Indiana University Athletics
Pollom in France - June 12
7/21/2005 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
June 12, 2005
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - IU volleyball standout Katie Pollom is studying abroad in France this semester and has graciously agreed to chronicle her time in Europe throughout the semester for IUHOOSIERS.com. This is the 19th and final installment of her diary series.
Well, I am officially finished with school, as I had my last final exam this morning. It feels great to finally be done! I have already packed up to come home tomorrow, and I am enjoying my final day in Aix doing all of my favorite things one last time and enjoying the city. I have also been taking quite a few pictures today.
This past week, I did not have time to write while I was on vacation in Italy. Traveling alone was never boring because I met some very interesting people (mainly tourists or backpackers from the states, Australia, or England) along the way. On my way to Florence, I made a quick stop in Pisa to see the famous leaning tower, but I was only in Pisa for an hour. Then I made my way to Florence (Firenze), which I loved. Florence was the birthplace of the Italian Renaissance, and I was able to see Michaelangelo's David as well as lots of other Renaissance art. In Florence, I was able to meet up with my teammate Rachel (or Rock as we all know her!) who is studying in Florence for the summer. It was great to see her and meet her friends in Italy.
From Florence, I made my way to Pompeii where I met up with my cousin Martha and her friend K.C. We visited the old city of Pompeii that was preserved when Mt. Vesuvius erupted in 79AD. It was very cool to see the daily life of the Romans from nearly 2000 years ago.
After Pompeii, we made our way to the Amalfi coast, which is on the southwestern coast of Italy. Amalfi and the surrounding cities are situated on cliffs right on the coast, and they are all beautiful. One day we took a bus ride up one of the mountains filled with vineyards and lemon groves and hiked 45 minutes back down to Atrani. We enjoyed homemade pasta and wonderful pizza in the south of Italy. The pizza crust is thicker there than in the north, and my favorite pizza ended up being one that was topped with French fries!
I spent Saturday in Siena, a city fairly close to Florence in Tuscany, before heading back to France. All in all, it was a nice vacation, and I had some excellent food and gelato (Italian ice cream). I also picked up some Italian phrases and hand gestures (since the Italians talk with their hands so much!) along the way.
Well, tomorrow I head home...back to Indiana...and I am very excited to be heading back. It has been a wonderful semester, and I have learned so much, but I'm ready to come home for a little while. So the next time I write everyone I will be back in the US!
Have a great week everyone
Love, Katie
