a good time and we even witnessed a fight! As the night went on we went to some bars and meant a group on high school students from Italy. This ended up being my favorite night in Italy so far. We hung out with them all night till almost 3am! I even got some new Twitter followers from this. This morning somehow I managed to wake up around 8:30 and really wanted to have a productive day. Joe, BT, Alex, and I started out the morning doing a little shopping buying everything from a really cool Figurine to a few sets of rosary beads. We also talked a gondola driver into a ride for only 60 euros when everyone else wouldn't go any lower then 80. After all of this we were starving and had been talking about pizza all morning. Our gondola driver told us of a really good place called Al Vaporetto and it was the best pizza I have ever had even though the bill was almost 70 euros. We even made some more new friends there from China who loved the NBA. Overall Venice was amazing and I hope to come back someday. I am already very excited for our last night in Milan tonight. <div><br></div><div>- Jon McKivitz</div>Dr. Jean C.Fortihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10021839562578228395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6486724632119027809.post-75982216686923606192014-03-05T20:40:00.003-08:002014-03-05T20:40:49.169-08:00Milan to Venice, Venice to MilanEn route to Venice I was so anxious for the trip. Venice is hands down one of the most beautiful places I've ever got to witness. Very hard to navigate at first but the map is definitely a necessity to carry when traveling there. The last night of the Carnival was CRAZY! So many people were there all dancing and just having a good time. Personally I like Venice more than Milan, which surprised me because I am a city guy. In Venice for only one day we accomplished a lot of things. We went on a gondola ride, shopped around, got some pizza and gelato, went out for a night on the town and much more. I wish we could have stayed a week in Milan and another week in Venice. It was very pricey in Venice but if you shopped away from the centers you could find good deals. Sad to leave Italy tomorrow because I am making some of the best memories here with people I will never forget. This trip was something I'll be telling my friends and family all about. Well off to Milan and then back to the states tomorrow! <div><br></div><div>Brian Mertz </div>Dr. Jean C.Fortihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10021839562578228395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6486724632119027809.post-61709830222159549622014-03-05T20:40:00.001-08:002014-03-05T20:40:12.653-08:00VeniceVenice was such an amazing place to explore. From the carnival last night to the peaceful gondola ride this morning, Venice is truely a unique place. Venice also had some great authentic pizza. <span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">There is no other place like Venice in the world and it should be a place everyone visits at least once in their life. So if you haven't been there yet I highly suggest you make a trip to it to experience it's unique qualities. </span><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Joe Kurcina</span></div>Dr. Jean C.Fortihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10021839562578228395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6486724632119027809.post-47843998595269494642014-03-05T20:39:00.003-08:002014-03-05T20:39:43.387-08:00Italy vs. USAAfter nearly a week in Italy, I have come to a conclusion about the overall level of hospitality in Italy is far superior to that if the states. Every time we got lost, needed help, or just had a question, there was always someone there to lend a hand, even fighting through the sometimes awkward language barrier. It was actually quite amazing how willing the people were to help in any way that they could. Thinking about the states, we are not well known for our hospitality. We are often viewed as closed minded, and <div>I can count myself as guilty of being somewhat hesitant to help foreign people. I work in downtown Pittsburgh, and I am approached at least 3 times per day by someone speaking broken English asking for directions or something of that nature. I always try to help when I can, but I am almost never happy about it and i definitely am not overly helpful. This trip will make me think twice about how I deal with these situations in the future, since I know what it's like to be lost in a foreign country with limited knowledge of the language. </div><div><br></div><div>--Charles Hartz</div><div><br></div>Dr. Jean C.Fortihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10021839562578228395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6486724632119027809.post-38934918686514615902014-03-05T20:39:00.001-08:002014-03-05T20:39:19.575-08:00America today!Today we leave Italy and we are waiting for breakfast. I am really tired and not looking forward to this long flight to the states. I am excited to see my family but as well, want to stay in Italy longer. We are getting ready to leave the hotel now en route to the airport. This trip was a lot more than I expected. I wish it could have been longer but the week was amazing. Hope everyone enjoyed this trip as much as I did. Ciao! Until next time. <div><br></div><div><br></div><div>Brian Mertz </div>Dr. Jean C.Fortihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10021839562578228395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6486724632119027809.post-47737598840745167962014-03-04T11:10:00.005-08:002014-03-04T11:10:29.100-08:00Meeting with series BGoing into the meeting with the series B marketing people I wasn't sure what to expect. But I had a pleasant surprise when I learned quite a lot from the meeting itself. I never realized how new the series B soccer league is. I knew that soccer was a huge part of Italian culture but never realized that this league was only 4 years old. I guess I assumed that a place with such a strong history of soccer would have developed a league like this years ago. You really never know what you are going to learn from another country until you experience it for yourself. <div><br></div><div>Joe Kurcina </div><div><br></div>Dr. Jean C.Fortihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10021839562578228395noreply@blogger.com0