Happy Sabbath

MONTECATINI, ITALY - Well I'm tired.

Today, since it was Sabbath, my Tuscany tour group decided to take it easy and spend more time in nature versus touring a lot. So we woke up, bussed out to the middle of nowhere (in the Chianti wine region) and walked through the countryside. While it was very isolated (and very warm), it was definately a very cool experience. We had "church" and ate lunch outside a little chapel built only 1,000 years ago. The whole place overlooked the Tuscan countryside, so it was a very welcomed rest from the walk up to that point.

From there, we walked over to a little renovated castle that was now a Chianti vineyard and wine cellar. Seeing where and how the wine was made and stored really reinforced to me how important this industry is to this place. BUT, when I had the chance to try this famous drink out, I almost spit up! My white wine tasted like bug spray and was not nearly as good as the red, which tasted like bug spray and grape juice. I don't think I'll ever have a problem with being a real wino!

After walking around here, we ran over to Vinci (think da Vinci...) and checked out Leonardo's hometown. Between his old house and the village itself was a pretty long countryside walk, but it was gorgeous nonetheless. Alongside the road, there'd often times be roses as wide as a human face and cypress trees stretching to the sky. It's another part of the trip I'll always remember.

After the town of Vinci, we headed back to Montecatini and peacefully closed out the Sabbath. All in all, it was a tiring but wonderful day. Can't wait to head back out tommorow.

-cw

Live, from Montecatini, it's Chris Webb...

MONTECATINI, ITALY - Wow, do I love this country or what?

It's almost midnight here in Tuscany, and as I sit in front of the computer screen at the internet cafe, I wonder to myself how in God's green earth am I sitting here.

I ate pizza in Pisa. I went pooty in the Pitti (Palace). I rode a bike on top of the walls of Lucca. I ate gelato on the Ponte Vecchio.

Wow.

I am enjoying this place so much, and learning a whole lot, too. My big three lessons of the day:

1. Italian women don't like loose fitting clothing.
2. Either a working knowledge of the Italian language OR a translator will drastically enhance your food ordering experience.
3. Italy is way better with two contacts in than with one.

Enough of that. Today, I went to the cities of Pisa and Lucca with Jonathan Hilliard and Austin Purkeypile. The rest of our Union College group ran back to Florence for the day to finish our the sights, so us three, having seen almost everything Firenzia had to offer, headed off first to go check out this big tower that apparently is leaning.

Note to self: anyone who talks crap on the Leaning Tower is stupid. Just plain stupid. It was beautiful there! We got into the main square where there's a baptistry, a church, and the tower just slanted over. Walked around, took a couple pictures, tried to free Austin from the gypsy that was trying to sell him a €150 Folex (Fake Rolex to those who don't "get it"), got the best pizza the city had to offer, and then pop onto another train to Lucca.

Europe (3)
Originally uploaded by webby37.

There we walked around, checked out a church and a super big tower, free Austin from a lil' German princess ("I SWEAR OFFICER, SHE WAS 18"), biked around the city, ate a couple crepes, and then headed off back to the train station.

Ok, my time at this internet station is running out, so i think I will let my avid readers go. Watch for more posts, earier dated, and this post in an updated for. Sorry, don't wanna pay for more time. Later!

-cw

Duomo = Big Church: My time in Florence

FLORENCE, ITALY - Question: What is big, round, has 463 steps, and is easily the most recognizable building in the heart of the Renaissance?

Today, I had the oppurtunity to visit Florence, a city that I'd studied so much in my Literary Walk in Tuscany class. It was definately one of the most interesting places I've even been. With every step on the street, you find yourself more surrounded by the remnants of great artists, sculptors, and architects of this historical place.

Definately one of the high points of today was visiting the Duomo (officially Santa Maria del Fiore), probably the most famous building in all of Tuscany (with the exception of the Leaning Tower of Pisa). It took over 100 years to build the church and its dome, towering 177 ft above the city. I was out of breath from 463-step climb to the top of the dome, but remained out of breath by the incredible view of Tuscany, laid out right before me.

