Milano

After a night filled with possibly a little too much alcohol than was necessary, we made a spontaneous decision to visit Milano on Wednesday in order to escape Bergamo and Citta Alta. It was a bright and early start and we were on the train before nine o'clock in the morning...which was possibly the most disgusting feeling in the world! Before long we were in the city of Milano which looks so much different in the daylight so instantly we got ourselves lost. We kept claiming it was an adventure but eventually, we found ourselves outside of the famous Teatro alla Scala which set our bearings once more.

I am desperate to go and see the ballet or an opera there, I think it will be slightly different from the theatre back home i.e. missing the horrible orange subtitles. Tickets range from 10 to 115 euros but from what I have heard it is completely worth the price. If you are going sometime soon then here is an excellent article about the dress codes.

We quickly spun ourselves around and headed for the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II to marvel at the architecture and beauty of the colonnade and to pretend like we could afford Prada shoes and Louis Vuitton bags...I mean who wouldn't!

Of course you can not take a visit to Milano without visiting the beautiful Duomo which is just breathtaking. The detail on the building is incredible and you can see each carving is completely unique. It is free to go inside which is equally as beautiful but, I don't really like taking pictures inside churches so you will have to find out for yourself what it is like.

Afterwards we went shopping and raided Zara where I bough the same top in two different colours. They were totally worth it! It was a long and eventful day so we hopped back on the train to enjoy a traditional Bergamascan meal with our fellow students, before heading off to bed.

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Sunday in the City

After living here a week I have discovered so much about the city, Italians and their way of life. For example shops shut at 1:30 and open again at 3:30 (this is when you discover you desperately need milk or some other commodity to stay alive in those two hours), pedestrians always wait for the green light and drivers go when they feel like it and you are only as good as you look (in Bergamo everyone wears their finest. Always.). This last one has made me more aware of what I chose to wear out of my severely empty wardrobe in the morning and I mostly have neat nails and hair now. Oh the difference a week makes!

So after spending a week in and out of the Citta Alta as a student, I felt it was time to become a fully fledged tourist for the day. Camera in hand and sensible shoes on, I grabbed a few of my new friends and we hopped on the bus to the top of the hill. This description however, does not explain the crowds of people on the streets, the shops bustling with shoppers and restaurants and cafes filled with families having lunch and drinks together. I thought Sunday was the day of rest and I was expecting to just do a little window shopping in some deserted streets. But, it seemed a full day of socialising is much preferred by the modern day Italians in the city.

We walked the streets and took some pictures, posing and such until out stomachs rumbled and we made our way to a pizzeria. It took a while to hose as we were so hungry and the food sounded so good but eventually decisions were made. Polenta and braised beef was my choice, as polenta is one of the main foods to eat here. Seriously, it is everywhere! It was almost like stew and dumplings which made me miss home. The rain began to pour as we sat chatting and so our trip was cut short. We wound through the streets taking a picture here and there ducking into a few shops and even a church (there is something about Italian churches that's so beautiful) eventually arriving at the funicular to ride back down to the lower city.

At ten to six it was still so busy so, Ellie and I wondered down the main shopping street and bought practically everything in Zara and Max Mara...in our heads. Oh student loan, how I wish there was more of you! But we have already made plans for a shopping trip. As I made my way home, I came upon a festa in the street next to mine and was lucky enough to see a group of Irish Dancers...which was ultimately bizzare but also a lovely experience. We eventually found out that it was something like Bergamo Day yesterday hence all the people. Let's see what it is like next week! Pin It

Bergamo ti amo!

Just a quick one today! I arrived in Bergamo on Monday, physically and emotionally exhausted and since then I haven't stopped.

I have had meetings, enrolment, friend making and classes as well as exploring this beautiful city. I wasn't so sure at first but now I am head over heels in love! Mountains and Piazze are my back drop for walking to class in the morning and it makes those 7 am starts totally worth it!

I have only just gained access to the internet so for now these post will be infrequent but tomorrow I plan to find the library and abuse it's wifi! However, for now I will leave you with some photos of my new home city in the hopes that you will love her too!

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Cocktails and Cake

'A birthday is nature's way of telling us to eat more cake.' ~ Anonymous~

What a wise person that was! It has come to the time in my life when the parade of 21st birthdays has begun. First up Zoe. 

My beautiful, stylish friend spent her actual birthday in London as she is one of those swanky city types but, we were determined to celebrate in style and that we did! The evening was shrouded in secrets in order not to scare the poor girl into not showing up. 

