Posts Tagged ‘Lugano’

Vienna and Budapest 10 Day Break

Posted: February 21, 2013 in Study abroad, Virginia Tech
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Part Two
Schonbrunn Palace

Schonbrunn Palace

We left Praha Wednesday afternoon and arrived in Vienna that evening.  9 out of the 10 days the weather was cloudy, dreary, and snowy, which got annoying, but I was backpacking Europe, so I didn’t give two Francs.  The top left picture is of the Schonbrunn Palace. It’s beautiful on the inside, but unfortunately you’re not allowed to take pictures. I recommend visiting Schonbrunn during the spring or summer because it has the oldest zoo in the world, massive gardens, fountains, and a shrub Labyrinth.

Staatsoper Vienna Opera House

Staatsoper Vienna Opera House

My favorite moment of Vienna was visiting the Staatsoper Vienna Opera House.  The actors performed a modern day version of Cinderella, which made it easy to follow because it was in German.  They were superb. Being back in the theatre was calming and made me appreciate the career I have set out for myself.  I don’t want to be just good,I want to be the greatest. Yeah, that sounds pompous, but in this business you have to work your ass off and want it more than everyone else. That’s the mentality you have to have with any business not just acting.

One of my new short term goals it to apply to the Actors Studio MFA program at Pace University. You have to audition in order to get accepted and since I will be abroad, I won’t be able to apply till the fall of 2014, but that will give me time to save up money in order to pay for tuition if I’m admitted.  I digress, now lets talk Budapest.

Budapest Baths

The 3-hour train ride to Budapest was the shortest of the 10 day. The highlight of Budapest was going to the bathhouses. They are heated from thermal energy in the ground. At first I was grossed out because of the locker rooms and the fat old hairy men walking around in skivvies, but we were in a large enough group with beautiful women that it didn’t matter. Shortly after, my selective perception kicked in and I hardly noticed them.  I’m never going back and I sure as hell wouldn’t take my girlfriend there, but it’s definitely worth the trip if you’re in Budapest. Also you have to walk around the city at night. Make sure you make it before 00:30 because they will turn lights off on you.

Hogwarts Budapest

Hogwarts Budapest

Chain Bridge

Chain Bridge

 

 

 

 

 

 

I just got back from playing a pick up game of basketball over at Franklin College in Switzerland and I have an Italian final tomorrow that I need to study for. I also have to pack for my weekend trip to Paris, France. Such a rough life I know, I wish I could write more, but I have business to take care of and if I put this off till next week it won’t get done.  Check back next week for my post on Paris.

Outside Schonbrunn's Palace

Outside Schonbrunn’s Palace

“Photo Credit Reed Stiefvater”

Unleashing The Tiger

Posted: February 6, 2013 in Study abroad, Virginia Tech
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Carnivale Costume

I didn’t understand the concept of getting lost in Venice until last weekend. I literally took one wrong turn and became completely disoriented. The place is a labyrinth filled with hundreds of bridges, alleyways, and streets to navigate through. That being said, if you ever go to Venice, and if you don’t enjoy being lost, then it might be wise to invest in a map. Personally, I loved this portion of the weekend because I randomly walked into marvelous artisan shops as well as a modern art gallery.

The one downside of the trip was the weather on Saturday. It was pouring rain and winds were gushing around 20 MPH. You would not believe the number of broken umbrellas that littered the streets. I cracked up laughing on the main street because I observed owner’s umbrellas getting split to pieces. Then to top it off, I watched them try and use the scraps in an attempt to keep their heads dry. It was a sight to see. Maybe it was amusing for me because I was soaked head to toe and had accepted my fate of getting drenched.

If it weren’t for the rain we wouldn’t have met this super cool Aussie mate named Emily. Her living plans fell through and had nowhere to stay because everywhere was booked up. She told us her story and it would have been inhumane to not let her crash with us. She had been traveling for seven months and this was her last weekend before she headed back to Aussieland. It surprised me how well put together this chick was especially for only being nineteen years old. We all went out for dinner, had a couple drinks, and called it a night.

In Front of The Basilica

Sunday, God blessed us with fantastic weather. We woke up relatively early, checked out of our hostel, and headed for San Marco Square to watch the opening Ceremony for Carnivale. With masks on our face, bottles of wine in our hands, we strolled around the city for the final hours of our Venetian experience. We went into Doges Palace, the Basilica, and then paid for a gondola ride, which was totally worth it.

I wasn’t terribly upset to leave Venice. It’s a gorgeous city, but I could never see myself living there. The streets flood, it smells, and its smaller than I had anticipated. If I ever go back to Venice, I’m going to unleash my inner tiger. I made a tiger cape in my costume lab class last semester and I forgot to bring it. That won’t happen next time.

I leave this Friday to visit Berlin, Prague, Vienna, and Budapest over a course of ten days. I’m learning a few key phrases in Czech and Hungarian so I can make some friends with the locals. Check back next week for an update and remember to unleash the tiger!

France Will Make Her Dance

Posted: January 28, 2013 in Motiviation, Study abroad
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With only two hours left till our departure, I lit my cigar, and proceeded to sit down by a nearby stone bench that overlooked the Mediterranean Sea. This was priceless and was the perfect way to cherish my final moments in Nice. I was able to relax and reflect on a weekend that I know I will never forget.

The Group Photo Credit Reed Stiefvater

The Group
Photo Credit Reed Stiefvater

So what exactly happened in France this past weekend?

