Split, Croatia... You're More My Style

We arrived in Split, Croatia a few weeks ago. I'm also currently on break from school for a couple of weeks. The university school schedule (in Italy), being different in Europe than from that in the US, is such that midterms happen at the end of the semester, almost on top of finals. It's like your warm up for finals. You get two weeks off after midterms, where they assign you a mass amount of homework (so, that's not really a break, is it?). Then you return to school for three weeks and have finals. Boom, you're done. I am done already. I can't wait to finish the semester. I'll split my time between Milan and Split for the rest of the semester, which is only a few weeks from ending.

My view as I zip across the Adriatic by plane. You won't find many direct flights from Milan to Split so you have to catch commuter flights, with multiple stops between Milan and further destinations. Typically, the first stop the plane makes is Split, a 45 minute to one hour jaunt across the sea. But if you don't know which flights to book, or who to ask to get on a commuter flight, you'll be forking over hefty fees to luxury airlines like Lufthansa to "fly direct." Alternately, you can book a flight out of another major city outside Milan because they'll have direct flights to Split on the cheap. (L. Galo)

So, how did I do in a university system totally unlike my own from back home? I supposed I did okay. I have three B's and one C right now. I still have a chance to pull out of the semester with a couple of A's. The thing is, getting an A is a tall order here... and I'm typically an A student. I walked out of two midterms where I thought I'd aced the exams. But, nope! Not so fast, American. I received B's on those exams. So, while the cultural richness of Europe was fantastic, my GPA suffered for it. It's off to summer school for me back home in the States, where I'll have to make up for those spring grades with a couple of A's this summer.

But, I digress. I was talking about Split, Croatia!

The excitement of seeing Split for the first time - from the ferry! (L. Galo)

I'm in the "old" part of Split, a sleepy little beach area where everything is walking distance. The grocery store is five minutes away, as is the basketball area, the barber shop, and the cafe. If I want to go to the beach, it's roughly a ten to fifteen minute walk away. If I want to go to the tourist area, it's a 45 minute bus ride from my present location. But I didn't come here to hang out in tourists spots or visit museums. I came here to decompress from three months of hanging out in tourists spots and visiting museums... I came here to do nothing and what better place to do nothing I cannot imagine.

There is nightlife in Split but I'm not looking for that. My idea of nightlife is watching Netflix with a glass of wine or baking some cookies. Sure, that's boring but after months of go-go-go, it's a welcome relief. I want nothing else but to write away all morning, take a walk on the beach in the afternoon, and watch some Netflix before I nod off to sleep.

There's nothing more relaxing than walking alongside nature. (L. Galo)

We came to Split as a family with the purpose of writing books, as well. So far, my daughters are half way through their books. My youngest, age eleven, is writing a picture book. She story boarded it first and then began creating her digital art for the book on the computer. My eldest daughter is writing a novel, a whopping 200 pager and she's just about half way done with the first draft. Good on her! My son has elected to hand write his book. He is on chapter four at the time of my writing this blog. So far, so good. That's why the sleepy little beach village is the perfect place to write a book. There are no distractions, no major attractions, no money suction locations... just a beautiful (if not slightly rocky) beach and a fantastic view of a fairly mild sea. The weather here is warming up daily. Most of the time it's what I call sweater weather but the young children in the neighborhood run around in short sleeves. Of course, they're not cold. They're not from Texas!

While I had hoped to write my own novel here in Split, alas I see I'll be spending more time than I expected on school assignments. That's okay. When our respite ends in Split, we are off to enjoy the sands of Barcelona. I hope to write the rest of the story there.

- Li Galo (mom to three fabulous and fantastic homeschoolers)


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Flying in the Time of Terrorists

I love Europe for the ease of hopping between countries, between cultures, between languages and that means flying but flying also brings with it a concern about terrorists, terrorism, and security measures. So, when I fly, I don't linger outside the airport or inside the entrance. It's straight to the gate for me, which means through security screening as quickly as possible. Past the guards and security, I feel a sense of security but is it a false sense of security? I wonder if it is.

Keep it moving in the airport.
At the Boston Airport (L. Galo)

I fly light. The last thing I want to do is hang out in arrivals when I get off the plane. That means I have no check in luggage. I have one small carry-on backpack with a few outfits, deodorant, and perfume. My laptop is in there and that's about it. It comes in at about 15 lbs, under the maximum for most airlines, who don't weigh my small purse hanging on me when I hand them the backpack for tagging (though technically they are supposed to). The deceiving size of my small purse holds heavier items: phone and charger, make up and documents, toothbrush and toothpaste. Most of the weight in my purse is from liquids, which most overseas airlines don't require I bag up... but some do. So, take care to check which airline you fly. You may need to contain liquids to a clear bag, if required.