We started with dinner and cocktails in The Vauxhall Quay, a pizzeria on the edge of the harbour looking across to Plymouth Barbican. We sat outside under the tarpaulin browsing the cocktail menu, praying that the rain would hold off for the evening (it was not to be!). A Pretty Woman, Cosmopolitan, Espresso Martini, Raspberry Druplets and Scilla Wreck later, we were ready to have the long awaited catch up. 

And ohhh what a pretty woman she was.

The birthday girl with her Wreck.

We barely came up for air until our food arrived...which silenced us all. Having not eaten since half past eleven that morning it was safe to say I was about to eat my arm, luckily it didn't come to that!! Instead...

a mass of fresh stone baked pizza stuffed full of delicious spicy chorizo, fresh chillies, torn mozzarella, peppery rocket and drizzled in sticky, sweet balsamic vinegar. Big Ben was a beast and I am sorry to say I was shamefully defeated. We all were! Seriously, the portions are huge so make sure you are hungry...or share? 

A Rum Manhattan washed it all down as we sat and listened to the musical stylings of Joseph Biddle and Elani Evangelou. It was almost as though we were having our own private show especially when 'Happy Birthday' was played in three different styles for Zoe! 

Dinner and a view

The Vauxhall Quay was perfect for five friends having a girly night but it is also lovely for a relaxed drink. If you are ever in Plymouth on a Tuesday check out The Acoustic Academy starting at 8pm where you will find some absolutely beautiful voices and raw talent. Being a Sunday it wasn't particularly busy, in fact we were the largest group there, but in sunny weather it can fill up pretty quickly so it may be wise to book.

After a cheeky slice of cake made by the fair hands of Katherine we headed off to the second surprise of the evening.

I started a small love affair with my hat.

We lead the way into the Sunday night kareoke at Walkabout...something you must understand is that Zoe has been bugging us to go to one of these for the past three years so hence, we granted her her wish! After a bit of Dutch courage we managed to work our way through the songbook performing the classics by Wheatus and One Direction. But, of course the birthday girl stole the show singing Eliza Doolittle's 'Pack Up' earning herself a phone number and a £25 bar tab. An excellent end to a special night! 

The first two photos are not mine they can be found on The VQ facebook page.

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Rule Britannia

As some of you know, I am fleeing the country for the year with the hope that I will have some stories to tell when I am old and frail AND to obviously improve all three of my languages! However, as I feel September 17th drawing nearer I find myself craving more of the English things in life.

Afternoon tea and scones with strawberry jam and thick Devonshire clotted cream

Stomping through the countryside in wellies

(Post stomp)

The seaside

British manners

Britain's flair for creativity

Cider

These are just a few of the things I will miss whilst I am in Italy and Spain but hopefully, I will be able to introduce a few of them to my lovely new flatmates and show them the ways of the British. After all, last time I met an Italian she left with 3 pots of Devon's finest clotted cream! So whilst I am here,

I will be whipping up a roast dinner with all the trimmings and thinking of home...although looking at it, it might not be as easy as I first imagined!!!

I do not own these photos they are all from google.  Pin It

London Dreaming

This weekend has been spent gallivanting around our glorious capital city with my beautiful Performing Arts girls! This has been in the planning for some weeks now and it was safe to say that the excitement was overflowing by the time I stepped of the train at Paddington. I hopped over to Covent Garden (the designated meeting place) and after a huge group hug and A LOT of girly squeals...so un-chic...we headed off for lunch at Belushi's , a cocktail bar and cafe which can be found all over Europe. However, with posters and adverts mashed together all over the walls and the neon signs above the bar it has a most unique feel to it. The menu is much like your average American diner but with a few twists on the traditional and the cocktail menu is extensive. Just tucked away off the side of Covent Garden it was perfect for re-fuelling and a much needed catch up before gallivanting around for the rest of the day!

We criss-crossed are way through the shops with only one mission in mind: cake! And boy, did we find some! Candy Cakes was just hiden away in a little alcove underneath all the shops looking all innocent...go through the door and BOOM! It felt like I had walked into Willy Wonka's factory and I never wanted to leave!!! The rage of cakes, ice creams and shakes was incredible but the taste was sooooo much better!

 

Peanut Butter Cupcake complete with glitter  *

I truly recommend hunting this shop out, you will not be disappointed with it even if you are the fussiest person in the world!

We headed back to our dearest friend Megan's house with the plan of getting ready for a huge night out however, it was not to be. We gorged ourselves on flatbread and olives, recreated 'Santa Fe' on the tube like any good Performing Arts girl would and strolled around the great city dreaming of someday calling it home. Which has to happen. We high-fived on it at Baker Street.

