tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-288938422009-10-16T16:38:43.660-10:00Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02415417784382643889noreply@blogger.comBlogger36125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28893842.post-23801512847142704752008-07-31T23:51:00.005-10:002008-08-01T00:37:57.264-10:00

I am not ready to leave, but I am ready to be back. If you can wrap your head around that, you will understand the contradiction of how I feel right now. I need to be ready to leave to take the Metro from M° Louise Michel to M° Châtelet Les Halles to take the RER B to Charles de Gaulle airport by 13h30. Most of my packing I finished last night, and after a lengthy research on how best to bring

Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02415417784382643889noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28893842.post-35262333887954987652008-07-31T09:27:00.010-10:002008-07-31T10:21:53.812-10:00

Normandy, from what I have seen, is a lush countryside en plein d'air, as they say, and Giverny even more so, only it is is a horticultural heaven hewn out of a sort of pastoral wilderness - if that even makes sense. I arrived in the town of Vernon by the twelve o'clock train from Paris which departed the Gare Saint Lazare from platform 19 at precisely four past. The difference between Italy and

Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02415417784382643889noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28893842.post-41493952161196481202008-07-19T22:41:00.007-10:002008-07-31T10:25:48.397-10:00

So I get to the station this morning all early like so I can reserve my ticket and be on my way to Ferrara before the day is half over (which is the usual style of travel in Italy, it seems) and the ticket line seems exceptionally long. This is because, as I find out when I try to buy my ticket, the trains are on strike. Now I am at an internet café across the street from the train station and I

Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02415417784382643889noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28893842.post-52277868050477490562008-07-15T06:20:00.004-10:002008-07-15T06:40:01.011-10:00

Well, it is about time! As promised, some photos...Climbing the Sassi Caveoso in Matera Our hostel was right next to the tower.Dave in the SassiMe in the hostel garden in Matera. Such a gorgeous garden.Pompeii baby!

Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02415417784382643889noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28893842.post-86292716075744829602008-07-12T04:17:00.006-10:002008-07-31T10:27:44.172-10:00

Ciao mei amici!I have conquered the Italian lands, peoples, and language. They are now mine. Or at least, more accurately, I have learned to speak bits of Italian (at least to communicate with my fellow archaeologists and the owner of the Gelateria in Tito), I have met some fabulous Italians (mainly Massimo B, Lia, Valentina, and Guiseppe), and I have seen more of Southern Italy than I had ever

Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02415417784382643889noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28893842.post-11725385401160499072008-06-21T22:25:00.003-10:002008-06-21T22:47:37.264-10:00

As advertised, today is my last day in Matera. We are still at the hostel, but our bus does not leave for Tito until this evening. The group has been very busy the past few days and I have not had the priviledge to update you.The story about the train to Ferrandina from Rome's Termini station: The train leaves at 7h19 (yes, that ungodly morning hour) and we have seven people to coordinate. Laura

Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02415417784382643889noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28893842.post-31934967047831920782008-06-18T21:32:00.005-10:002008-06-19T22:11:59.273-10:00

I have been in Matera since Monday now. I do not have long on the internet, but will try to update tomorrow. We only get to use the internet (albeit free) in the morning. The moustach-man at the hostel is quite controlling, or not so understanding, whichever.Update: Back to where I left off in Rome....After we were rained on beside the Colosseum, explored around the Forum Romanum, trying to find

Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02415417784382643889noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28893842.post-5142855412043436082008-06-13T07:32:00.008-10:002008-07-31T10:34:53.036-10:00

Firstly, I apologize for not having phoned anyone or updated recently, but it had been a bit wild.I arrived in Paris at 6 am and was not able to check into my hostel until before noon. I was able to leave my luggage at the hostel and wandered around the 19th arrondisement (near the Canal St. Martin, from the film Amelie), eating fresh pain au chocolate and local fraises (strawberries).In the

Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02415417784382643889noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28893842.post-51984081434784934492008-06-04T08:12:00.004-10:002008-06-04T08:45:45.840-10:00

