Roma Part I.

Dear Friends & Family:

  So I have returned to Denmark after a long winter holiday, full of adventures.  I have started school this week and am quite excited to use my brain & get back to a routine.  

  My brother Russell and I had a wonderful time in Italy.  I have so many pictures and stories I am going to post them in sections :)

Hope you enjoy!

We had a 15 ft. door and a tiiiny cut out to enter into.  Russell had to enter sideways each time ha.  Every day we would say "baby door!"

How European-- a baday in our bathroom.

The Colosseum, built in AD 72 for deadly gladiatorial combats and wild animal fights.  These were staged free of charge by the emperor and wealthy citizens for public viewing.

The Colosseum has 80 arched entrances allowing easy access to 55,000 spectators.  

Arch of Constantine.

The Palatine was a very desirable place to live, becoming home to some of the city's most famous inhabitants.  

Private sports stadium inside the Palatine.

The Forum was the centre of political, commercial, and judicial life in ancient Rome.  The largest buildings were the basilicas, where legal cases were heard.  

The three columns of this temple was dedicated in 484 BC in honor of the mythical twins and patrons of horsemanship, Castor and Pollux.  

This triumphal arch was erected in AD 81 by the Emperor Domitian in honor of the victories of his brother Titus.  

The Victor Emmanuel Monument, erected in honor of Victor Emmanuel II of Savoy, the first king of a unified Italy.

Rzeczpospolita Polska!

I had the wonderful opportunity to spend a week in Krakow, Poland with my Polish friend Karolina and her family.  I had such an amazing time.  It was surreal to experience a culture, so completely, by staying with a native family.  The family didn't speak a word of english, so translating from polish to english became Karolina's full time job!  Here is a look at my journey in Polska:

 Main market square (biggest one in Europe):

Incredible cheeses.

Karolina, eating goat cheese-- grilled on a barbeque with strawberry jam.  It was delicious.  Taking grilled cheese to a much literal level :)

Indoor part of the market.

These are traditional outfits children wear to church.

Huge barrel where we would get hot, spiced wine.

Grzadiec Galicyiski (hot wine.)

There's a myth about this particular church-- the reason that the two towers are different sizes is because of a competition between two brothers.  The two were building the church together, when one brother became extremely jealous of the other.  The jealous brother killed the other, and built his tower larger and more elaborate than the other.

Inside the church.

Various parts of the market square.

This man was making iron horse shoes and carving names into them.  They bring individuals protection and luck.  I got one for a particular Pole in my life :)

Various Polish food:

Sausages, and more sausages.

Pig leg.  

This is Karolina's grandparent's home.  We went over to their home for lunch twice.  Her grandparent's were in their 70's and very traditional Pole's.  This was one of my favorite experiences!

Homemade dumplings with ricotta and spinach.

This Polish dish is called 'Pigeons'.  It is cabbage wrapped in rice.  To top it off, you put homemade tomato soup over it.

Latte, made with love.

Breaded salmon.

Incredible dessert-- caramelized apples and gelato.

Latte with a side of Bailey's.

Around Krakow:

Krakow's pride and joy-- Wawel Castle:

These are the royal chambers of the castle.  Unfortunately, we couldn't take pictures inside.  Everything is from the medieval ages and preserved.

Laughter :)

Weee!

Stairs up to the bell tower.

Enormous bell!

Sending all of my love!