My Future Home ;)

Sicily: Catania 

After three days we had to say goodbye to Napoli! 

It was an overnight trip so this is how we slept. Luckily there weren't too many people.

Lucia!!

The architecture in Catania really impressed me.

There is no lack of statues, churches or water fountains in Italy.

The elephant is the official mascot of the town. There are elephants all over the city. This is because hundreds of years ago a skeleton of a elephant was found in Catania.

The building behind the elephant statue is City Hall. 

We took a mini train tour around the city. We ran into our Chinese friends we from Capri! :)

The Patron Saint is everywhere!

Bella

Statue of Vincenzo Bellini

Baroque Architecture  

Gorgeous park.

Through the whole tour Laura thought the old man in front was the mayor of Catania. She was so happy. Lucy  and I kept laughing so hard and I ended up breaking the bad news.

I am hoping that one day this will be my university. It's basically like the Letters and Science college in UC Davis. But of course, I would be studying Italian Literature!! <3

We went to City Hall and surprise, surprise, Laura got her own personal tour guide.

A celebration for the Patron Saint

This carriage is older than my grandma's grandma!

This painting caught my eye. This is St. Agatha, the patron saint of Catania.

Italian Pride. La tricolore.

 Inside City Hall

 Mini Lion

Yet another beautiful church. They are just as beautiful on the inside if not more beautiful. :)

 Me and my partner in crime. 

 The Underground Roman Amphitheater 

So happy. Can you blame me? 

After the tour we took some time to relax at the park and tried some of the famous Granita from the South.

 The weather was not perfect but the atmosphere sure was. Of course me and Lucy were observing the men from Catania :)

We ended up buying some personalized bracelets made on the spot. I know it's not a clear picture but mine says, Maria <3 Elena, in different colors. 

We only had one day in Catania but it was very memorable. We saw the city, made some friends, did some shopping, and ate cheap but delicious food. :) I will definitely be back to Catania. Best believe! 

Napoli Love

Naples Part Two

Admiring the view of the Sea. 

Italians love to graffiti on everything!

In fact, Italy has taught me that it's not love until you graffiti a statue, church or historical sight proclaiming your love. 

The name of this stand cracks me up. The music they were playing too...it was awful.

Laura and I at Putipu.

The BEST pizza I have ever had  was at this restaurant. I have dreams about this pizza! 

 Walking to the National Archaeological Museum 

 This statue is Venus Kallipygos. She was my favorite piece of the museum. 

  She uncovers her nudity with a deliberate effect created by the softness of her body and the heavy fall of her drapery. She uncovers herself enough to tease but still keeps it playful. 

 The museum had a large collection of art collected from the Herculaneum and Pompeii ruins.  

The pieces were explained with great detail. 

 :) This was in the courtyard. 

 The space itself was gorgeous. 

Heart of a lion. 

Never, for a single second do I forget how blessed I am to be here. I am living my dream guys! I couldn't ask for anything else. Well, it would have been nice to have you all with me. <3 Love you. 

Palazzo Pitti

In the first days of January my friend Lilly and I decided to go visit the grand Palazzo Pitti that belonged to the infamous Di Medici family. This palace is here in Florence. Here are some of our pics from that day. :)

 This pizza is from one of my favorite pizza places here in Italy, Gusta Pizza. The guys in Italy like to flirt with pretty much all women. Sooo when we walked in and ordered pizza they decided to make ours heart shaped. Real suttle guys, lol.

 Heart of a Lion.

 Showing the lion some love ;)

 It is so ferocious!!

 My friend Lilly posing with the lion.

 In Italy I am much more open. I do things like dougie in public. Haha.

 In front of the grand Pitti Palace.

 We went to the Pitti Palace to go see their beautiful garden but when we got there it was closed. :(

 We wanted to see the garden badly so we figured we would sneak in.

 Making sure no one is around.

haha jk.

 Since we couldn't go in I figured I would take some pics through the gate. From what I saw it is very beautiful. I can only imagine how even more gorgeous everything is from the inside.

 I plan to go back eventually. The Palace is so big that if you buy the combo ticket to see everything it is good for 3 days. :)

 Posing by the famous Ponte Vecchio.

I am so lucky to be living here. There is so much art and history in Florence.

Mia♡