You may be wondering just what I am planning to bring with me.  I won't get into all the messy details, but here's an idea of some of the things I can't leave without:In the purse: iPod: audio books, the very best indie rock, will upload photos to as I go.small digital camera, for portability .my notebook: very detailed maps and instructions about my travel plans, place to write a journal.a small

Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02415417784382643889noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28893842.post-61832574105459586442008-06-04T07:39:00.006-10:002008-06-04T08:04:04.185-10:00

Okay, I've been a bit busy today.  Supposedly, I am working on my thesis.  In reality, I am crafting the ultimate Paris vintage shopping list, compiled from the recommendations of my favourite blogs.See above the work of an afternoon of labour-intensive drawing and many evenings of copious planning and blog-reading (I knew those months of procrastination weren't wasted!).  I would like to thank

Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02415417784382643889noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28893842.post-84159249201102743992008-06-01T12:34:00.005-10:002008-06-04T08:10:48.122-10:00

Some of you have requested that I post an itinerary on the blog so that you can, *clears throat* er, follow my adventures in minute detail.June 9th, 2008: Depart Toronto (Pearson airport via Montreal Trudeau airport), 15h30June 10th, 2008: Arrive Paris (Charles De Gaulle airport), 6h10 (yes, 6 am).June 11 - 12th: ParisJune 12th, 2008: Depart Paris (Beauvais Tille airport), 9h15. Arrive Rome

Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02415417784382643889noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28893842.post-79013859746202687092008-05-29T07:03:00.008-10:002008-06-04T08:08:15.375-10:00

I'm leaving in just 12 days and I am SO disorganized; it's disgusting! Let me give you some examples:I haven't booked my Eurorail pass yet. While I was at Stauffer Library 'researching' for my thesis-type-thing, I was tempted to book it, but of course, since I just got back from Orlando, I have lots of charges on my visa because the stupid Americans don't accept debit (unless it says visa on it,

Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02415417784382643889noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28893842.post-54282941232249516582008-05-22T05:18:00.004-10:002008-05-22T05:37:01.210-10:00

I'm starting to think about soundtracks again, probably because I am about to travel again.  In just 18 days and 4 hours I will be on my way to Europe again; flying into Paris before I head to Rome and then to Matera for an Archaeological Dig.  Yes, that's right, an Archaeological Dig.  As many of you may remember, I am no archaeologist, though Indiana Jones may be one of my role models and I am

Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02415417784382643889noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28893842.post-13042247515945183382007-03-08T19:26:00.001-10:002008-05-22T05:14:30.259-10:00

Unlike my former life on the West Coast, March in Kingston entails snow and cold that stays through. I mean, yes, there were freak snow storms at UBC (like the snow that fell and melted the day of last year's CNERS SA Toga Party Beer Garden. I was so worried it would be cancelled, and that we'd loose $600 +. Too bad we lost that much anyway). This post is just an excuse to post this fabulous

Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02415417784382643889noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28893842.post-24567177335614499132007-02-25T16:19:00.001-10:002008-05-22T05:14:18.443-10:00

I think that most people assume that once they complete their last 'Mad Lib' in middle school (for some it's earlier, some it's later) and they finally understand the difference between an adverb and an adjective, or why plural nouns take plural verbs (unless the plural stands for a singular, or vice-versa), 'Mad Libs' stop being fun and they disappear.The Magic of 'Mad Libs', however, is never

Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02415417784382643889noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28893842.post-77928525253556354982007-02-14T05:19:00.001-10:002008-05-22T05:14:03.301-10:00

More updates, who could not love more updates? So, one of my friends on Facebook posted this really cool survey.Some people think that the iPod shuffle function has changed their lives and can read their minds: http://www.slate.com/id/2152197/ (alas, the original link to the article at the 'Guardian' is no longer working, but trust me, it's interesting). So I've picked up Kasim's survey. I

Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02415417784382643889noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28893842.post-2919012810781527192007-02-05T19:07:00.001-10:002008-05-22T05:13:45.952-10:00

