Italia

Ciao! Buongiorno!

Oh Italy.  The land of pizza, pasta, fashion, wine, and so much more.  One day for sure I want to come back to this amazing place.  Since the weeks were winding down and I began to realize that I had only 7 weekends left, my friends Alex, Chris, and I began to set out on my last European adventure,  Italy.

The Duomo

Oh Italia.  La tierra de pizza, pasta, moda, vino, y mucho mas.  Estoy seguro que un dia quiero volver a este preciosa país.  Ya que las semanas eran limitas y yo di cuenta que solo tuve 7 fines de semanas, mis amigos Alex, Chris, y yo empezamos nuestro ultimo aventura europea, Italia.

My lovely travel companions - Alex and Chris =)

We hopped a cheap flight to Milan out of Santiago de Compostela and we were there.  Getting in fairly late we just barely made it on the last metro train and arrived at our hostel (with a detour at donor kebab for directions).

Saltamos un vuelo barato desde Santiago de Compostela a Milan y estabamos.  Llegando demasiado tarde casi perdimos el ultimo metro y llegamos al hostel (con un desvio en el donor kebab a preguntar para dirreciones).

The next day it was hot.  We set out on foot to explore Milan.  We saw the Duomo, Galeria de Vittorio Emanuele II, the endless shopping streets, Duomo Square, and decided to end our day with homemade Spaghetti in the hostel kitchen.

Galeria Vittorio Emanuele II

El proximo dia hizo mucho calor.  Fuimos andando a explorar Milano.  Vimos el Duomo, Galeria de Vittorio Emanuele II, los calles de compras, Plaza del Duomo y decidimos a terminar nuestro dia con espagueti casero en la cocina del hostel. 

Vineyards everywhere

While Milan was beautiful, I really didn't fall in love with Italy until we arrived at the Cinqueterre National Park.  This place is like small town Italy that you see in the movies.  Colorful houses, windy streets, the smell of pizza wafting through the air, and everyone being so friendly.  With a view of the sea from our window we decided we were in paradise.

Our city - Riomaggiore

Mientras Milano era bellísimo, no me gusto tantísimo hasta que llegamos al parque nacional Cinqueterre.  Este sitio es como el Italia que ves en películas.  Casas de colores, calles estrechos y curvados , el oler de pizza en el aire y todos muy amables en las calles.  Con una vista del mar de nuestro ventana decidimos estábamos en Paradiso.  

Wouldn't be in Italy without out a little Mama Mia Pizza!

Or Gelato

Over the next couple days in Riomaggiore (The name of the town we stayed in), we sat by the sea, relaxed, drank some Italian wine, and explored.  On the second to last day I set off to do a hike between two of the small towns in the national park.  One of the most beautiful views of my life.  All in all between the views, the sea, and the amazing food it was difficult to leave.

Hiking around Riomaggiore

Mediterranean Sea

Por las proximas días en Riomaggiore (como se llama el pueblo en que quedamos), nos sentimos al lado del mar, relajamos, bebimos vino Italiano y exploramos.  La segunda dia fui andando entre dos de los pueblos en el parque.  Uno de los vistas mas bonitas de mi vida.  Al final, entre las viastas del mar, y la comida increíble era difícil a volver a casa.  

The hiking trail signs

Vernazza - The city I hiked to

And I leave it with this spectacular view above Riomaggiore at night

Happy Mother's Day

It is days like today that make living abroad difficult.  While I was still able to enjoy a spectacular day with some amazing friends, the fact of the matter is I am missing Mother's day.  A special day to let moms know how important they are.  I'm sure my family went about the normal routine of Sunday morning church, brunch with family and late afternoon flower shopping.  While this is something I get to do almost every year, I still miss it very much.  So I just want my mom to know that today I'm thinking about you, missing you, and hoping you are thinking about me too. This morning I ran a 5K race with my school.  I may not be in as tip top shape as I am sure you are, I finished.  So hopefully we can book a few more races to actually do together this summer!  Love you, Miss you! Erin

Son dias como hoy que son difíciles a vivir fuera.  Mientras todavía estaba disfrutando un día espectacular con unos amigos increíbles, el facto es que estoy perdiendo el día de la madre.  Un día especial avisar a madres que son tantas importantes.  Estoy seguro que mi familia hicieron su rutina normal de esto festivo de misa por la mañana, almuerza con familia y van de compras para flores por la tarde.  Aunque este es algo que hago casi cada ano con mi familia, todavía lo echo de menos muchísimo.  Quiero decir que mami, hoy estoy pensando en ti, echando de menos en ti, y esperando que me piensas en mi también.  Hoy por la mañana corrí una carrera de 5K en mi colé.  Es posible que no soy en tanto forma como tu, pero lo termine.  Espero que podemos hacer unos mas carreras juntas este verano!  Te amo, Te echo de menos!  Erin

Visits from Home

I had been waiting for April 1st since Christmas.  I had finished all the arrangements and made my way to the airport to pick up my Mom, Dad and Jonathan.  I could hardly contain my excitement.  After a long trip they looked pretty good.  If you don't remember from Minneapolis all the way to Vigo it is a minimum of 15 hours of travel.... minimum.  Depending on your flight route.

Ha estado esperando por el primer de abril desde la navidad.  He organizado todo y fui al aeropuerto a coger mi madre, padre y Jonathan.  No pude contener mi felicidad.  Después de un viaje largo se ven bastante bueno!  Si no recuerdas, el viaje desde Minneapolis a Vigo es un mínimo de 15 horas de viajar...... mínimo.  Dependiendo de los vuelos.  

The week I had with my parents and Jonathan was surreal.  We set out to see as much as possible and that we did.  At the beginning of the week my dad challenged me to wear him out.... I think I succeeded.  Our itenerary went a little like this:

La semana con mis padres y Jonathan me parece algo surrealista.  Intentamos a ver lo mas posible y lo hicimos.  Al principio de la semana mi padre me roto a cansarlo .... Pienso que tuvimos éxito.  Nuestro horario era como así:  

Day 1: Arrival - Cangas de Morrazo

Day 2: Park Castro in Vigo - Old Town Vigo - Supper O'Carrino

Day 3: Rent a Car- Visit School - Cambarro - Cambados

Day 4: Baiona (La Pinta Tour) - A Guarda Mountain - Tui Catedral - O Hio (Visit Pilar) - Donon Monte Facho

Day 5: Oporto Day Trip - Caves de Port Wine - Francesinha Sandwich - Movie Night (The Way)

Day 6: Reconquista in Vigo - Visited the Mercado - Shopping - Supper at Rosa's

Day 7: Santiago de Compostela Mass at the Cathedral

Day 8: Final day of shopping - Samil Beach - El Capitan Restaurant
Day 9: Said Goodbye =(

It was such a pleasure having my parents and Jonathan come visit me in Spain.  I hope that they learned a little bit and were able to see why I have fell in love with this amazing place.

Fue un placer a ver mis padres y Jonathan aquí en España.  Espero que aprendieron un poco y vieron porque me encanta a España tanto.