WEEK 2 - CITTÀ DI CREMONA & SETTLING IN!

Cremona's 'Duomo' and clock tower!

Buongiorno! Well it’s 8am here in Pavia which is the earliest that I’ve been up in a long time thanks to the workmen drilling on the flats over the other side of the road. The roar of their drills is deafening- so much so that I’ve now put in some earplugs to keep myself from going insane! 

I haven't blogged for over a week now, so I thought it was time for an update of 'Mi Vita Erasmus' in Italy. I’ve nearly been here for two weeks now, and where the time is going I have no idea! Mum left nearly a week ago, but before she went home we had time to go on a little trip to a nearby city called Cremona. Just over an hour east from Pavia by train, it was perfect for a day trip and it turned out to be a lovely city full of gorgeous Renaissance and Medieval architecture. I especially loved the main 'Piazza del Comune'  and the 'Duomo' with its very tall clock tower.  It's 112m in height according to my guide book, and is one of Italy's tallest medieval towers built in the mid 13th century! We really enjoyed wandering around the small city centre and to me it was a perfect little Italian city. Not many people would have heard of Cremona as when you think of Italy, people tend to think of the bigger more well-known cities such as Milan, Bologna, Rome, Pisa, Verona, Venice..... but I think it's such a shame to overlook the smaller provincial cities such as Cremona as they have so much to offer, and are incredibly rich in architecture and history.  It's always a good thing to travel more widely and experience all a country has to offer as well! Whilst I am here in Pavia, I really want to see as much of the north of Italy as I can as train travel is so cheap and Pavia is an excellent base for my travels. So far I've seen Milan, Cremona and of course Pavia, and next weekend Vicky and I are going to visit another provincial city called Mantova which is 2 hours east of Pavia. It's supposedly a wonderful pretty city according to my my trusty friend- the 'Rough Guide to Italy', so we shall see! and then the weekend after when Flo comes we are going to Verona for the weekend! I am incredibly excited as it's meant to be the most romantic city in Italy due to being the setting for Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, and I've always wanted to go. 

Back to Cremona, Mum and I enjoyed wandering around and taking photos! We found this wonderful statue of a lion-type creature on the entrance to the 'Duomo' and I just couldn't resist having a photo with the mythical creature! What do you think he is?

My lovely lion-type creature!

One of the cute little streets by the Piazza

The magnificent Duomo through one of the arches on the Piazza

After all of our wandering around the little side streets, we decided to park up for a cappuccino in one of the street cafes which faced onto the Piazza. I honestly couldn't think of a better way to enjoy the sun going down than sitting with a cappuccino with a gorgeous view of the Duomo and the lively Piazza! As the evening started, Mum and I took some lovely photos of the Duomo all lit up, and then started to slowly wander back towards the train station whilst enjoying browsing in the street market.

Our cappuccinos!

The view of the piazza and the Duomo as sunset came!

Last view of Cremona's piazza and Duomo!

The street-market all lit up!

We certainly had a lovely day visiting Cremona- definitely worth it for a day trip. Since Mum went home, I've been settling into my 'Vita Erasmus' in Pavia nicely. Lizi and I are really enjoying our Italian classes and the teacher is so good! We have a class later on this evening and I'm looking forward to going! I just need to complete the homework first! I still don't have my modules confirmed yet, or sent off my learning agreement. I do however have a set of possible modules, and I'll get some more information and get those modules approved tomorrow when I go for a meeting with the Erasmus head of Modern Languages- Then maybe I can actually start going to the classes! Last week Lizi and I also went to our first Erasmus social event which was a 'meet and greet' type of evening 'Aperitivo' at a local bar called 'Pane & Salame' (Bread and Salami?) - strange name for a bar! At first we were a bit overwhelmed, but we soon started chatting to people and met Spaniards, Italians, Greeks, Lithuanians, English, Americans and even Danish! A real mix of people! Lizi and I also got our 'ESN' (Erasmus Student Network) membership cards, and we thought that we had to pay for food and drinks, but we found a bottle of wine on a table outside and soon we had a group of people to chat to! There was also lots of free food- so we tucked into that aswell! After the bar we all then went to an area of grass near Uni to play 'orientation games' which involved crazy team activities such as getting an apple from one end of the line to the other end by using your teeth, making a free-standing tower out of newspaper, playing blindfolded dodgeball with newspaper balls and threading string through each team member's trousers and tops (see photo below!).  We certainly had some fun :)

Us all chatting over wine and nibbles

The string-threading task!

