I am sitting on my roof top terrace in shorts, a tank top and flip flops....the weather is finally warming and I love it! I hear the weather back home has been less than desirable, I am sorry to hear that...but so glad the weather here is getting better! :) I haven’t written in some time - time seems to slip through my fingers here. Last I wrote I was getting ready to go to Venice for the weekend, back in February. My roommate Kelly and I went for a weekend and had an absolute ball. I chose the weekend of the 20-22 because it was during their Carnivale which is a huge festival right before lent...it’s a lot like New Orleans Mardi Gras. Carnivale is known for it’s amazing masquerade balls and costumes. Many Venetians dress in costume and stand in the streets. The costumes vary greatly, there are tons of authentic period pieces with the white wigs and all and elaborate masks and head dresses. Some of the costumes were quit impressive, with headdresses so large they could barely hold their heads up. There was also a wide range of people dressed in what we might consider Halloween costumes, from devils to the cast of 90210. There were people as far as the eye could see. At times you could barely walk through the narrow streets the people were so thick. At first it was exciting, to be surrounded by so many people celebrating, then it just got old. I have experienced Carnivale in Venice and don’t think I will ever again. Kelly and I went out both nights and during the day we did the tourist thing, or attempted to. We went to the Basilica in San Marco, which took my breathe away for the second time. In the evening we tried to hit the hot spots and ended up meeting some Venetians that took us to some of their local haunts. It was a great time and one I will never forget...I plan on going back this summer for a longer stay to see a few of the museums and Burano, a small island next to Murano (we went to Murano this trip). The next weekend we were having a little get together at our flat. We had a planned a few weeks before to have a ‘vino e fermagio’ party and it was a hit. Everyone we invited was supposed to bring a bottle of wine and a cheese to share, we provided the breads, crackers and other small goodies. There were so many different kinds of cheeses and wine it was insane. We got to know a few more of our school mates, and some people we don’t even go to school with. People were dancing, drinking great wine and eating good cheese...what more could you ask for in Italia? We are already planning another get together...a kick off to spring break. Kelly’s friend is coming to visit for our Easter holiday so we thought it would be a good way to welcome her. School is going good, and to be honest flying by. Like I said before the weather is getting so nice and spring is upon us! I am starting to look for a bike, I think it will be a great means of travel this summer. I have seem them for as low as 15 euro...just no helmets...I am still looking. No one here wears helmets which I find strange as I have seen a few accidents. To my poker friends (Rachel, Nik, Taggy...) I have been playing poker here on Friday nights with some friends. We started a few weeks ago, we play Texas hold ‘em tournament style. I have done pretty good, last week I was the 3 person left....I just got stupid, or drunk, whichever way you want to look at it - really all the same to me. :) It’s been fun though, the variety of people has been crazy...let’s see if I can remember....One night we played and then had a dance party afterwards at this guys apartment, I looked around the room and realized I was the only American, like 15 different countries were represented, but anyone looking in would never have known. There was me, Jamaica, Chile, Australia, Norway, Sweden, Turkey, Romania, Greece, Slovakia, Lebannon, Italy, Denmark...I can’t remember the rest. I just think it’s so cool to be meeting people from all these different places, and we all get along and have a great time. Makes you wonder what we are missing in the rest of the world, why we can’t all just get along...we are all the same when it comes down to it. We all want to be loved and love - very simply. The apartment is starting to grate on our nerves. The water never seems to work...we take cold showers regularly, if we get a hot one it’s apleasent surprise. Oh and I almost forgot Kelly and I have a new roommate! A few days ago I was cleaning the kitchen and I moved our little fridge over to sweep and there was a lizard under it! IT quickly crawled into the corner and just sat there. Needless to say I was shocked. Lizards living here would not have been my first guess, but it seems there are swarms of them living near the river - where we live. It was at least 5 inches long....I tried to catch it and send it outside but it crawled up into the heater in the kitchen. We decided it’s a he, we named him, but if I tell you I might have to hurt you....so his name is our secret. If you come visit you might get to meet him, then we could tell you his name. :) I am starting to open the doors the right way. That’s a sign I am adjusting, at least I think so. I am also able to order just about anything in Italian, I might speak slowly, but I can do it. I can also ask you were you live, how you are, how old you are, and what you do...a few other things as well, slowly but surely I will become Italian(sort of)! In April I have two weeks off for Easter break. My friend Espen who is from Norway is going home and he invited me to go with him and I accepted. It may not be a really spring break, heading into the cold. But he promises to show me a good time, going to Oslo among things. We found tickets for super cheap, like 60 euro round trip...really cheap. There is an airline over here that sells tickets for insanely cheap, most of the time you aren’t even paying for the ticket, just taxes on the ticket...so like 20 euro to fly to Spain. I love it! I have applied for a few jobs while here. Two I am very excited about as a tour guide! I think that would be a kick this summer to hold my funny ‘follow me’ umbrella or something...telling people the history of Florence. So keep me in your thoughts that I get it, would make me so very happy! I am going to attach an assortment of pictures, some from our trip to Venice, a video from Venice among other things. Enjoy! I promise to get better about writing....I have been horrible! I hope you are well and I miss each and everyone of you, although I am not ready to come home! :) arrivederci i miei amici, finché scrivo ancora!
People everywhere......
A Sculpture on the island of Murano
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the sunset when we arrived in Venice....really was that color
Paulo
We wrote our names and other stuff on a wall in a bar near the Realto Bridge...
this what I got when I ordered a vodka sprite 
the Realto bridge 
San Marco Piazza
I apologize...none of the pictures are in order...when I uploaded them they got out of order. Also, what I wrote was NOT one large paragraph, again, when I added the pictures something happened, also not sure about the blue links...they aren't links but I can't seem to get rid of the blue...enjoy!
Love,
Katie
Love,
Katie
