PICTURES!

Here is the link to my Webshots photos...I'll try to add more soon.
http://community.webshots.com/user/katemakai

Wow, I actually did something productive!

Hey all...so I have been meaning to create a blog for a long time...seeing as I absolutely suck at corresponding. Well, although I only have a few weeks left here, I figured it's better late than never, and what's more I can post pics on here (I FINALLY got my digital camera back from being fixed...let's just say efficiency is not at the top of Italians' priorities)! I will post more about past trips and such when I have more time...

This weekend, despite being randomly afflicted with the chicken pox (no, I never had them as a kid and yes, I did get the vaccine - apparently it's not super effective. Oh well, the doctor said it was a mild case...although at this point it's lasted over two weeks which in my mind isn't exactly mild...hmmm) I went to PRAGUE! It was absolutely beautiful, although veryvery COLD (compared to Italy at least). My favorite part of the city was actually the architecture, there were so many beautiful churches and buildings - I really enjoyed the gothic and neo-gothic stuff (yes, I am a huge dork) i.e. churches with all these elaborate spires and external details. There were also tons of little Christmas markets set up in the various squares, which were fun to walk around.

We went to the Prague Castle, which has great views of the rest of the city and the river. Got to see the changing of the guard at the Royal Palace, as well as the Astrological Clock do it's little display (nothing spectacular to be honest...a little skeleton rings a bell and that's about it...). We took a walking tour of the city, which was actually really interesteding and informative, as non of us really knew anything about the history of the city beforehand. Walked along Charles Bridge and through Old Town Square and Wensaslas Square. Old Town Square was my favorite, that was where two of the more spectacular churches was, as well as the Astrological Clock, and a bunch of Christmas lights and markets. It was so beautiful at night, especially Saturday when it started to snow!

Ate a lot of goulash, sauerkraut, and dumplings as well as really cheap and really good beer. mmmm health food.

Got back last night safe and sound and now have two weeks of class/hardcore studying ahead of me before "finals". Granted our classes here are kind of a joke, I have done practically nothing for them so far so I have quite a bit of catching up to do...

I have tried to post some pictures from this weekend as well as from other trips I have taken over the last few months...I will try to add explanations later.

Hope everyone is great and I can't believe I will be back in the states in less than a month!!

ciao tutti quanti