We also got to check out the Piazza della Signoria, the incredible beautiful square featuring the amazing Neptune Fountain and a statue of Cosimo Medici I. The piazza also has a copy of Michaelangelo's David, which ended up being the only version of the famous artwork I would see. The line into the Uffizi Gallery was so long, I didn't feel like waiting to see just that one piece.

Another stop I made was the Pitti Palace (where I threatened to have a party... think about it...). While the interior design of this Medici palace was mindnumbing, and the artwork on the inside was awe-inspiring, the highlight of this building for me came after I used the restroom, when I proudly proclaimed to my fellow tourists that I had just taken "a potty in the Pitti."

Maybe, however, one of my best memories from Florence will have been at the Ponte Vecchio, the "old bridge" of Florence. It was on this bridge that I experienced my first Italian gelato, and I'll never forget my cone of stracciatella while looking at the "lover's locks" hanging from the bridge. Maybe one day, Firenzia.

For an incredible look at what Florence looks like, click here and click on "Interactive Tour of Florence," near the top. Click here to see the city, LIVE.

-cw

Arrival

MONTECATINI, ITALY - I don't want to talk about how tired I am. Let's just say that I don’t wanna go back to the US, not necessarily because Italy is so great, but because planes just plain suck.

All that aside, I’m a pretty happy person. Thank God we made it in safely. On the plane, I got to finally watch National Treasure, arguably the cheesiest movie ever invented; I was fed on the plane, so that was good. We met up with our tour leader, Paulo, a really nice Italian guy. WE ate at the equivalent of a gas station restaurant a la Taco Bell, minus the gas station. We drove through the rain, saw beautiful scenery, and go safely into our hotel.

The hotel we're staying in, Hotel Minera, is a very nice 3 stars in rating. Jonathan Hilliard and I are staying in room 215, all the way at the end of the hall, in a room with a trick door that was incredibly hard to open. However not bad at all. I have a mini bed, a half closet, and a place to plug in electronics. (Thanks, Dad, for the converter!)

Finally, now that we were set, we ran downstairs and drank grapefruit juice and ate supper. First course was this incredible bean soup that tasted a lot like a lentil soup. 2nd course was a very good pasta that had a marinara sauce, followed by finally veal. It was probably the first time I had beef in like 4 years. Yea, it was incredible. Finally we ended on gelato.

Yup, so that's all for today. Back in the room now, I’m pretty tired after all that traveling. Tomorrow we visit Florence, the town that I’ve earned so much about. I'm excited! Talk to you later!

-cw

Leaving, on a jet plane...

SOMEWHERE OVER THE ATLANTIC - So here I am: in a plane, over the ocean, in seat 26C, between a woman who doesn't speak any English and a man with excruciating body odor. I'm tired, I stink, and at the request of the flight attendant staff, I’m not to wander about the cabin for no reason in particular. At this point in my life, I’d be happy never sitting down ever again.

It's been two hours.

I really don’t know how much longer I’m going to last. I mean, this flight is like 10 hours long, and a solid 2 hours worth of the in-flight entertainment is watching Nicholas Cage try to act interested in this National Treasure he’s supposed to be looking for. For food, they’ve put a corpse of something (smells kinda like chicken) in front of me, leaving me with 8 more hours of snacking on Sprite and pretzels.

However, I think it's worth it. In only a few hours, I'll land in Amsterdam, jump off one plane and onto another bound for Milan, and get on a bus for a five hour trip to our final destination. We'll settle in, I’ll look around, and realize that yes, I am in Italy. Wow.

To be honest, I only became really excited about this trip in the last 2 weeks. Since I got back from Peru, all I could think about was heading off to Kenya and how I would make it through the rest of the school year with my sanity intact. But in the last few days, really, I’ve began looking more and more forward to touring the region I've studied so hard this semester.

