With mid-terms coming to an end, (HOORAY!) and spring break fast approaching (HIP-HIP HOORAY!) we know that many of you Umbra students will leave your text books behind for the week and head out of Italy on an adventure across Europe.
As you've probably already had the opportunity to experience this semester, Italy's central European location makes jetting off to popular destinations like Paris and Prague pretty easy. From Perugia, you'll take a two-hour bus or train ride to Rome where you'll hop on a low-cost airline which will take you to your chosen destination.
Depending on where you're going, you'll probably experience even more means of transportation once you arrive. If you're going to Paris, you'll hop on the metro. If you're in London, you'll "mind the gap" and get on the tube. If you're going to be in Amsterdam, you'll see that bicycles are a popular choice for getting around. And if you go to Greece or Croatia, you've probably got a few ferries to catch.
With all the different means of transportation you'll be taking this week, we have some homework for you. But before you scoff and close this window, you might want to continue reading; this is homework that could potentially pay.
The popular we
bsite, glimpse.org (which is in part sponsored by National Geographic), features stories and experiences from students (like yourself) abroad. Glimpse is sponsoring a photo contest entitled "Getting Places."
They're asking for your most creative photos portraying the many modes of transportation from around the world. The winner receives a $250 travel voucher and the runners up are featured on glimpse.org.
So as you pack your digital cameras in your carry-ons, take a moment to ponder upon your journey (not just your destination) and how you'll be getting there (and back).
Assignment is as follows:
1. Check out the website2. See the submission guidelines
3. Take a look at your competition
4. Snap some of your own shots and submit.
Wherever this break may take you, from Croatia or the Canary Islands, happy trails and safe travel to you!
With Martedì Grasso (Fat Tuesday) yesterday, Carnevale came to an end. Children and adults alike celebrated during the day and night by wearing costumes, masks, and painting their faces. Last weekend, some fortunate Umbra students even found themselves at the celebration’s epicenter, Venice, masquerading about in good tradition. Carnival typically involves a public celebration or parade combining some elements of a circus, masque and public street party. People often dress up during the festival, which mark an overturning of daily life. Traditionally in Christianity, carnival marked the last op
portunity to celebrate and to use up special foods not allowed during Lent.
The term Carnevale is in fact derived from older Italian, meaning to “remove meat” literally “raising the flesh”, and thus raising meat from the diet for the season of Lent. The Lenten period of the Church calendar, being the six weeks directly before Easter, was marked by fasting and other pious or penitential practices. Traditionally during Lent, no parties or other celebrations were held, and people refrained from eating rich foods, such as meat, dairy, fats and sugar. While it forms an integral part of the Christian calendar, particularly in Catholic regions, some carnival traditions may date back to pre-Christian times. The ancient Roman festivals of Saturnalia and Bacchanalia may possibly have been absorbed into the Italian Carnival.
Thursday night, after a long day of Italian mid-terms, seventeen Umbra Students (as well as two staff members, Paul Schiller and Zach Nowak) headed to the soothing waters of the hot springs in San Casciano. The event was just what the doctor ordered after the stress of studying and bitter cold weather (not to mention snow) in Perugia, the relaxing hours in the hot thermals was the reward for the student’s hard work and definitely the week’s high point. The hot springs, nestled in a valley below the medieval town of San Casciano, are free and open to the public. The hot water bubbles up and is channeled into two large pools where bathers can sit back, relax, and see all the sky’s stars.
Umbra students are constantly on the move. Visiting cities and sites all over Italy and adventuring through Eur
ope as well. With Spring Break just around the corner, students have already began to get their feet wet by traveling to some popular destinations. Below is an excerpt from Umbra students Erin Costello and Chris Smith about their time spent in London.
If you have at all thought about going to London, we highly recommend it.
We know this is something that's always said, but there are so many interesting sights in London and there's something for everyone to do. We saw Big Ben, Parliament, The London Eye, Platform 9 3/4 (oh yes), the changing of the guards at Buckingham Palace, the Rosetta stone at the British Museum, the Tower Bridge, Kensington Gardens, Notting Hill, and other things that would make this sentence even harder to get through. Oh, we should mention that all of this was for free.
We also ran into a parade complete with children on stilts and double-decker buses filled with elderly ladies from the Red Hat Society. In Notting Hill we came across the most delicious hot chocolate we've ever had. One night we were even able to ride the swings in a carnival which we stumbled upon in Covent Garden.
London is a fantastic city to visit. It was amazing to get to see so many things that are so well known throughout the world.
Text and photos contributed by Erin Costello and Chris Smith of Northeastern University.
With mid-terms coming to an end, (HOORAY!) and spring break fast approaching (HIP-HIP HOORAY!) we know that many of you Umbra students will leave your text books behind for the week and head out of Italy on an adventure across Europe.
bsite, glimpse.org (which is in part sponsored by National Geographic), features stories and experiences from students (like yourself) abroad. Glimpse is sponsoring a photo contest entitled "Getting Places."
