Ciao a tutti, belli e brutti!

Since I've been in Italy, I think I've possibly been the world's worst blogger everrrrr. But you know what they say - time flies when you're having fun!

I moved to Verona around 12 weeks ago now and I can say without a shadow of a doubt that I am having the time of my life! Of course, Santiago will always have a special place in my heart, along with all of the people I met there (Compostelanos, I will never forget you!) The thing about Verona, and Italy as a whole, is that it's all new for me. I'd never been here before so the first few weeks were a real eye-opener - everyday I was learning/seeing/trying/enjoying something new and I'm really happy to have had the opportunity to spend time in such an amazing country. 

Verona itself is absolutely beautiful; I couldn't have asked for a better place to spend half of my Erasmus year. From the buildings to the food, the people to the language, from my university classes to the obsession with the story of Romeo and Juliet*, I just love everything!

Thanks to Student Finance Wales coming in twice this semester, as well as receiving the last part of my Erasmus grant (Oh Erasmus grant, I do love you) I have been lucky enough to be able to visit some incredible places already, and I'm only halfway through my time here! Checked off the list so far are:

• Venice
• Bologna
• Trieste
• Bergamo
• Vittorio Veneto
• Milan

Still to come (hopefully) are Florence/Siena/Pisa, Rome & the Vatican, Cinque Terre, Sicily and possibly a cheeky trip back to Spain! Looks like a diet of just rice and beans could be on the cards for the next few weeks ...

However, as much as I would love to stay and fill you all in with my adventures of the past few months, I'm afraid bed is calling my name - after a heavy weekend in Milan, I am cream cracker-ed! I promise I will try and update this more regularly though, if only for myself; This year has been such a fantastic one and I want to try and remember as much as possible.

A dopo!

*The story of Romeo and Juliet is, quite literally, everywhere. There is Juliet's house and balcony, Juliet's tomb, R&J gift shops and an actual 'Juliet Club', who respond to letters sent to Juliet, asking for advice about love (More about this in a later post)

Home at last!

Well what a year 2013 was!! I can only hope 2014 will be just as good, although something tells me that the next part of my year abroad, in Verona, is going to be a good 'un!

So here I am at 2.30am, desperately trying to avoid revising (yes, it's got to that stage). But seeing as nobody would want to hear about my revision - or lack of - I give you a clip from the Inbetweeners, much funnier and sums up my life right now in a nutshell!

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T5p6TUe1kAo

Anyway, back to the more exciting stuff - Christmas! I had a LOVELY time at home, to catch up with everyone again and have a proper cup of tea! The day we left Santiago was pretty busy although it certainly got me in the Christmas mood - first stop was a coffee and cake at our fave cafe, before getting the bus to the airport. What was nice was that there were a few of us on the same flight, so made for a much nicer journey than travelling alone, especially as we were able to sit next to each other! (Note: Between RyanAir and EasyJet, the latter wins. EVERY TIME.)

                       Just before take-off, with Nancy too of course!

Arriving at London, I was a mixed bag of emotions - excited of course, but also nervous, happy, sad, everything you could think! More than anything, it was so strange. But, there was no time to stop and think about it as I was being met from the airport by my friend, who was to be showing me around London. I had the best couple of days EVER, it's definitely the place to be at Christmas time! First stop was outdoor ice skating at the Natural History Museum - of course, it poured it down with rain and I fell over within the first 5 minutes, although I do think this was ever so slightly inevitable - this is me we're talking about!

Next was Oxford Street to see the Christmas lights - I honestly felt like a kid in a sweet shop! They were incredible. We also had a look in Hamley's and I tell you, I've never wanted to be a child again so badly in my life. The toys!! Oh my.

Lastly was a visit to the Ice Bar, which I would definitely recommend to people looking for something slightly different to do! So you go in and get given your cape/cloak-y thingy, then head to the part of the bar that is actually made of ice. I'm not one for the cold usually, but this was great! Included in the price is a cocktail, which is served in a glass made completely of ice - an experience to say the least!

Michela and I at the ice bar, London.

 However, I think the most exciting part of the whole trip had to be .... Getting the tube for the first time!! Yes I know, simple things and all that..