But we still have a long ways to go. More flying, another flight, and a five hour bus trip await me still. That's a solid 12 until I am free. I better get comfortable.

-cw

Phanton Photographer finds fool's flat

JUNCTION CITY, KS - The Phanton Photographer has struck again, and this time close to home.

Or more like, in the home.

Blogmaster Chris Webb was extrememely suprised to find a picture of his new room plastered across his blog early Sabbath morning. The picture, taken mysteriously near the time Webb was in/near the room, was loaded onto the site without authorization.

"We're now conducting a full-scale investigation into this Phanton Photographer," said Webb at a press conference after church. "And by 'we,' I mean 'I.' Really, I have no staff or anything. I have to do this dang blog by myself. And, by the way, 'full scale' means 'when I have a chance or get up from the couch and stop watching all this TV.' Yup. Otherwise, yes, investigation."

"He will not invade my domain again! And by domain, I mean 'room.' Or 'flat,' for alliteration's sake."

-cw

Storm in KS

JUNCTION CITY, KS - A storm passed through Kansas tonight. This is actually not big news. I'm just being a good reporter.

-cw

Girl sits in rain; now facing "wet butt" syndrome

LINCOLN, NE - Laura Rumppe, a Union College student, sat in a puddle at the University of Nebraska (Lincoln) campus tonight. Rumppe did not specify if the "sit-in" was out of protest; apparently, she just felt the urge to "look homeless."

Now, Rumppe has to deal with the horrors of Van Orten's Disease, better known as "Wet Butt Syndrome."

Story developing...

-cw

Phanton Photographer strikes again

UC COMPUTER LAB - He's baaaaaack.

The Phantom Photographer struck again today, capturing Katrina Emery (L) and Chris Webb sitting at a computer. The two didn't see the man, dressed in a black cloak and fully bearded, running towards them with Webb's camera phone.

A voice yelled "Cheeeeese!", and the two looked up to see Phantom Photographer running away gleefully with the image of the students on the screen of the phone.

Story developing...

-cw

Stormtroopers invade Culver Hall

DSC00826 - Jedi
Originally uploaded by webby37.

LINCOLN, NE - Strormtroopers invaded Union College's Culver Hall tonight, injuring and killing 37 anonymous henchmen stationed in the dorm lobby. The strike team, representing Darth Derek's Dark Side, ran a successful atttack campaign until their elevator stopped on 2nd Floor. There, Jedi Jason Warren defended the honor of the Mexicans, the Samoans, the black people, and the 5 white guys who live in Union's "other" men's residence hall.

-cw

Warren, Webb to star in new film

Jason and Chris
Originally uploaded by webby37.

HOLLYWOOD, CA - After yet another late night Photoshopping episode, Jason Warren and Chris Webb announced their plans to star in the new film, "Star Bores." George Lucas will not direct this spoof.
" This was was pretty good. We look stupid and fake, but our lightsabers look way cool," said Warren, commenting on the new posters for the unreleased film.

-cw

Jedi attacks Darth in hall, suspects to be bad guy

Revenge of Nerds
Originally uploaded by webby37.

DEATH STAR, DEEP SPACE - Jedi Jason Warren swung a light saber at Darth Daniel late last night. Daniel, with lightning quick reflexes, managed to escape the weapon.

-cw

Warren attacks Daniel in hall, suspects to be villain

DSC00824
Originally uploaded by webby37.

LINCOLN, NE - Jason Warren swung a golf club at Derek Daniel late last night. Daniel, with lightning quick reflexes, managed to escape the 6-iron.

-cw

Editor visits office for last time

A Picture Share!
Originally uploaded by webby37.

STUDENT CENTER, UC - The end of an era has come.

After a whopping 16 issues of student-led journalism, editor Chris Webb has signed off as the Union College Clocktower's head honcho.

Webb celebrated the accomplishment, last reached in 2003, by viewing the award-winning film, Kung Pow: Enter the Fist in his office.

