Waters soaked in oil...

Feburary 24th, 2009
We headed out to Marti Gras which was amazing!!! We saw floats that towered over us and had singing and dancing, me betsy and ania each had a beer. which was another nice addition. I saw darth vader wandering around, but since my lightsaber was at home i could not destroy him... Me and Ashley ended up heading home before Ania Allyson and Betsy since we were tired and such. The train ride was nice. Me and Betsy, Later joined by Ania ran into the Mediterranian Sea cold but refreshing.

Wedensday, Feburary 25th in the Year of our Lord 2009

Today was more of a relax day. I went to class, then when class was over i sat here messin around on the computer then we went to the ash wedensday procession which was a fun time, we marched with the bishop and then went into the cathedral. Afterwards instead of walking back to villa bonelli and or walking up to la reggia we decided to go to JJ's well, 4 of us and we had some beer played darts. then we went up to the resturant and while there the table i was at got a water bottle with a cigarette butt in it. I tasted some of it, ICKY tomorrow we are off to Switzerland.


-Eldon John Vaselaar

"Though all the world stand against you, let hope reign supreme!"

For those on Eternal Patrol....

Today we talked about a lot in italian politics and global issues and after reading some articles i am reminded just how lucky i am to be here. And of all those who gave their lives that i might see a better world. The sun was beautiful out and after watching the kids from Vanderbilt who were loud and obnoxious, (which says alot since our group gets loud some times too) just how we behave in foreign countries reflects on everyone. Please be repectful. but anyway, this bolg is to those who have given their lives in the name of peace. We will remeber, We do not forget


-Eldon John Vaselaar

"Though all the world stand against you, let hope reign supreme!"

Sunlit seas and 007

Hey y'all today was beautiful and i went walking around after church and a nap. I wanted to take pictures of the cemetary since it closed at 1pm, dang them. I did play harmonica for a bit and read a few different passages. Productive day. We watched Casino Royale and i got a chance to talk to my mother and my sister. Food was good. We have been enjoying italy and just hangin out. Talk to you later!



-Eldon John Vaselaar

"Though all the world stand against you, let hope reign supreme!"

What do you do with a drunken sailor

Today was a rest day for me, Joey and most of the people went to Bolognia and I took the day to clean and work on my laundry. It is beautiful out so i have my windows out and its wonderful, although i lost one of my address sheets so i will have to call mom and fix that. But its about 4 pm and i probably have laundry that needs work. I dont know what i am doing tonight, probably going out but i know i will hunt supper around 7pm. The door to villa bonelli is broken and i did not know so i was trying to open it for about 5 minutes, then we figured out the door was broken, silly me. Hope all is well at home.

-Eldon John Vaselaar

"Though all the world stand against you, let hope reign supreme!"

All hands before the mast

So today we were in San Giminiano, (I spelled that wrong i think :S) And it was a blast, i picked up some good white wine and the church had frescos that depicted the new and old testement. One of the churches had been converted to a wine store. and Afterwards we climbed to the fort and i met these very nice girls. We then went and bought our wine. And hopped on the bus. When we got back to fiesole we went up to our hotel then to la reggia for supper and after supper me, ashley, ania, bob and dr. fox went to another place and had wine and lemon chelo and dessert and talked for 2 hours. It was amazing. We will be in switzerland next weekend. Fun times, and a happy birthday early to my friend Ashley Pecholt!!!!!




-Eldon John Vaselaar

"Though all the world stand against you, let hope reign supreme!"

Take cover young soldier take cover for your life.

Hey everyone, so Today we went to the Old Palace which was the seat of Medici power. It was a venerable monument to Affluence. I looked at tickets for Marsielle and no luck too much travel for too little time. I got my JJ shirt this week. All hail to me yeah. We got to see the apartments of Pope Leo X and Clements VII both Medicis. Such power from such a small palace. There were secret rooms we got to see and those were amazing. I can see why people liked having them they are totally cool. I want some. Monday was snowy, and somewhat long but tuesday was a fun day. And today went well. Tomorrow we'll see how the test went in Art.....(omminous music plays). Hopefully all is well. Friday we are off to San Giminiano which is famous for white wine. I am going to be in heaven. Hope all is going well at home. Peace out

-Eldon John Vaselaar

"Though all the world stand against you, let hope reign supreme!"

