Comment.

I just wanted to make a quick comment on my traveling experiences in the summer in relation to summer terror attacks. It is really quite weird, and a little freaky.

First trip to Europe: About a week before we were on our way to London there were the terrorist bombings in the subway.

Second trip to Europe: About a week after I left London there was a plot to blow up 10 U.S. bound airplanes.

Third trip to Europe (Now): London received a terror threat yesterday and now Glasgow airport in Scotland has suffered a terror attack consequentially putting the UK on critical alert.

What is up!!? I don't get it. However much I do not want to fall into exactly what the leaders of these gorilla groups want us to fall into, I cannot help but feel somewhat terrorized. I mean, in a way they are succeeding, right? If this hinders our daily lives to the point where fear is invoked while walking down a street in London or taking a flight back to the U.S. they have very much accomplished their sickly, disgusting goal.

Social comment of the day: With this said, I can't help but believe that this could have all been avoided the day the Bush administration was elected. Has terror increased since the invasion of Iraq? Yes. Has fear been a main staple of life? I would have to argue yes. This is the point, in contrast with my previous point, where I am critical of my great country. While I love it, there are things wrong with it and things that need to be changed. Open and public discourse is one of my contributions, hopefully.

Ok. I will stop now before I get angry and worked up. I just wanted to point out this interesting coincidence of my Europe travels and terrorist attacks. Weird.

Let me know what you think. I will get back to my regular travel blog and off of my soap box for once. Sorry. :)

Love you all.

Alex

Bonjourno!

It is finally the weekend here in Florence! Luckily we do not have classes for two days so we are able to travel a little and explore some more of beautiful Italy!

Today (Saturday) I think I am just going to relax around the city and really explore some more of historic Florence. Tomorrow, however, I am taking a day trip with some friends to the little town of Assisi just south-east of Florence. We are meeting one of our professors there.

Other than that, I have just been studying and enjoying my time in Italy. It truly is a great country--incredibly different than the United States and any other European country that I have visisted for that matter. Things are slower here, which actually tends to bother me a little. There is a common stereotype of the United States (which incidentally turns out to be true) that we are always on the move. Going from that extreme enviornment to this extreme environment it really takes some adjusting.

Traveling to other countries, above all else, really puts ones priority's in place. However much I may get down on the U.S. for political mishaps, social downfalls, or anything else I could not imagine living permanently in any other country. Overall I think the United States has something other countries don't have---a general sense of optimism and openness. I think it was Bill Clinton who said something along the lines of, ''There is nothing wrong with American that cannot be cured by what is right with America." I agree, and find that I get quite defensive when I am abroad and the topic of American apathy, etc. is mentioned. While I am not pleased with my government, I still stand by the institution and stand by the fact that I have the right to actively participate in the change of my government. I am proud to be an American.

Ok. I got a little philosophical on y'all right there. Sorry about that. Let me know what you think.

I love you all, and hope that all is well.

Brief history lesson: The Ponti Vecchio, Florence's oldest bridge is currently a hotbed for jewelry and gold sales. In the past, it was used as a secret escape passage for the Medici family to get out of Florence in times of battle. Interesting story, though. When Hitler invaded Florence during WWII, he ordered that the majority of the bridges connecting the two sides of Florence be completely destroyed. However, he made a special order to his troops and told them NOT to destroy the Ponti Vecchio because of its immense amount of history. Hitler wanted to preserve it! I find it interesting that such a hate-filled man could have a minute amount of compassion for a historically important bridge.

Some more pictures!

Hello everyone!

Today was a great day. We went and saw Michelangelo's David. I have fortunately been able to see it once before, but it is still breath-taking everytime. It really is one of my favorite pieces.

Other than that, things are pretty status-quo. I might take a trip to Assisi this weekend (Think St. Francis of Assisi--- the saint who talked to animals).

I hope all is well with everyone.

I hear there are problems leaving comments. No worries. If you really want to you can e-mail me at LaCasseA@seattleu.edu and let me know how things are going.

Love you.

Pictures: We went to the Piazza Michelangelo for a dinner picnic overlooking the city.

Also, we went to Sante Croce church where many famous renaissance thinkers and artists are buried. The one pictured above is Niccolo Machievelli who wrote The Prince and is attributed to the creation of the modern governmental state. Even today a lot of his ideals have stuck aroundi n governmental organization. Galilleo is also buried at this church.

Firenze Update!

Bonjourno!

Hello everyone! Let me know how y'all are doing. I would be lying if I said I didn't miss everyone. How is life? What is new? Views on the war? You know, whatever floats your boat. :)

We have been studying and discussing the Italian Renaissance in length, and it is really incredible to actually experience first hand a lot of the famous architectural structures created in the 14, 15, 1600's.

The creepy statue pictured above is by Donatello and is of Mary Magdelane. It is an interesting piece that can be viewed in several different ways. From first glance it is a wood carving of immense tragedy, sadness, and depression. However, when one puts it in perspective and aligns it with her story it would seem as if while that may have been her lowest point, she recognizes that she has been forgiven over and over again. There is almost a sense of humility and respect. The knowledge and wisdom she has is so immense. We have really been analyzing a lot pieces--it is a lot of fun. This particular piece is one of my favorites.