He was joined by Layout Editor Rachel Turner, Copy Editor Katrina Emery, and head peon/"Tisbottle" connoisseur Jason Warren.

"All in all, it was a great year for the paper," said Webb. "Itwas a lot of fun, and I thank God I had this oppurtunity."

"But I thank God it's over, too."

-cw

Picture appears on site: who is to blame?

ORTNER CENTER - Something is fishy here.

While sitting at a booth in the Union College cafeteria, Chris Webb (L) and Jennifer Allred were "suddenly and deliberately attacked" [in a completely photographical way] by a large, handsome, barely recognizable male.

The man, now dubbed the Phanton Photographer, ran up to the two, pulled out his camera phone, and stole a shot of the two posing for a picture. Derek Daniel, boyfriend of Allred, was also at the table, but was far too shocked to actually do something about the situation.

If that wasn't enough, the picture appeared on Webb's recently opened blog, taunting the man and leading him to vow to find the perpetrator.

"We'll get this Phanton Photographer guy, I promise," Webb promised at one of his random, rarely announced press conference. He then ran his fingers through his beautiful, curly, flowing hair and stared reporters down with his steely blue eyes. "Oh yes, I promise."

-cw

Students attend Nichole Nordeman concert

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Originally uploaded by webby37.

OMAHA, NE - Shelli Johnson and Chris Webb sped down Highway 80, racing to get to the church, find seats, and enjoy a musical mastermind's music.

The two drove out to Omaha tonight for the Nichole Nordeman concert.

"She was just incredible," said Webb, beaming from the wonderful music they had heard. "It was a great time and a wonderful blessing to all who attended."

Johnson was unavailable for comment at press time.

-cw

A view from Africa: Pictures from Kenya

African Safari 129e
Click on picture to see the rest!

LINCOLN, NE - When Valerie Robinette handed Chris Webb the CD of pictures from Maxwell Adventist Academy, he practically ran to his room.

CD in hand, of course.

Webb and Robinette will both be student missionary assistant deans at MAA in Kenya next year. Robinette managed to get ahold of pictures of the MAA campus and quickly burned one for her fellow UC SM.

In a statement following the "looking-at-all-the-pictures-on-the-CD" session, Webb announced that he would be releasing the photographs on his blog.

By simply clicking the picture on the screen, visitors would be sent to a slideshow of select other pictures of MAA. He hopes that they will help illustrate where he'll be working next year.

-cw

Blogger cites article, declares love for punctuation

CULVER HALL, ROOM 250 - Chris Webb declared his love for punctutaion at an online press conference/blog publishing today.

"I just read an incredible article about punctuation," he said, referring to this page. "Let us all stand behind Mr. Josh Greenman in his declaration that, yes, we should have a mark for the end of our sentences that informs readers that we are being smart-asses."

Indeed we should, Chris. Indeed we should¡

-cw

Webb falls in love... with plastic and metal.

LINCOLN, NE - In yet another showing of his excellent mood recently, Chris Webb declared his love for "his new baby," his 30GB iPod Photo [pictured here].

The iPod, dubbed "iGor" in reference to the Mel Brooks film Young Frankenstein, currently occupies Webb's right pocket, a spot usually reserved for his Sony Clie.

The Clie declined comment.

-cw

Webb begins blog: throngs of supporters cheer

LINCOLN, NE - Union College student Chris Webb expectedly announced the opening of his blog today. The blog, in his own words, will presumably be Webb's way of keeping in touch with his friends and family throughout the next year and a half.

Webb recently announced his summer plans to visit Italy with Union College's Honors Program, at work at Broken Arrow Ranch as either a counselor or executive staff.

This will all precede the year off Webb will spend in Kenya, assistant deaning at Maxwell Adventist Academy.

At his announcement press conference, Webb seemed optomistic on the future of the blog. "We'll see if I'm able to stick with it and actually keep it updated, but if i can, it'll be a great way to keep in touch with those (few) people in my life that want to know what is going on in my life."

-cw