Over Paris (S. Galo)

My last flight was on Alitalia Airlines. I forgot to check if I needed to bag liquids (see, even seasoned travelers forget these things). So, when I arrived at security, I had liquids in my purse and liquids in my backpack. So, I was a bit in a pinch... claim my liquids, stop the immense line behind me and try to ask someone for a proper sized bag or just proceed? I decided to proceed but, trust me friends, that is not how you want to be traveling through the security checkpoint! I very easily could have had a much bigger problem on my hands. My guess is, through their high tech imaging, they saw that it was just make-up and just waved me on as a foolish American. Lucky me!

Flying in the time of terrorists makes one a bit on edge. But everyone has the conviction of carrying on, not letting the terrorists stop you from maintaining the life you've created for yourself. That would allow them to win. They want to create fear. They want to hurt us economically. They would win by creating fear and hurt us economically if people stopped flying, if people stopped going out to the the places in the world they are meant to be visiting. So, nerves aside, one goes to the airport and gets on the plane. Along the way, the nerves go away, the edge disappears, a calmness takes over.

Keep it simple and don't let fear be your friend. 
Me on the way to Split, Croatia. (L. Galo)

How can we, as travelers, be more vigilant? People say we are in this together but they don't give us any instructions on how to work as a team against possible threats to our safety. So, here are a few ideas. Look for suspicious activity and report it to authorities. What do criminals do? Do they spend time looking at passports or paperwork or managing wayward children, sleep on the seats, or read the newspaper? Or do they watch authorities instead? Wouldn't that seem just a little strange to you if you saw someone watching the authorities? We can notice if someone leaves a bag, walks away and doesn't come back and report it to authorities. (Why would anyone in their right mind do that anyway? Clearly, the person who does this is not in their right mind! We have been told at every turn to never, ever leave our bags alone in the airport - ever!)

I say, do travel - but be safe and watchful. There will always be dangers in the world but we cannot allow dangers to paralyze us with fear - to stop us from having a full and rewarding life - and we certainly can never allow the terrorists to win by allow them to induce fear that pervades our lives and the choices we make in living it.


- Li Galo (mom to three fabulous and fantastic homeschoolers)


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Ex-Pat Life in Italy Ends for This Study Abroad Student

I came to this country, Italy, as a study abroad student. As an ex-pat living abroad, I knew that I would need to make friends fast. So, even before I landed, I joined like-minded groups on meetup and considered joining the gym or volunteering to make friends. Cultural assimilation anywhere can be fast or slow. It just comes down to your attitude towards the process. I quickly made three friends with other English ex-pats, like myself. I started classes at my university immediately. So, I made another three new American friends that I enjoyed spending time with.  My children, two of whom are young adults and one who is an eleven-year old, all home schooled - which is legal in Italy.

Making friends in Italy wasn't hard. It just wasn't with Italians.
(L. Galo)

I didn't come with preconceived ideas or very high hopes. I came with a mission: to study business in Milan and make business contacts. I did accomplish that. I met people in the industries I'm interested in: marketing and finance. I even made a few friends in businesses I don't know that I that I need connections in but I enjoyed the company of those people. They were from Bulgaria, Sweden and one was from Italy... only one Italian friend. This Italian friend was different from the others - mainly because he had previously lived in the US and could respect American boundaries. That means we could have a friendship based on mutual respect, despite cultural differences. He was still pushy mind you, but he knew that he should back off on his pushiness with me, out of respect for my culture.

Let me expand on the concept of having an Italian friend - from the American perspective. From the American viewpoint, Italians are nosey, pushy and invasive in both their mannerisms and their questions. This is cultural - not personal. They all do it... I have not seen or met one Italian who was the exception. Complete strangers will put their hands all over you. No one is trying to attack you personally but they act this way, because (as it has been explained to me by them) they want to get to know you better and this is how they go about getting to know you better. Ahem...

People pushing to get on trains is normal here.

(Photo credit link)

...Personally, I hate this. I don't mind being friendly and I am... but to a point. I don't need to explain to you why, after the age of 25, I am back in school as an older student. I don't need to explain to you why, after raising two children to adulthood, I trust them with my youngest child while I am in class and no, I don't feel guilty that I am going to school while my 11 year old is at home. No, it's not unfair that her older siblings care for her while I study. I don't need to justify why I home school... for them to get a better education that they otherwise would not have... duh?!