Last weekend, Kingston was hit by the largest snow storm I have witnessed in the past few years. Every time we left the car and returned, we had to brush it off (and by we, I mean Jessica). When I walked over the Kyle's to watch Firefly with Karen, I was caught in a white-out. I just stood in the middle of the park and waited for the giant gusts to subside and so that I wouldn't get lost (hard

Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02415417784382643889noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28893842.post-75266911847457116332006-12-17T09:20:00.001-10:002008-05-22T05:13:32.818-10:00

So, I was in Toronto this weekend with my brother, Andrew, before flying home (which as yet is still scheduled for tomorrow. I got in on Friday, after getting a ride in to town from Jess and Zeyd (who are also both in Classics at Queen's). We had a bit of a crazy drive in, stopping for sushi, and the liquor store (where we had a free sample of Rose Champagne), and finally to Humber College.

Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02415417784382643889noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28893842.post-1163012936316186462006-11-08T08:53:00.001-10:002008-05-22T05:13:20.419-10:00

Propertius, the ultimate emo-boy poet:1.19Not now do I fear the gloomy under-realm, my Cynthia,nor delay the fate owed to my final funeral pyre;but that perchance my funeral be lacking in your love,this fear is more cruel than my own funeral procession.Cupid has so not clung lightly to my little eyesthat my dust may be empty, forgotten by love.This hero, Proesilaus, was not so forgetful ofhis

Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02415417784382643889noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28893842.post-53075609039885893752006-10-31T18:51:00.000-10:002007-03-08T19:12:21.143-10:00

I thought I would post a few pictures from Halloween 2006. Grad. students (and some significant others) got together in the JDUC 3rd floor lounge and partied hard, watching Rocky Horror Picture Show (I think it's the 5th or 6th year I have watched it in a row, but the first time I haven't watched it in live production in a while). We also drank boxes and boxes of wine. Or should I say

Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02415417784382643889noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28893842.post-1162754088155263092006-10-18T14:08:00.000-10:002007-02-23T14:20:59.413-10:00

SVULPICIA MODERNE ISulpicia is the only Roman poet that we know of, and her poems only survive because they were preserved Tibullus. In fact, up until recently, people thought that her poems were written instead by Tibullus. Like Ovid, Propertius and Catullus, her poems address an elegaic lover (Ovid = Clodia, Propertius ="Singular" Cynthia, Catullus = Lesbia) Cerinithus, although

Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02415417784382643889noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28893842.post-1158705100642043682006-09-19T12:14:00.000-10:002007-02-23T14:20:50.312-10:00

For those of you who still actually follow this blog, and those of you who may not, I thought I would post a quick update. I've been back from Europe for just shy of one month now. I still haven't really even tackled editing and polishing my photos (to make them shiny). What I have done was to post a few of my favourites (thus far) on a different online website, since I've had such a

Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02415417784382643889noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28893842.post-20298011367865714742006-08-29T17:16:00.000-10:002007-02-23T14:20:40.901-10:00

I went hiking, back in August, with my friend Zerah in Waterton (Alberta). Here are some of the photos.

Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02415417784382643889noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28893842.post-1155662262871711812006-08-15T07:10:00.000-10:002007-02-25T06:43:04.536-10:00

Photo of the Vittorio Emanuele II Monument in Rome. Many people believe it's a huge eyesore, but you can see cool things from in (like large groups of tourists in orange hats. Yes, indeed).Since I am safely back in Canada, and finally settled at home, I thought, to finish up this blog, I would upload photos from the last leg of my journey... 1. Fountain of Trevi, Rome (near sunset); 2.

Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02415417784382643889noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28893842.post-1155150543878292092006-08-09T08:57:00.000-10:002007-02-23T14:20:08.172-10:00

As it seems, all roads lead to Rome, and so here I am. Since I have last updated, I have visited Genoa, the Cinque Terra, and Firenze (Florence, for those of you outside of Rome). My efforts to get to Genoa were very mangled, and since the train to Genoa from Paris was cancelled, I took many very indirect trains to get there. First I took a TVG (Train Vitesse Géant? I don't know) from Paris

Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02415417784382643889noreply@blogger.com