Schools Out!August 12th, 2008 at 10:30PM So I have been really busy and have not posted for a loooong time. Here we go. On Friday we had our final for our International Politics class and then had a fun party to see everyone off. Almost everyone in our group is traveling somewhere for at least two weeks once our final was over. As for Ashley and I, we are going to Edinburgh, Pisa, Florence, Venice and Rome (in that order). Saturday morning we left early for the train station in Oxford to head to Edinburgh. We arrived around two and met Lauren (sister) at the Pleasance venue as part of the Fringe Festival. For those who do not know what the Fringe Festival is, it is essentially a month-long international art show. The Pleasance venue (where Lauren works) mainly shows comedy and theater (performing arts). Right when we arrived, Lauren had for us two tickets to see her friend Stefan Golaszewski perform his act. It was great and humorous story about a girl who he had once loved (made up of course). That night we saw (and met) one of my favorite comedians, Tim Minchin (link). He is a very talented musical comedian who also has various stand up between songs. He is by far one of the funniest and most musically talented person I have seen. The next day we woke up early and hiked up an ancient volcano known as Arthur Seet. It was great with incredible views. We walked all over town as well and went into various souvenir shops and stores. We also saw about three shows that day as well. One highlight show of that day was a sketch comedy group known as "Idiots of Ants" (link). They were incredibly funny and had some great skits. On Monday we checked out some more shops and browsed the town some more. Edinburgh is a really cool city with so much to see. The people are extremely nice and everyone loves having conversations with those from California. One show we saw on Monday was absolutely amazing. It was called "The Factory" and was a recreation of what it was like to be in Auschwitz during WWII. It was essentially an interactive play in which they place you in a basement recreated like a concentration camp. They start the play lining you up in two lines a cussing you out. I really wish I could explain it to you, but I cannot. It was a one of a kind experience that is simply unexplainable. To sum it up, you are on your way to be gassed and there are about 5-6 actors around you acting everything out. A lot of people in the group were crying and were really taken back. I really don't know what else to say. In Edinburgh, we saw a total of eight shows: - Stefan Golaszewski - Tommy and the Weeks - Tim Minchin - Idiots of Ants - Aliens Ate My Schnitzel! - We Need Answers - Pericles Redux - The Factory Tuesday (Today) we arrived in Pisa and took a train to Florence where we are right now. We are staying at Hotel Tina, right in the middle of Florence. Tonight we browsed around town, had a great dinner and wine and ate awesome gelato. It was gelat-astic! I heard that in Italy, Pistachio gelato is one of the best flavors to get. When ever I think of pistachios, I think of Grandpa. So when I get Pistachio gelato tomorrow, I will dedicate it to you, Grandpa! I heard you and Grandma read this, so I decided to say hi! Hi Grandma and Grandpa! That's about it for now. I have posted pictures of Edinburgh in the Photo section and will post pictures of Italy as soon as we get some more tomorrow. For anyone who is having trouble posting to my site, send me an email at adamstorr@gmail.com.   - contact adam
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