On Friday for the day Lizi and I 'popped to Milan'. I love saying that as it's amazing that we can just go for the day to such a fantastic city just because it is so close! We decided we fancied a bit of a shopping trip, and we had lunch at my place beforehand to avoid paying for lunch, and then by 13.30 we were already hitting the shops! Lizi got some jeans and I got a new jacket and a skirt ready for the summer. When we were tired of shopping we got ice creams and sat down to enjoy them on the piazza infront of the Duomo whilst sunbathing and engaging in a spot of people watching! It was a lovely day out! I already took lots of photos of Milan on the last trip when we went with my Mum, so I didn't take as many on this visit. Still, here's another photo of the incredible Duomo!

Milan's Duomo!

On Saturday I finally met up with Vicky for the first time since being here. We went for a walk down by the river and enjoyed the sunshine! We also bumped into some other Erasmus girls and chatted to them for a bit on the grass before continuing our walk all along the river. The riverside was so pretty and I snapped a few photos (yes.... by now you know I'm a bit obsessed with photography!)

The Ponte Coperto

Everyone enjoying the sun on the river banks

A view of the Ticino river

Then Saturday evening Vicky and I went out for a bite to eat at a restaurant/bar called 'Loft 10' in the center of town. It was really busy there as it was Saturday evening, so we had to sit outside but it wasn't a problem as it was sheltered . We ordered a cocktail each for 7 euros, and then we were allowed free unlimited access to the buffet! It was honestly one of the best buffet's I've been to, and consisted mainly of vegetarian food! There were different types of pastas, mini pizzas, all types of salad, cheeses, bread, rice dishes, chickpeas, risotto, mozzarella and tomato salad..... the list is endless! My Piña Colada cocktail was also divine =] I can't wait to take Flo there next week, and Gemma in May aswell! She'll love it as she's a vegetarian like me!

Piña Colada cocktail!!

After our buffet dinner, Vicky took me to a bar called 'Manà' in the center where we ordered some gigantic cocktails and chatted for a while before meeting Lizi and some other Erasmus girls! Before long we were all pretty drunk and chatting away drinking even more cocktails! I should probably have stopped there when I was 'happy drunk' as this soon turned into very drunk and Vicky and I decided we should probably head home! It was a really great night though, and I can't wait to meet more Erasmus people and discover more places to go out. 

The girls =] Karolina, Lizi, Vicky, Melane and Stefanie

Me with my gigantic 'Sex on the beach' cocktail!

Lizi and me =]

Stefanie, Me, Lizi, Vicky and Melane

All of us with shots! (i think they were free from the barman!)

One, two, three DOWN ITTTTTT! (I was so drunk by this point that I didn't even taste this shot!)

Right that's it from me for now! I'm going to go and make myself a lovely Italian spaghetti lunch with a mozzarella and tomato salad! Then this afternoon I think I need to do some work for my Italian course ready for this evening! Time to organise all my notes and do the homework! I'll be back this weekend after my trip to Mantova with Vicky! baciii da Italia xxx 

UNA GITA A MILANO ! (A trip to Milan)

Milan's iconic 'Duomo'

Yesterday was a day that I've been looking forward to for a long time- a trip to MILANO! It's around half an hour north of Pavia by train- so really close! and it costs only €3.75 one way! Mum and I set off from the flat around 9 am to walk the few minutes to the train station where we were meeting Lizi, and shortly after we were on the train heading to Italy's 2nd largest city. On arrival it was very straight-forward to find the metro station in 'Milano Stazione Centrale' and we bought 3 all-day passes for €4.50 each which allowed us unlimited travel by metro, tram and bus in the city. After a few stops on the tube, we exited at 'Duomo' which is the stop for the main cathedral of Milan. As we climbed up the stairs out of the tube station we got our first view of Milan, and possibly the greatest view of the whole city- the Duomo. The 'Piazza del Duomo' is certainly the focal point of central Milan, and standing on the piazza is the iconc 'Duomo' which I learnt is the world's largest Gothic cathedral. In my guide book it states that construction began in 1386 and didn't finish until 1813! That's an incredible 427 years to construct it!

When we arrived in Milan it was mid-morning so the Piazza del Duomo wasn't illuminated by the sun, so instead we decided to go and see some of the other sights of the city before returning to the Piazza in the afternoon to take photos. Just off the north of the Piazza del Duomo was the 'Galleria Vittorio Emanuele 11' which is a glass gallery designed in 1865 as a covered walkway between the Piazza del Duomo and the Piazza della Scala. It is full of expensive classy shops such as the 80 year old Prada shop, and a Louis Vuitton which Lizi and I couldn't resist getting a photo in front of!

The 'Galleria Vittorio Emanuele 11'

Inside the Galleries

Lizi and I infront of the Louis Vuitton shop!

We then decided to walk the short distance north-west to see the 'Castello Sforzesco' (Fortified castle) which is a large red-brick Renaissance castle. Inside are many different museums, but given that we were pushed for time, we just decided to just admire the outside! There was a lovely fountain as well, and a pretty rainbow could be seen from the center as it was such a sunny day!