The Panama Canal.....and DOD

So I spent this weekend in venice where among other things i managed to spend 3 euro on a liter and a half bottle of white wine, this shoudl last for quite a while and is amazing wine. We went on a gondola ride which was amazing. Me and the guys all smoked cigars a rare occurance. We saw St. Mark's square took a ferry to this little camping area that was simply amazing and cheap. food was a bit spendy since i was tourist season with Carnivale and all that but we managed. The first day we wandered around kind of lost and when we got to the camp ground we were ready to eat and then hit the rack. We had little cabin type things and they were very nice. the next day we wandered around venice. picked up mask for carnivale and the wiine, along with just going around and looking at the city. we split into two groups and 7 of us went on the gondola and the other 3 went to wander around a bit more. Now we are back for midterms. the last one for me this week. Of course the last hour of DOD (Day of Depression a.k.a. Valentines day) was spent in the eldon tradition of being tired and just ready for the day to be done. With all the kissing and such at bridges it was needless to say, a dry night on the kissing side for Eldon and like all but one valentine's day spent waiting for the 15th no valentines this year but there is always net year ;) peace yall




-Eldon John Vaselaar

"Though all the world stand against you, let hope reign supreme!"

Execute paragraph 11.

Midterms, the cold waters of the northsea are like a picnic compared to this time of year. We have been studying like rabid squirels and pouring over art and other such tests. I did alright on my history mid term i think. My language well, we'll see how that one turns out. We went to la reggia last night and then back to a powerpoint made by the most capable ashley and allyson. After the power point we studied for a bit and i went to bed since it was to be an early morning. We went to Uffizzi this morning and o my lord was it large. we did not see everything but i saw some cool busts including one of Julius Ceaser and Leo X (the First Medici pope) as well as a copy of a portrait of Julius II the warrior pope. totally awsome Along with some of the maistras we are studying in class among other things. We have a big test today and i am studying for it then venice for the weekend. and tonight i drown myself in a sea of alcohol. well maybe not that much but we are all celebrating the end of the art final. and i just won darts hail to me. Peace out


-Eldon John Vaselaar

"Though all the world stand against you, let hope reign supreme!"

The north sea is a viscious rain drenched sea

SO today it is raining agian but we are going down for skydiving tickets. in two weeks i will be screaming out of a plane strapped to some swiss man. (no doubt i will yell something manly). I got a letter from ashley and my grandmother and aunt. it was an exiting day. We dont get supper tonight but there is talk of supper at the bar. The have buffalo wings, that would be amazing! The chamber singers will be in Marseilles next week and i am going to hope a train to go see the people from school. Well that is all for now. Peace


-Eldon John Vaselaar

"Though all the world stand against you, let hope reign supreme!"

There and Back again, on holiday with Eldon

So our political science class was cancelled. So i had a free day today and decided to do something crazy, If you are thinking that I walked to rome and back you are off by a couple hundred miles. But i did walk to Florence and back from Fiesole. This was an interesting adventure because i took the wrong road down which ment i came out in another part of florence but by following bus signs i made it to a central place called Le Cure where i had been before and managed to make it to San Maria Novella. There i took a pit stop and then went to the McDonalds because i was famished. After fueling up i wandered into Edison book store to find myself a cook book. I saw a few good ones but will wait till later to find what i am looking for. Then i wandered down by Santa Croche and the Arno. Following this journey it was about 2:3opm so i went to the Duomo and rested a bit, then back to the station for a pit stop and back up the hill. The way up was quite a work out and now that i am back in villa bonelli i will need to go shower soon. however. i did walk up faster than when i walked down. no doubt due to taking the right road this time. It was a thrilling day. Yesterday we went to the Fiorentina Lazzio game which was intense. all the Lazzio fans were sitting in a caged area chanting things that i can only assume were not very nice. but the Fiorentina fans responded with a multitude of gestures that were the equivlent of the middle finger. Fiorentina won 1-0 and that was cause for celebration. the Lazzio fans could not leave until all the rest of the stadium was empty. (for their saftey). When the Fiorentina scored all the fans ran up to the cage to taunt lazzio. it was incredible.

-Eldon John Vaselaar

"Though all the world stand against you, let hope reign supreme!"

Gloria! Gloria! In Exclesis Deio.

