Firenze: A lesson in Defensive Walking

First off, let me wish those of you in tech a very easy weekend, those of you in light hang a very easy weekend, and to the rest of you: Happy Halloween!

So yesterday I made it to Italy without much difficulty. I mean, except for Bank of America, which is determined to make banking difficult, contrary to their slogan. Probably the best thing about Italy is that I am here and staying with my mom for the next two weeks! It has been 2 weeks since i have seen her, 2 months since I have lived with her, and 17 years since we have been in Florence together.



The last time I was here in Firenze I was in kindergarten. I don't remember much from the trip but some flashes really stand out. It was my first taste of international travel (i actually think i was a better traveler then than i am now) and probably part of the reason i am here on this adventure today. So thank you, Mom!

Anyway, we are staying in a beautiful apartment in a building that is a converted palace. yeah. palace. it is wonderful and i think the best part is the entrance, which is between floor 1 and floor 2. so basically, she lives on floor 1.5...it's like being john malkovich.





we are in the Oltrarno, which is across from the centre of the city. The Duomo is here, the Bell Tower, the Uffizi, and so many more museums dedicated to the centuries of fabulous art and culture.





Um...and did i mention how delicious the food is? Espresso for breakfast at the apartment, my mom goes out and gets scrumptious pastries, and the past two lunches have been so great. gnocci, pizza, you name it, they got it. the smells of the foods and baked goods waft through the small streets as you look at the gorgeous designer boutiques and the traditional italian leather shops (more to come on bags, boots, and behind-the-scenes later!)

speaking of walking--here it's a bit of a nightmare. in america we are taught defensive driving, but places like italy are where you learn defensive walking. people push, they stand close in line, if you want to get somewhere, you have to shove your way through. and when there are umbrellas involved? oh boy. watch your eyes. thankfully this city allows sunglasses a lot more than london.

this week we have the museums booked for tours but I think my favorite part of the trip so far has been stopping at this amazing pasticceria called Fabbrica di Cioccolata Rivoire. My mom and i stopped to have a hot cocoa--the BEST hot cocoa in the world. It's like liquid chocolate with amazing whipped cream on top--(think like "Chocolate" downtown, times twenty).



The last time i had it i was 6 years old. It's good to be back.

-Antonia

PS Here's a link to the entire Italy album so far. For the designers out there, I've attached interesting design details that have struck my eye (Edgar, this one's for you!)

Italy

Retail Therapy.

adapting to life in a new city or country can be pretty stressful. it can also wear you out quickly. i have slept more each night i've been in london than i have for over a year while in school and theatre. even when i was out of theatre and living in dublin i could never sleep this much. i've pretty much allowed myself to be lazy, as to not overload, and yesterday i spent nearly the whole day in.
i went to sainsbury's to buy ingredients to make my famous eclairs. they were well-received, which made me happy, and for dinner i went with justin, francesca, my other cousin jason and his gf sophie to a place called cafe pacifico for dinner. and yes, it was mexican food. surprisingly, it's the best mexican food i've ever had in britain. we also had margaritas and finished off the evening at a british pub. j&f just went to morocco, and j&s are on their way to india next week. its making me think about broadening my horizons and going somewhere more interesting in my next euro trip. if only i had someone to go with me.

today was a great day. i get off the tube at covent garden (think 'my fair lady'). it's a beautiful, picturesque place during the evening, but at the high point of the afternoon the half-term schoolchildren and international tourists swarm the place. the shops are bustling, and down James' Street i see a plethora of artists and performers. magicians, moving statues, even a man dressed like a dog. my eyes travel from one side of the road to the next--two opposing pubs that look almost identical from the exterior. except one's named 'the white lion' and the other's 'the nags head'. charming.