The castle.

Lizi and me by the fountain outside the castle

Another lovely shot of the fountain and the castle

Mum and Me!

By the time we had finished taking photos at the castle, it was around midday, so we headed back towards the 'Piazza del Duomo' to sit and enjoy the Piazza. It was unusually busy as it was the last day of the 'Carnevale Ambrosiano Milano' (Carnival) and all of the children were dressed up and everyone was throwing confetti and silly string about!- by the early evening the entire centre of the city was covered in a pretty carpet of confetti- I'm glad though that I'm not the one to clear it up! We then went inside the Duomo for a quick look around as it was free! The inside was magnificent- the sheer dimensions of the building were incredible and I especially liked all of the stained glass windows. After a look around we decided to climb the 250 stairs to the rooftop of the cathedral where there were some panoramic views of the city. It was so hot up there with the sun beating down on the roof that a lot of people were soaking up the suns rays wearing only tee-shirts and it is only February! Lizi and I sunbathed for around an hour whilst Mum wandered around the roof looking at the views and taking photos!

Inside the Duomo

Another shot from inside the Duomo showing the extensive size of the interior

Lizi and me on our way up to the rooftop!

Lizi and me on the roof

The view of the 'Piazza del Duomo' from the rooftop of the Duomo

Some of the spires of the Duomo

Lizi and me enjoying a spot of sunbathing!

After our sunbathing on the rooftop of the Duomo, we were all pretty peckish, so we went wandering in search of a nice restaurant with some outdoor tables. We soon found one on the shopping street of Via Dante, and had a table on the terrace outside. Mum ordered a lasagne, and Lizi and I shared a mozzarella and tomato pizza and a small baguette. Next on the trip was finding the 'Santa Maria delle Grazie' church where Leonardo da Vinci's 'The last supper' mural lives. We knew that Mum probably wouln't get to see the painting as there is at least a month waiting list, but we still went to see as the guide book mentioned that there are sometimes cancellations. Mum was out of luck, however we did get to see the lovely terracotta-and-brick church. 

Lizi and me in front of the Duomo

The crowds on the Piazza del Duomo

Via Dante

The church of  'Santa Maria delle Grazie'

After seeing the church, we had one more important area of Milan to visit which was the 'Giardini Pubblici' (Public gardens). Known as Milan's most attractive park, it is a lovely area in which to take a break from the busy streets of the centre. It is a large area filled with trees, a lake and a children's playground and it was very busy when we went with hundreds of people enjoying the last of the sun's rays, reading, walking and dog walking. 

The 'Giardini Pubblici'

Another view inside the park

A lovely place to stroll the afternoon away in the sun in Milan!

I think that's about it from my first trip to Milano. It was a really great day out, and I think Mum enjoyed it too! Lizi and I are going to return in a few weeks for some shopping time, and hopefully to see two of our friends who are in Turin for their second semester of Erasmus. Mum and I are now off to the town of Cremona for the day which is about an hour east of Pavia by train- quite close to Verona. The guide-book claims that it is a charming medieval town much like Pavia, and has an impressive Duomo, Piazza and Tower to see. I'll be back soon with more Italian Erasmus adventures! BACIIIIII (kisses!) xxx

 

FIRST BLOG FROM MY SEMESTER 2 IN PAVIA- ITALY!

Mum looking out over the Ticino river at sunset

A view of one of the courtyards at the Uni

Ciao! Well here’s my very first long-awaited blog from semester two of ‘Mi Vita Erasmus’ in Pavia, Italy!  I’ve only been here two days, and already I love this little medieval Italian city! After a long 12 hour journey from the Isle of Wight on Wednesday leaving at 6am, we finally arrived in Pavia around 6pm to be greeted at the station by Elena; my Italian flatmate! It was hard at first to think in Italian to speak to her, but now two days later I’ve already improved so much! Mum, Elena and I then had a very short 5 minute walk to the flat, and then she showed me around my new home for the next 5 months.

My block of flats

My room!

Another shot of my room!

The flat is really great, centrally located and I’m so happy with it. It’s really student-like and quirky, and I have a large room with a double bed and plenty of space- score! And I have an Italian flatmate who will help me to improve so much as I’ll be using Italian on a daily basis! I am really happy to have found this place as I had heard that student flats in Italy usually involve sharing a room with someone, so I feel quite lucky to have found this place, and for €185 a month which is incredibly cheap in comparison to other places I came across when flat-hunting online. The room was a bit bare to begin with, but I soon made it homely and sprawled my extensive collection of posters, photos and post cards all over the walls! I think it looks quite nice now don’t you think?

Enough decoration?

