va bene.

This is what adventures by myself entail-
For some reason I was all about reflection and grandmothers...nostalgia?
Then I met some Yemenis and they tattooed me.

Last night I was browsing the internet and decided to search for the photographers my teacher recommended reading up on; I just love human subjects - the photos always come out so intriguing (especially in black and white)! Some of these I guarantee you've seen before.

gypsy.

My photo teacher told us, "If you want to be a good photographer, it helps to be a real hardass opportunist."



















Is it just me, or does the man in the photo fifth from the bottom look vaguely similar to the man in the portrait?

swiss miss.

Lugano is only an hour from Milano you know.
Note to self: Switzerland is the most expensive country. Why didn't this process when I realized they still use francs?

parigi vs milano

Mi dispiace! It has been a week and a half since my visit to Paris, and I still have not gotten around to post about it until now. I am a student too, you know, not just a world class traveler! Classes have started and all is well - I am continuing with my Italian language course and taking on International Financial Markets (so mundane, think old Italian school of thought), an Art History course on Leonardo da Vinci (such a fascinating character, and yes, there is more to him than what Dan Brown says), and Photography (my teacher is an hippie from Berkley).

The photos in the post below are all taken by me in Paris, sans the first of course. I am still kicking myself for not charging my camera battery before my visit to Sacre Coeur. The view from the basilica was astounding. I took a handful on my blackberry only to realize I have no internet, and alas, no way of uploading them.

Allora, Paris was marvelous, naturally, even though there were a few bumps in the road I had to get over. I couldn't help but compare the city to Milan and here are a few things I learned/noticed:

un) Making eye contact with anyone, especially on the metro will cause serious, irreversible damage.

deux) Exhibiting grand emotion, talking in a louder speaking voice, or directing any kind of attention at yourself is strictly prohibited. Discretion is important. We're not in America anymore, Toto.

trois) Black is the new....black?

quatre) Its fairly acceptable to indulge in a baguette, brie, and wine for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

cinq) Stripes. Is it cliche if everyone's doing it?

six) New York City is apparently independent from America and the only acceptable place to be from other than Paris.

sept) Contrary to popular opinion about how unorganized Italians are, the French ought to pick up some tips when it comes to blocking the metro doors, standing in the way of traffic, etc.

Paris is a splendid place filled with interesting people, beautiful fashion, breathtaking views - make no mistake, it is significantly more pleasant to look at than Milan. Naturally, the culture of the people is different. Simply, and I mean no harm, the people in Italy seem happier, even, more open. Its rare to see overtly curious, loudmouthed, gesture making, pasta eating people in Paris. Reserved, calm, and composed like the French is perfectly wonderful; it is merely a lot more difficult to get acclimated to, especially as an American.

Isn't life wonderful when you can jump on a plane and be in another country in under 90 minutes? Semplicemente favoloso!