So me and Betsy went to mass today in the Cathedral in Fiesole. It was an exciting time since there was singing, (i recognized one of the songs) and we had mass books so we could sort of follow along. Betsy did better than i did but its cool. I am working on a special suprise for people in the secret recess of my mind. we will see how that turns out. Today we are going to see a soccer game. I hope i am wearing appropriate attire although if i get my butt kicked i guess i wasn't. Its raining again but not hard and i hope the rain subsides by 1pm. Most of the Guys are stilll asleep. I spent yesterday wandering around Fiesole a bit. I walked into what i thought was a park and some guy opened his window and just stared at me so i left in a hurry. (I hope i was not trespassing. but i did nto see any signs.) I contiuned toward the caves of davinci but decided that was a trip for another day. We went to Etrusca last night and had a blast. It is so amazing here in Fiesole. There is talk of Pisa one of these days but we have a few midterms this week....blah. but it will all be good. Once again Peace out my compatriots.



-Eldon John Vaselaar

"Though all the world stand against you, let hope reign supreme!"

and the Seas rose in fury at the slaugther of the Teleri

Okay so we went to Siena yesterday and I got to see more dead people which is incredibally Amazing!!! Incorruptable is awsome. We saw some really cool churches and i got a picture with John Paul II. See if you can figure out how........ It rained most of the day. Althougth we went and ate at a cool pizza place. which was delicious. We talked about golfing with BOb at supper and it sounds like it is about 25 euro to put your name in the lottery at St. Andrews to play on the old course. the whole rental is cheaper than most american courses. So I might have to check that out. Overall the trip is amazing so far. There are tons of cathedrals and i saw the best pulpit ever yesterday. All Hail Italia! More rain today and tomorrow soccer.



-Eldon John Vaselaar

"Though all the world stand against you, let hope reign supreme!"

Full Steam A Head!

So last night we went out for Jill's bday and me and jill and bailey sang piano man:) i love singing. I also had the unforunate occurenc of sitting on a chocolate bar for 4 hours and when i got up and saw the chocolate on the sheet i had to ask joey if I had chocolate on the butt region of my pants. I did. so my pants are soaking now and i hope i can get the stain out. I got to talk to Ashley pecholt last night and we are going to be valentines along with our cats. YAY! haha. Today we went down to florence and were able to get tickets to see Florence vs. Latium. It will be exciting that is this sunday. We are goin to pisa saturday. It will be our first adventure without bob. Wish us luck. I also got a letter from Grandma Jeannie. That was amazing!!!!! We have midterms next week except in politics where we will have two more classes and then the final. I discovered Dr. Horrible's Singalong blog thanks to Bethany. It is addicting. Well, despite the rain i am in high spirits.

Peace Out

-Eldon John Vaselaar

"Though all the world stand against you, let hope reign supreme!"

Batten down the Hatches Secure the Main Mast All Eyes into the Gale!

So here we are in Italy and once again stuck inside as rain pounds on the windows of Villa Bonelli. Of course it has to rain. always raining. But my spirits are up. We celebrated two birthdays last night and will be celebrating again tonight. We get to go to seina on friday and even if it rains i will have fun. I got to talk to bethany last night and she was glad to see the rain. Haha, i love my friends. All of them. We keep learning more about italian culture such as the waiters are more mean than in america but so far they have all been nice to us. Classes are going well. Tomorrow i have an extra class because it was moved from monday but just this class. Soon it will be mid terms. I hope all is going well with the folks at home.


-Eldon John Vaselaar

"Though all the world stand against you, let hope reign supreme!"

Kyrie Leison

Hey All! So i just got comfirmation from the vatican and me and two friends get to go on a scavi tour which is a tour of the catacombs beneath St Peter's Basilica in april this year. It will be an amazing experience, i will also take this time to say Rest in Peace to my good friends Fern Bickett and Lauretta Schiedt both residents at Sanford Adrian Care Center where i am employed. They will be missed. Yesterday we took a day of relaxing after a fun night. Me and Betsy went to mass at 11am at the franciscan Monestary. That was AWSOME! there was singing and even though it was in italian we did alright. A few of the guys and some of the girls went down town to watch the super bowl. We stayed for the 1st half and got to watch the 100 interception TD return. amazing. I also got to talk to two girls from the united states who are also studyng here. Their names were Kelly and Maria. Kelly is a history major. I had such a good time. Although when we got done at 1/2 time and left there were no buses and it took forever to get a taxi. Last time i am down in Florence after 1am. Anyway, I hope all is well at home.

Peace Out

-Eldon John Vaselaar

"Though all the world stand against you, let hope reign supreme!"