Well, I toured the French Riviera with four other friends from our Lugano group. The change of pace from a relatively large twelve person group, to five was refreshing.  It was more personable and we were able to kick it, and really enjoy each other’s company. The train ride was almost six hours and at one point I almost lost my composure because we could not find our reserved seats. The five of us were tiptoeing through a crowded narrow hallway, knocking into people, and receiving some nasty looks from the pedestrians.  It wasn’t pleasant, but eventually, we found our seats.  That was by far the worst experience of the trip.

The first night, we all went out to a bar called Waynes, which is marketed towards young people visiting or living in Nice. They had a live band playing 90s American music such as, Blink 182 and Nirvana. I remember singing along to, “All The Small Things” and various other classic hits like, “Stacey’s Mom”.  The bar closed at two, but I went to another bar with some local women that I was dancing with at Waynes. The French woman thought my accent was entertaining and also got a kick out of hearing me butcher the French language.  All in all, it was a incredible night in many ways.

Monaco
Photo Credit Reed Stiefvater

After a healthy four hours of sleep, we woke up, ate breakfast, and took a train to Monaco.  I was overwhelmed by the amount of wealth in the country.  Frankly, it was kind of nauseating, but maybe that was just my hangover talking.  We walked around the city for almost five hours. We even went into the world-renowned Monte Carlo Casino. I even placed a very small bet on slots just so I could say that I have gambled at the Monte Carlo.

Collin Medford Photo Credit Reed Stiefvater

Collin Medford
Photo Credit Reed Stiefvater

As I puffed down the final drags of my cigar, I glared out into ocean and was at peace with everything.  I know what I need to do in order to be successful. I have the confidence to challenge the goals I have set out for my life.  These past three years I have self-reflected and now know so much more than I ever did about myself.  I’m blessed and can’t thank my family, friends, and colleagues enough for supporting my aspirations.  I still have many challenges to overcome and I know some of them won’t be easy, but all I can do is take it one day at a time.

Were going to Venice next weekend for Carnivale. Arrivederci Ciao!

“Ich Liebe Deustchland” I Love Germany

Posted: January 22, 2013 in Study abroad
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Ich liebe Deutschland, or in English, I love Germany. I visited Munich, Germany this past weekend and fell in love with the country. All together, 11 of us traveled by train, which took roughly 8 hours. I swear it’s not as bad as it sounds. That seats were fairly comfortable and I was able converse and get to know the other students on the trip. Once we arrived to our hostel, we quickly changed and got ready to go out for a night out on the town.

Munich City Hall

Munich City Hall
Photo Credit Reed Stiefvater

After clubbing till four in the morning, we woke around nine for a free tour. I have learned that when you’re abroad your able to make yourself rally. I am maybe, and I mean maybe, averaging around six hours asleep a night. You know what they say though, you can sleep when you are dead. Anyway, we followed our tour guide through city hall, Frauenkirche, Mozart’s house, Hofbrauhaus, the Royal Residenz, Munich Opera House, and Theatine Church and square. After the tour, we went to Hofbrauhaus had lunch and drank some beer. They had authentic German music playing and some of the locals were getting obliterated because of their football team, Bayern Munchen, had a football game. Since I have never had a favorite football team, I decided to jump on the Bayern Munchen bandwagon. I bought a scarf and I’m German so why not?

I have learned that I thoroughly enjoy trying to speak to foreigners while visiting other countries. Even though most Europeans speak a little bit of English, it’s still nice to be able to converse with them in their language, especially the women. They seem to enjoy it and they are happy to translate some sayings into my moleskin, which I carry with me everywhere.

German translations

German translations

After going out on Saturday night, we took a train to Dachau, which was the first of the Nazi concentration camps in Germany. I couldn’t rap my head around the fact that we were actually at a concentration camp. I didn’t know what, or how to feel. Truthfully, I didn’t feel anything until we left and were back on the train. It’s hard to write about it, but I definitely recommend to take a trip there if your in the area.

 

Some of us are escaping the cold and traveling to Nice this weekend, which is located in the southern part of France. Till then, au revoir!

Living Lugano

Posted: January 16, 2013 in Study abroad
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Its been six days since we arrived in Lugano and there is no way I can describe everything that I have been through in this post. Class starts at 9:30AM and it’s about a 25 minute walk. The stroll through the city in the morning is one of my favorite parts of the day because it wakes me up and I have time to myself to think. It’s a funny sight for the locals to see because we all walk together and we look like a gang. Right now, we are taking consumer behavior and elementary Italian. The predominant form of communication here is Italian and the language barrier is something I have never experienced before. Honestly, I can’t think of a better way to end my college career. I’m leaving for Munich on Friday.  Make sure you check back sometime next week for an update. Here is a photo from the top of San Salvatore. Enjoy!

San Salvatore

Looking the Part

Posted: January 12, 2013 in Study abroad
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The Start to My European Expedition

Posted: January 12, 2013 in Study abroad
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Ok, so my computer hard drive decided to crash on me the night before my flight to Zurich, so I’m writing this from my IPhone which is difficult to say the least. Anyway, It’s going for me hard to explain how everything is going, especially since I’m still working on getting my computer fixed, but I will do my best.

Me and 47 other Virginia Tech students are studying marketing in the beautiful city of Lugano, Switzerland. We are still getting to know one another, but everyone seems to slowly learning each others names and what not. As a guy it’s nice that there’s is only 7 other dudes on the trip, talk about a superb ratio. Still having culture shock and I still don’t believe I’m here.

Since I don’t have a computer yet, my next couple posts will be pictures. Thanks for reading and I will have post some photos by the end of the day!