I don't have to explain myself in America when it comes to these things and I damn-well am not going to do it in Italy either. So, when Italians start crossing the line that way with me, I just say I have an appointment and I have to go. That's the end of that. That Italians find what we do in the US strange is normal. We are culturally different. So, of course, we will find strange some of the things they do (like constantly touching you and pushing you - yes, actual pushing without apology or questioning you on what you consider normal lifestyle choices). So, of course, I find it normal that they would think some of our ways strange, too (as they think it's very odd if an American is to eat and walk at the same time). BUT! That they question me on it and ask me to defend my position is not normal. That's just rude. I've travelled in enough countries to know that most people know when to keep their trap shut, even if they don't totally agree with your ways. I certainly am not stopping to question them on why the heck they are physically pushing everyone around.

Italians, by and large, are not smilers. They find it strange that Americans smile so much. (Photo credit)

I've lived many places in the world, some abroad but most throughout the US. I can say, while Italy is beautiful and I absolutely love the art and quality of food (some of the other reasons I was attracted to being here), I never fell in love with her people. When I lived in the Philippines, I can honestly say I fell in love with the people of the countryside of the Philippines... Their cultural values really wrap you up in an armful of sincere care. But I don't get that interfering, nosey vibe in Italy. Sad, but true, I am looking forward to leaving.

I've seen the professors at my study abroad program question the American students on why they haven't made Italian friends. We are too polite culturally to say to the professors' faces that their people are just too rude to consider being good friends with - even if we are polite enough to be friendly to them. So, the American students spend time with other Americans or ex-pats from similar cultures to ours - like Great Britain. We spend at least half of our weekends and free time in other countries. I've seen enough of Italy. I'll be spending my spring break in Croatia. Everyone I asked is leaving, too.. some to Barcelona, some to Germany or even Morocco. But no one I know is interested in lying on the beaches of Italy.

Would I recommend study abroad for another non-traditional student? Absolutely! Would I recommend they study in Italy? That, my friend, is a big no. Do visit Italy. There is so much to offer historically, artistically, from a cuisine viewpoint. As a tourist, you will find many English speakers and be isolated from the truth that is discovered in residency here... But live here as an American ex-pat? Uh, not so much.

- Li Galo (mom to three fabulous and fantastic homeschoolers)

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Colosseum, Rome

Top Of Colosseum
Picture Taken By Cristiana Galo

Visiting the Colosseum was one of the best things I did in Rome. It was also a once in a lifetime experience for me. It is the largest amphitheater ever built. It sat at an average of 65,000 people during shows. The main attractions were the gladiator fights, animal hunts and dramas on Classical mythology.  It was the modern theater of that time and place of entertainment.

 

Ruins Outside Of Colosseum
Picture Taken By Cristiana Galo

It was built in 80 AD and was open for shows until it closed for other reasons such as housing. It was also used for Christian shrines and quarry until the fall of ancient Rome. Earthquakes and weathering over time damaged it, but it is still a symbol of Imperial Rome. Current restorations are being made with brick. It is amazing that it lasted for centuries and is still intact.

Ruins Of Arch Of Constantine

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St. Peter's Basilica

My visit to Papal Basilica of St. Peter, better known as St. Peter's Basilica, was truly amazing. It's one of the largest churches in the world, and was designed by Michelangelo, Donato Bramante, Carlo Maderno, and Gian Lorenzo Bernini. Located in the Vatican, St. Peter's Basilica is considered one of the most holy places by some, and many devoted priests and nuns will visit to pray. I would definitely recommend visiting.

Courtyard of St. Peter's Basilica, S. Galo

When I visited St. Peter's Basilica, I noticed that there was a bell tower, where you could take stairs and go up to the top. The total number of stairs overall was over 100! On the inside of the basilica, there are countless works of art, and prayer places. You can see where masses are put on, and even go below the church. Underneath the church it's almost like a holy graveyard, as there are coffins for past Popes. There is a special, more decorated coffin area for the first Pope, St. Peter. Of course, I wasn't allowed to take photos, as this was a sacred place. -S

Art from inside the Basilica, Li Galo

Walking around, S Galo

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** European Union laws require me to give European Union visitors information about cookies used on your blog. In many cases, these laws also require me to obtain consent. Continued reading of this blog means you give your consent. Google's use of certain Blogger and Google cookies, including use of Google Analytics and AdSense cookies are mandatory by Italian law. **