Any chance to pose! L to R: Me, Hannah, Anna,  Rosie

Day two of our grand adventure began rather reluctantly but a cheeky Subway soon sorted that out. We jumped on the tube and head straight to Spitalfield Market, we amble around for an hour or so discovering different trinkets and clothes for sale and lost ourselves in amongst the stalls. I was unsuccessful in my quest for a Campbell's Soup tshirt but I will continue to search!  However, one thing had the ability to focus all 6 of us...yes, it was food. Yes, it was cake. BUT oh my days what a cake it was!!! I know I said this about the other ones but, the sounds that were released from our mouths as we devoured the beauties were the only proof needed that these were the best cupcakes in London. Possibly the world.

Flavourtown Bakery Carrot Cake Cupcake

We moved down Brick Lane towards Absolute Vintage, a huge warehouse filled to the rafters with items from the 1920s onwards. I picked myself up a little yellow '60s number and a headscarf, I will be rocking them in Italy for sure. If you haven't been there...GO! I promise you will find something fascinating to prance around in for weeks. We also visited Rough Trade to flick through rows upon rows of records and mess around in the photobooth, a much needed momento for the wall of my new bedroom.

Soon our bellies cried to be filled and we headed off to the new branch of Pho just outside of Liverpool Street Station. It is a Vietnamese restaurant serving all kinds of authentic dishes; soups that come with a side of herbs for you to create your own, noodles with the crispiest spring rolls in town and curries (which I have yet to try). I love Pho, it is great for a quick lunch or a relaxing dinner but I will leave that choice up to you! If you are looking for something different then hunt it down and you will not be disappointed. I may do an actual review on it one day when I have learnt to take pictures of food so watch this space!

We dashed to the All Star Lanes Bowling Alley, a Fifties style bar/restaurant/bowling alley for cocktails in jam jars, although I went for the cocktail glass instead. I'm a sucker for a strawberry cocktail and a dash of basil and I'm yours!

If you drink from a jam jar at any other time you would be frowned at. *

Unfortunately, we had to leave our beautiful London town and go our separate ways to less exciting lands/ more foreign lands. I was on the verge of tears saying goodbye to my lovely ladies as, I won't be seeing them until Easter but I didn't want to ruin the amazing weekend. If you want to read more about our Great London Adventure then my friend Hannah's blog is here.

So ladies, I will meet you in Paris.

The pictures with * on them are not mine but Hannah's and Anna's.  Pin It

A little bit naughty...

I started out wanting to share one of my favourite family puddings with you and it quickly evolved into 3 super easy, super quick desserts which are perfect to whip up in times of need! (Trust me, you will need these) Chocolate orange trifle, Grown-up Eton Mess and Blueberry Cheesecake.

First up the trifle...
You'll need:
400g custard
200g milk chocolate
200g double cream
biscuits (enough to cover the base of your dish, they can be any type cookies work best though)
300ml orange juice (enough to soak the biscuits)

Start by pouring some orange juice into a bowl and soaking the biscuits on both sides (not so it is a soggy mess!). Place the biscuits into the bottom of a bowl/dish/champagne flute. Melt the chocolate and add it to half the custard, mix together well and pour over the orange biscuits. Add the double cream to the rest of the custard, it should be a white mixture when it is whisked together. Pour it over the chocolate layer and grate some chocolate on top. Stick it in the fridge and let it set a while.

Grown-up Eton Mess
You'll need:
4 Meringue nests (you could make your own but, if you are short on time it might be easier)
300g Strawberries
100g Chocolate Double Cream (as much as you want on it!)
Caramel Vodka (not too much, but depends on you really!)

Break up the meringue nests and pop into glasses. Slice up the strawberries and layer them on top. Add some more meringue and strawberries in layers until you have filled the glass. Chop up a few chunks of chocolate and sprinkle on top. Just before serving add the double cream and the caramel vodka. If you can't find any vodka use amaretto instead! If you are making this for the younger generation it works just as well with caramel sauce over the top.

And finally the Blueberry Cheesecake
You'll need:
200g Cream cheese
150g Double cream
50g Icing sugar
Vanilla Essence (Add to taste)
70g Blueberries Flapjack squares (the kind you get in the plastic boxes at the supermarket)

Place the flapjacks in the bottom of a dish/tin/champagne glass. Whip together the double cream, icing sugar and cream cheese, add the vanilla essence and blueberries (you might want to crush them up a bit first). Pour the mixture over the flapjacks and then pop it in the fridge for later.

See super quick and easy so if you and your friends decide to have a spontaneous BBQ this week then you can whip up one of these in no time at all, leaving you more time to spend in the sun! Enjoy! Pin It