Covent Garden Market itself has everything from high end clothiers to outdoor market stalls. My favorite corner houses a cookie company on one side, and Ella's Bakehouse on the other. I stop at Ella's for a gourmet cupcake. get this: they not only have sprinkles--they sparkle! somehow they have created an edible glitter that makes these cupcakes quite magical. and delicious.

http://ellasbakehouse.co.uk/

From there i go on an adventure (quite a long one) to find the London Graphix Centre. This is THE art store to go to, and not cheap. I picked up some Tombos in greyscale and a few new pencils and sketchbooks. I was happy to be there though, it was comforting.

http://www.londongraphics.co.uk/

After this i take the tube back up to marble arch and proceed to walk down oxford street towards oxford circus. forget halloween, the streets are all done up for christmas! and there are SWARMS of people with giant carrier bags. i try primark for the first time, which is a madhouse, and stock up on cold weather clothes. i pass selfridges, where the giant christmas trees are already lit up, and the window displays rival macy's in december.

it's too hectic for me, and i take a side street down and have a coffee at the popular Toast. i travel slowly down new bond street and the stores say it all. burburry. mulberry, chanel, gucci, asprey, harry winston. as i approach new bond street the carrier bags become glossier and glossier, even the footfalls of shoes sound more expensive. i feel more and more out of place, with my military faux wool coat and deeply distressed lauren by ralph lauren riding boots. i'm just a big lumbering american, but the place has so much beauty. it's aesthetically pleasing. i take a turn off a side street and land on savile row.

the thing about Savile Row is that it is NEVER crowded. when you can afford a bespoke suit, you have no need to rush, and there's no need for the hard sell. if you can afford it, you can be there. it was deserted. looking in the windows was a dream--custom made shirts, tailored suits, ages of british custom passed down in sophisticated haberdasheries. but the REAL treat (for me, at least) is looking down, passed the beautiful window displays on the ground floor---down to the sublevel. like new york city, or any older city, there is a lower level that sometimes house shops, sometimes apartments. these lower levels are where the savile row companies have their tailoring. you can see the machines, the half-made suits--where the real artists work. it's really quite fascinating. this sublevel was bustling much more than the shops above. to be a fly on that wall.

by this time, though, i am exhausted and it is time to drag my less-than-pricey carrier bags back to the circus and take the tube home. it's been quite an exciting day and after a bath i foresee movie time and an early night.

xoxo,
antonia

Fashions, fumbles, findings and faux pas...

The strangest parts about being in a foreign country, the things that surprise or give you culture shock, generally aren't the large things. I am used to different languages, accents, currency, etc. Yet the small things really trip me up--especially when I am feeling particularly jet-lag. A lot of these things I do know, I just forget until I am here again. And sometimes there are new things that surprise me. Here are my top 10:

10) From top-of-the-line iphone to crappy pay-as-you-go.

I now have the worlds most archaic cell phone. And when I go out for a day's adventure i forget to pack my trusty map, thanks to a reliance on my google map app. I just traveled back in time 4 years. (FYI don't call my american cell #--it's temporarily disconnected)

9) Looking the wrong way while crossing the street.

Yeah, I remember that cars drive on the other side of the road. it's getting used to looking R-L-R instead of L-R-L that is so hard.

8) Surprise! Here Splenda comes in little tablets, not granules.

They're like little mints.

7) Museums are always FREE. (my personal favorite!)

6) Don't talk about buying pants in public (pants = underwear).

5) I am the only person in the entire city wearing sunglasses. Better stop that.

4) Tea always tastes better.

I always forget this one, and am pleasantly surprised.

3) You can tell a London woman by her epic boots.

I envy all the pairs I see walking down the street every day.

2) The V&A offers short courses in subjects like Art Deco Design and The Making of Modern Theatre.
http://www.vam.ac.uk/activ_events/courses/index.html
Yeah, they're pricey, but ANYONE can take them (including me!)

1) Carving pumpkins, no matter what country you are in or how old you are, makes it feel like Halloween!

From London

I bet you can guess which one is mine ;)

London. day two.

Well folks, I made it to cold cold London. Part of me still doesn't believe it--I've wanted to live here since I was 15 years old. However, I don't think it will quite sink in until I have been here for more than two weeks--the normal amount of time i stay. So it went: US Airways--SF, Philly, Heathrow, Paddington, Tube, my new home.

I am currently living with my cousin Justin and his girlfriend Francesca in North London in a beautiful late Victorian flat.

From London

From London

They are so amazing. Yesterday was a great game of trying to keep Antonia awake until 9pm, so she can stay in the right time zone. We walked through the park, made a lovely pizza for dinner, and hung out just talking about our cool plans. We are having American thanksgiving this year and I am making the pumpkin pie, as usual.

