No words were needed. The reaction said it all. Our shirt and five members of the 2010-2011 Ashland JVC Community were ready... Europe, here we come!!!
Our first stop was Madrid... We bunked up in a hostel near the Plaza Mayor. I resisted the temptation to nap for more than twenty minutes on that first day, although it wasn't easy. It was my first serious jet-lag experience and I WAS WIPED!!!
I tried my hardest to learn a bit of the language. Thankfully our Spanish and Cuban companion, Tony, came along for the trip. He taught me some of the common phrases and aided the group on the five day journey around the city. The happenings included several strolls through the Parque del Retiro, a brutal bullfight at the Plaza de Toros de Las Ventas, a tour of the Real Madrid stadium, a Flamenco show in downtown Madrid and a day trip to Toledo. One late-night wine party led to an early-morning game of strip poker. We were supposed to make it to the Prado the following morning, but a few of us needed to sleep into the PM hours. What happens in Madrid, stays in Madrid (unless you post the story on a blog!).
On the last day, after a boat ride in the Estanque del Retiro,
I made my last trip to the Plaza Mayor with my community mate, Emily.
Thankfully we brought the camera... She snapped a picture of our shirt and I next to the lamppost. Adios Madrid. Here we come, Barcelona!!!
The short trip to Barcelona was slightly longer for our group as we took an all-night, local train to the "City of Counts." While we saved some money by not booking a hostel that evening, the muggy conditions made for a tough sleep. Solution? A nap on the beach. It wouldn't be our last over the next three days. We also made it to Park Güell for a look at Gaudi's wild and crazy work, the Picasso Museum and the Sagrada Familia, my favorite landmark from our Eurotrip. Rome was amazing (which I'll get to), but nothing wowed me more than this church. From its breathtaking presence in the Barcelona skyline to the detailed art inside and outside the building, the Sagrada Familia is a sight to see. I had to buy tiny replicas to bring home to the family!
All in all, Barcelona treated us well. We met some cool guys and gals at the hostel,
danced our shoes off at a nightclub and enjoyed some seafood and soccer with the locals.
The Arc de Triomf wasn't too far from all the fun.
Here I am before a trip to the beach one afternoon...
After our Spanish adventures concluded, some members of the crew headed back to the States to get back to work... The rest of us trekked east to Rome. On the day we arrived, Spain played Italy in the Euro Cup Final. It was INSANE!!! Flags, horns, firecrackers, facepaint... AND SO MANY PEOPLE. Thousands of people gathered at Circus Maximus, an old chariot racing stadium that hosts big events throughout the year. We joined them to watch the match on massive televisions. Italy got destroyed, but it was a fun night.
Our hotel was close to the Santa Maria Maggiore, one of the many extravagant basilicas in the city. We spent our first few days visiting other churches and the mainstream landmarks. One of my favorite parts of the trip was our trip to the tomb of St. Labre. Our school in Montana is named after Benedict Joseph Labre, a French saint canonized in the 19th century. It was cool to hear and see more of his story after working for an organization founded in his honor. We even saw his death bed! Slightly creepy...
Our hotel was close to the Santa Maria Maggiore, one of the many extravagant basilicas in the city. We spent our first few days visiting other churches and the mainstream landmarks. One of my favorite parts of the trip was our trip to the tomb of St. Labre. Our school in Montana is named after Benedict Joseph Labre, a French saint canonized in the 19th century. It was cool to hear and see more of his story after working for an organization founded in his honor. We even saw his death bed! Slightly creepy...
I loved St. Peter's and the Vatican Museum... We tried to spot the Pope, but he was on his summer getaway. Oh well, next time! At least we had some great pasta, wine and conversation!
Here I am in front of the Coliseum... My bag made the picture too!!!
All in all, it was a great trip. A fun reunion with the JVC community and a good way to start the summer. Favorite city? Slight edge to Barcelona. Small disclaimer: I was forced to actually WEAR the shirt in Europe due to packing limitations, but don't worry, it made it back in good form and it had successful trips through the washer and dryer upon return.
Below is almost the whole group in Madrid. Tony is taking the picture...
Tony, Emily, I, AND THE SHIRT with St. Peter's in the background
In other news, it's been great being back at home. I've certainly had to re-adjust to life again in the Foley household, but it's been a blessing to reconnect with the parents, Katie and the two pups after a few years away. I'm temporarily working full-time with my dad at his printing firm until I'm ready to make the next move (grad school perhaps?). My sister, Katie, is a Sales Assistant with Time and is community to NYC daily. Mollie, the other sis, is livin' it up as a senior in the Mods. I've crashed a few of her parties already. Their last football game was yesterday :-( I remember our last like it was yesterday... You know what's crazy, though? We're like halfway to our first reunion... Even if we aren't lucky enough to have a 'Family Reunion' before then, five-year is just around the corner!!!
Wherever each one of you is tonight, I hope you are doing well. I know we don't talk every day, but you all frequently cross my mind. As we become busier with life and continue to broaden our networks, I begin to appreciate this blog even more. Our familial bond is ever-present and "The Famlihood of the Traveling Shirt" is living, technological proof!
Clare, the shirt will be shipped out to you this week.. Then, it will have completed the first round through the four of us.. How exciting?!?!?! I propose that we mix up the order. So after Clare has had some quality time with the garment, she sends it to whomever she wants to start the second round... Thoughts????
Love you guys. Very grateful for each one of you during this Thanksgiving season! God Bless!
--- Roley Poley Foley