Things at the convent are great. I wake up every morning to the group of nuns chanting and singing in the chapel below my room. They are very nice and speak French so I have been able to communicate with them.

Other pictures: A very dramatic depiction of the crucification of Jesus. This was an early Renaissance piece that does not shy away from the gory aspect of his death. We can tell it is early Renaissance primarily because of the way Jesus' body has been depicted. While it is very much in human form, the realism attached with it is not so obvious. It is not incredibly human-like as where in the Renaissance we would see a very detailed, humanistic depiction of an individual. The David by Michelangelo is often a symbol of this Renaissance humanism and orientation towards the realistic more desirable body. Oh man! I could go on and on! I love it.

A really good friend of mine, Tess. We climbed up the Duom (Florence's biggest, and the 5th largest church in the world).

Other pictures from the top of the dome.

Ok. That is it for now. I love you all.

Ciao.

Alex

PS: I am sure I have spelt several words incorrectly. For example, Renaissance. I never know how to spell it. I could be right, but I am probably not. Oh well.

Florence: Day 2

Bonjourno!

Today was our first class day in Florence. We had to meet at 8:30 in the morning and then went out into the city for a day of sightseeing. We went to a small city that overlooked Florence. It dates back to the ancient times and is in complete ruins. It is interesting to imagine what had stood there thousands of years ago.

Here are some pictures. Since it is my first full day in Florence I do not have that many but will in no time.

Love you.

Alex

More Nice and a little bit of Florence!

Hello everyone!

I arrived in Florence today around 7 a.m. I took an overnight train from Nice. Lets just say it was not the most comfortable 7 hours of my life. However, on the upside, we met 4 very nice fellow travelers who sat in our car with us. Two of them were from Alberta, Canada and the other two were from Melborne, Australia (originally from Zimbabwe). We laughed, talked, and had a good time. It made the horrendous trip a little less stressful.

Here are some more pictures of Nice as well as a few pictures of where I am staying in Florence. It is a Jesuit Convent and is incredible. My room overlooks a quiet and peaceful courtyard.

Ok. I love you all.

Nice!

Hello everyone!

Deyadra and I arrived in Nice yesterday! It is an amazing place--beaches, narrow streets, street performers and a lot of sun. When we stepped off the train from Grenoble there was such an intense blast of heat but it was worth it once we made our way down to the gorgeous beach front. The water is incredibly really blue and warm (Med. sea) and I spent the entire day soaking up the sun.

Here are a few pictures.

Let me know how you all are doing.

Love you.

Alex

More Grenoble Pictures!

Here are some more pictures of the beautiful Grenoble!

Peace

Paris, Grenoble

Hello everyone:

I am in Grenoble, France right now. This is the city I will be studying in next year. It is gorgeous here!

Here are some pictures from Paris and Grenoble. Deyadra and I leave tomorrow for Nice where we will hit the beaches!

These are some pictures from jolly ole' England. We stayed in a youth hostel that turned out to be incredibly nice. There is a picture of my bunkbed. I shared the room with 3 other guys who were very nice.

Unfortunately, we were only able to stay in London for one night because we had to get down to Paris. We had to take a train from London to a small town called Dover (white cliffs of Dover) where we then hopped on a boat and crossed the English channel! We arrived in a French city named Calais and were on our way to Paris!

There was a theatre in London that was playing 'Grease.' I thought it was interesting how much American culture--anywhere in Europe--has permeated their own culture. It is actually quite amazing to see how much influence American' have over the rest of the world when it comes to materialistic goods. I always smile every time I walk past a McDonald's or a Starbucks.

Well, that is it for now. I'll post some pictures of Paris as soon as possible.

Love you all!!

Alex

Welcome!

Hello everyone!

This summer I will be participating in a summer study abroad course with Seattle University. Most of my time will be spent in Florence and Rome looking into the impacts of Renaissance Theology and Philosophy. Hopefully I'll become well-versed on everything Catholic as well as the individuals who have helped shape the religious institution.

I left roughly a week early in order to get some time in France. I arrived in London on the 15th, and stayed one night in a hostel. This one, in contrast to others I have seen, is incredibly nice! No creepers here. I leave for France today via a ferry that will cross the English channel.

This year I am traveling with a good friend from school named Deyadra. It is great to share the experience with someone else. This is her first time abroad, so it is really great to see her reactions to everything. It reminds me of my first time stepping onto European soil--the feeling is something of complete awe and bewilderment.

We will be staying at a friends house in France. His name is Thomas Gaultier and he was a foreign exchange student this past year at SU. He is a great guy, and is a great friend. He personally offered up his house. Although, I haven't heard from him in a couple of days so I hope all systems are go. If not, no worries.

Thus starts my blog! The computer I am at right now is not equipped for picture downloading. I will get some on here as soon as possible.

Ok. I love you all!!


Alex