It's only day two, but I, who still had my iphone stuck on Eastern Time, thought I was sleeping in till 10am but really until 3pm! it was 17 hours of sleep, which is a bit excessive. I still can't quite believe i am here, so today i decided to go down to see something quintessentially london--i took the tube to the houses of parliament and big ben.

From London

From London

Afterwards I went for a walk through Regent's park up to Buckingham palace and went home.

From London

We had a lovely dinner of Bangers and Mash (mine vegetarian) and champagne.

From London

 It's amazing how at home I feel here and around the city, however it still is overwhelming. The best thing I can do is take this one day at a time. After my rather rattling conversation with immigration at Heathrow, I know that I won't be able to stay any later than the first week of March, so I will make the most of it while i can. Tomorrow I've decided to visit another favorite--the V&A, and get my bearings. We have a lot of great plans for the holidays here, including La Boheme at the Royal Opera in November, which means dressing up in our finest.

I've started an album on Picassa, where these pics are posted (btw, know a better way for me to upload these?) where I will post more pictures.

London

one week.

Well this is it. One week to go. I've been having a lovely time seeing people and spending quality time with them before I leave, as well as getting some time in San Francisco. But the most exciting news would probably have to be...

my acceptance to FIDM!

So now, finally, the explanation. For those of you who don't know, the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising has a Professional Designation Program in fashion design for those who already have an bachelor's degree. While I had been considering the school on and off for two years, it took the boredom of not having any work or projects going on in my life to finally get off my ass and take a risk. I got my portfolio together and contacted admissions. I went through the process very quickly (thanks to my wonderful professors/recommendations) and completed the admissions project. 6 fashion sketches and a mood board--for me, based on Lysistrata.

For those of you who saw me lurking around the theatre department the past two weeks, now you know why.

So now, knowing i can start the program as early as spring 2011, I can breathe easy and really enjoy my time abroad. like i said, I am a planner, and it's nice to have something solid to come home to. Plus I am really excited to hone my skills--both artistically and practically--in garment design. Also, it gives me more future career options.

I think that i am going to get a journal/sketchbook together so that i can collect postcard & drawings from museums, fabrics from favorite stores, and use them for inspiration. what do you guys think? have you ever kept an inspiration journal? any suggestions for things i might do to remember this time?

I feel very fortunate to have this opportunity. i am very excited about the next year of my life, even if i don't always show it.

xoxo,
antonia

ready for departure?

Well it's been a long time coming...my first blog. Normally I wouldn't think that anything I'd have to say would be worth writing down, but since I will be leaving for London in two and half weeks, I figured the time was right to start. It's really the best way to keep in touch with everyone at home, post pictures and let you all know what I am up to.

It looks like my extended stay in Europe will also mean a trip to Korea to see Lana and Steve, hopefully seeing Brandin in Paris, and spending quality time with my mom in Italy. I must say I am looking forward to it, and I'm definitely ready. For the past two months I have been moving almost every week--moving out of my place, visiting family, bouncing between Santa Cruz and my dad's place up in Dublin. It's been really hectic, but it has helped me get used to the idea of leaving and not knowing exactly where I am going to end up.

For those who know me well, it's obvious that I am a planner. I've never been a "fly by the seat of my pants" kind of gal, but I figured it was time to change all of that. That's why I decided to call this blog "the unexpected adventurer." At least I didn't call it "the unwilling and slightly dazed adventurer" which it sometimes feels like I am.

The past few months have certainly helped me prepare for this, though, and it is nice to have a date to come back and start real life again (ahem--Travis and Kim gettin' hitched!) I've even bought an HP laptop--cheaper and lighter than the beloved Mac computers I've had all my life. Wow, I am getting loosey-goosey.

It's just one of those things--everything in my life is changing quickly, I am just trying to keep up. I am very excited but extremely nervous. Keeping in touch with all of you from home will certainly help me stay sane. I plan on emailing, skyping, and using facebook as well to stay connected and see how everything is going back at home.

Oct 23rd...the countdown begins.


xoxo,
Antonia