sedici giorno

Friday, May 20, 2011

GET THIS!

Last night our study-abroad-fam was walking to dinner and we pulled over on this little side street to have a chat about our plans for the next day. We were on the most random street in Florence minding our own business when all of a sudden some guy came frantically running up to those of us with our cameras out and yelled, “Put your cameras away! No flash photography, please!!!” We were all so confused. We’re used to getting yelled at for using cameras in the museums, but it made no sense why we were getting in trouble for using them in public. Then, it became clear…

Cameras were rolling and it was obvious that something was being filmed. My mind flashed back to months before we even left for Italy and I found out that the cast of Jersey Shore was going to be in Florence filming the next season. I remember telling Amy and Kiahna and we joked around about finding them and being on the show. My legs turned to jello and adrenaline began pulsing through my veins as I snapped back to reality… At an arm’s distance away, I saw the 3 main stars on MTV’s Reality TV show: Vinny, Pauly D, and Snookie. They were walking RIGHT in front of us and the cameras were rolling. OH MY GOOOOOOSH! We all froze for a split second (Seriously, is this real life??) and then Amy and I looked at each other with the exact same thought running through our heads as we grabbed each other’s hands and started running after them!

We pushed through the crowds and made our way through to the cast. I literally could have kissed each and every one of them! That’s how close I was! All the Italians were gathering around and were all asking what they were filming; the police just kept saying, “It’s an American TV show, don’t worry about it.” And we yelled… “We’re AMERICAN!!!” We knew exactly what they were filming! I don’t even like Jersey Shore and I was nothing short of freaking out. I constantly made fun of Snookie during the previous seasons and here I was practically kissing the ground she walks on! I guess seeing any celebrity in real life turns the tables a little bit… For a moment there, I almost thought I was her biggest fan! I even had myself fooled!

They were walking down a small street of a bunch of little shops and a group of us girls had made it into the doorway of a store right in their path. It was the perfect spot for my newfound paparazzi talent. Vinny and Pauly D walked right past us and we made some magical eye contact. Apparently we were standing in the doorway of the store they wanted to go into, so right after I snapped a close-up of Snookie, she turned to us girls and said (in her trashy Jersey accent), “Back up, b*tches!”

It. Was. AWESOME!

How many people can say that THE “Snookie” called them a biotch and told them to back up!? Okay, she has an attitude, so probably a lot… But, still… She had a magical way of making us all feel special. I’d be her biotch any day!

Keep in mind: The cameras were rolling! There’s a pretty good chance that we might end up on an episode of this seasons Jersey Shore! Looking back, I wish we would’ve done something to draw a little more attention, like fist pump or chant “GTL” (Refer to YouTube or Google, if needed), so we would’ve had a better chance of turning the heads of the camera man. Either way, you better believe I’ll be a faithful follower of this wretched series now! I have officially been baptized in the religion of Jersey Shore! I am a believer! GTL!

It’s hard to say whether this memorable event made anything else pale in comparison OR if it gave me that umph and passion I needed to recharge my worn-out batteries. Regardless, it is by far my favorite thing that has happened in Italy. Is that horrible of me to say? Here I am, with the Colosseum and Sistine Chapel under my belt and nothing has made me quite as emotional as witnessing the filming of the Florence season of Jersey Shore!

Phew… Do I really feel compelled to tell you anything about the last 24 hours other than that?? No, not really. Believe me, nothing compares!

BUT, I’ll prove I’m being studious on my study abroad by telling you about all the scholastic things we did today.

We were up before the sun to catch a train to Ravenna. Ravenna is a little city about 2.5 hours away and I was expecting BIG things for me to be awake so early. We stepped off the train and it looked like a ghost town. The only thing missing were tumbleweeds and saloon doors rattling in the whistling breeze. This place was desolate! After a few minutes, I realized it’s probably a lot like Springville… but after being caught up in the hustle and bustle of Rome and Florence the peace and quiet is more like an awkward silence.

We had the entire day to spend in Ravenna so we were able to take a slower pace and relax a little bit. We learned about a few different churches and some baptisteries. The first church we visited today was called the San Vitale Church and it is one of the most beautiful churches I’ve seen since we’ve been here… And that’s saying A LOT because we’ve seen a butt-load of churches! Every last inch was covered in mosaics of colored stone and gold foil. I could’ve gawked at it much longer if my neck wasn’t so kinked from staring at all the art and decoration above eye-level.

It amazes me how much time and money these people put into their churches. Especially when you compare them to our LDS churches at home. Ours are so simple and modest and allow the focus to be on the lessons and the spirit. I have no idea how I’d find time to listen when I was so busy drooling over every last ornate detail of the chapel!

(Am I allowed to end this on a spiritual note after rambling on and on about the trashiest TV show in America? Haha!)

We were given a two hour break to explore the town and grab some lunch. I bought lunch today for only my second time this entire trip! Mom, you’d be so proud of how frugal I’m being with my money! You’d think I spent half my childhood watching you coupon-clip or something! J I took out 160 Euros at the ATM when we first got here and I still have 110 left! I think I may take home the title of cheapest study abroad student ever! (I’ll be expecting a Chug in the fridge for that!) A majority of the people here have already spent over 2-300 Euros and I’m just barely pushing 50! I really limited myself the first 2 weeks so I would be able to take advantage of all the fun (expensive) opportunities later in the trip… like a weekend getaway to Cinque Terre (Google that, I’m serious! It’s beautiful!), and riding the gondolas in Venice. I think I’m driving everyone nuts with how anal I am about spending money. It’s getting to the point where I have to remind myself I’m in Italy living a once in a lifetime opportunity and sometimes it’s okay to spend money if it means memories. I need to find that happy medium between regretting spending too much (I’m far from that side of the spectrum) and regretting missing out on too much from letting myself spend enough.

ANYWAYS…

It’s been the longest day of my entire life. We were out and about for over 14 hours! I am so ready for bed… Mostly because that means when I wake up I get to eat CEREAL! I love this hotel for that reason and that reason alone. It’s not even good cereal… I’d throw a fit if it were in our pantry at home. But I’m desperate here and will take what I can get!

Guess what?

I LOVE YOU GUYS!

Guess what else?

I’ll see you in 2 WEEKS from TODAY! Yeeeeeah buddy!

Love from the Mediterranean,

Wit