The dining area

The hall

The balcony

After a bit of unpacking, Mum and I were desperate to see a bit of Pavia so we went for a wander into the city centre. Armed with a map, we navigated the 10 minute walk to the Piazza Vittoria which is the main plaza of the city. It is a rectangle shape with cobble stones and lined with restaurants and bars on either side. We were pretty hungry by then so we found what looked like a very popular pizzeria (Bella Napoli) as it was full of natives and went in to have our first real Italian pizza! It looked quite posh, but was actually very reasonably priced and we ordered two pizzas, a mixed salad and some drinks. Shortly the food came, and the size of the pizzas was incredible! They were very tasty and neither of us could finish them as they were so big! After dinner we then headed back to the flat and decided that we knew the way and that we didn’t need the map. We of course got lost and by accident stumbled across the Uni and a castle! Our diversion only took us an extra half an hour to get home, and then we both crashed out on the bed as we were so exhausted from the journey! 

Another Uni courtyard

Mum and Lizi by a statue at the Uni

Thursday we woke up quite late after such a much needed long sleep and first of all went to find the nearest supermarket to stock up on a few cupboard and fridge essentials. We found a Carrefour Express just 2 minutes away so went there to buy a few bits before heading back to the apartment to have breakfast. We then went into the centre to meet Lizi who is also here from Leicester Uni for her second semester! We were all pretty hungry by mid-day so found a nice little cafe on the Piazza Vittoria and ordered three paninis and some drinks and settled down to enjoy people watching and enjoying the sunshine! A bit later we headed over to the Uni as we had an Italian exam to find out our Italian level for the course that we are going to be doing all semester. Lizi and I were fairly certain that it was going to be a written/multiple choice exam but were very wrong as it turned out to be an oral! We entered the room, and then realised that it was an oral in front of many other students so we just looked at each other with fear and ran out of the room before they could catch us! There was no way that either of us wanted to start speaking in Italian in front of a lot of people on our first day in Italy! It didn’t matter that we didn’t do the exam anyway as the coordinator had mentioned previously in an email that if students couldn’t make the exam then we would be placed in the level group that we had indicated on our form. It turns out now that Lizi and I are in the ‘elementary’ group which we both think suits our level as they are going to be following the same course book which we used for Italian at Leicester in Year 2- luckily I brought it with me to Italy!

The Ticino river

After scarpering from the exam and feeling quite rebellious, we then decided to explore the city a bit more! We had a wander around the many pretty court-yards which make up the University, and then we spotted a phone shop so we decided to go in and investigate getting an Italian phone number. Lizi wanted a phone new cheap phone, whereas I just wanted an Italian SIM-card for my iphone. We both ended up getting exactly what we wanted- see, our Italian can’t be that bad can it? Pleased with our new Italian phone numbers, we headed south-wards towards the Ticino river to sit on a bench and enjoy the view!  We walked over the ‘Ponte Coperto’ which means just covered bridge, and took lots of pretty photos! It was especially pretty as the sun set don’t you think? Mum and I then went to accompany Lizi on a flat-viewing that she had arranged, and I’m happy to say that she took the flat so she now has somewhere to live and can move out of the hotel! Mum and I then got some more food shopping as we found a bigger Carrefour, and headed back to the flat to cook dinner, relax and go to sleep as we were tired again from all of the walking! 

The Ticino river at sunset

Lizi and I on the bridge!

Today has been a lovely relaxing day, and after a long sleep in my super comfy double bed Mum and I woke up to some wonderful sunshine and a bright blue sky! We wandered into the centre as I wanted to get myself registered with the University. We found the Erasmus office without any problems and I managed to register and even had my Uni Erasmus card straight away! We then went to enjoy the 20 degree sunshine in a cafe on the Piazza Vittoria before wandering around the city a bit more admiring the architecture.

 

Our first Italian meal!

For lunch we made our first real Italian pasta dish and christened the kitchen. I then wanted to go for a walk down to the Ticino River again and as the sunshine was so bright we got some lovely photos! Mum and I were so hot we took off our coats and Mum even wanted to take off her cardigan, but decided against it as we were already getting some strange looks from the Italians who were all wrapped up and even wearing scarves, hats and gloves! I’m now with Mum and Lizi in Lizi’s hotel as I write this blog and we’re having a drink in the bar! We still don’t have wifi in my flat, but Elena has contracted it and I think we’re just waiting for activation now. Hopefully it’ll happen soon..... but then again going by the wifi wait in Salamanca I’m not getting my hopes up! Mum, Lizi and I are off to Milan tomorrow for the day so I’m pretty excited! I’ll update soon with lots of pretty photos from our trip to Milan and ‘Mi Vita Erasmus’ CIAO!

The 'Duomo' - main cathedral of Pavia

Piazza della Vittoria (Main plaza)

The front of the University

A courtyard in Uni

Uni courtyard- so pretty!

Can you see me?

Uni

Me by the Ticino river