The City by the Bay (:

This week, I thought we would take it back to the United States. We're heading to... SAN FRANCISCO! I've only been once before. I can remember it exactly. I was in the fourth grade. I went over April break and I had a fabulous time ... but ... I got food poisoning the Friday before we were supposed to leave. Needless to say, I was sick the entire trip. Boo :(

The reason we went out was because at the time, my aunt had relocated to San Francisco for a job offer. We wanted to visit her... and .... ya know, see the city.

WARNING: I am going to share pictures of my trip while I was there. Remember I was only ten years old. Just keep that in mind.

This is a picture from when we visited the Ghirardelli Chocolate and Ice Cream Company. San Francisco is known for their Ghirardelli Chocolate and Ice Cream. Needless to say, it was the best ice cream sundae I have ever had in my entire life. I speak the truth. If you ever visit there, trust me. TRY IT!!!

This next picture is when we visited Alcatraz Island. For those of you who don't know, Alcatraz Island was a federal prison from 1933 to 1963. It is located 1.5 miles offshore from San Francisco. It was home to some of the country's most high profile criminals. You must be wondering why we're wearing headphones? Well, while you're on the tour, you wear headphones and you have an audio tour guide. A person shows you where to go but all the information is given while listening to the headphones.

This picture was taken in the park right in front of the infamous Painted Ladies. The Painted Ladies are a row of Victorian houses who are created using three colors. They all resemble one another. For those of you who were obsessed with Full House as much as I was, you'll recognize this. They are the houses you see in the opening credits. Also, the park that I am standing in is the exact park in the credits in which they are having a picnic. Pretty cool, right?!?!

This was MY FIRST TIME EVER AT THE PACIFIC OCEAN!!! It was also my only time at the Pacific Ocean considering I have never been back. It was beautiful. The weather there is amazing. Even in April, when you see the ocean, you have a sudden urge to jump in and start swimming. I really wish I did that!!! Like how cool would that have been?








Well, if I was to share every picture I took with you, we would be here for days. I will post some additional pictures below to show you a couple other places I visited that I did not mention above. I hope you enjoyed this post. 

As always, 
talk soon :)

                                                  The infamous crooked "Lombard Street"

Our trip to Muir Woods - Home to the tallest trees in the country

The intersection of Haight - Ashbury which is famous for its history of hippie culture

My first time at In-N-Out Burger place.. SO GOOD

Me and my sister with a former Alcatraz prisoner

What a typical prison cell looked like 

First time on a Cable Car

A view from below the Golden Gate Bridge

An overview from my aunt's office

Fisherman's wharf with all the seals 

A view from on the Golden Gate Bridge

The Coit Tower

The closest I will ever come to Stanford University

Hope you enjoyed the Pictures!!!!!!! :) 

The Most Beautiful Place on Earth A.K.A Fiji :)

So... This week I thought we would tak about a place I think is the most beautiful place in the world. Yes, my friends, we will be touring... FIJI!!!

For those of you who know me personally, you know that it has always been my dream to visit Fiji. I'm not entirely sure why because I don't know anyone who has travelled there but still... I mean c'mon, wouldn't you want to go there? I don't think I have ever seen an ugly picture of it.. EVER.

Here is a link of some pretty nice resorts if any of you are planning to travel there. (...Just in case...)
http://www.tripadvisor.com/SmartDeals-g294331-Fiji-Hotel-Deals.html

One of the resorts I particular liked that I researched was the Likuliku Lagoon Resort. And yes, I have done my research because someday I will get there. SOMEDAY.

Here are some pictures I found of it. WARNING: you may want to go book a trip once you see this. Trust me.

 

 

It's beautiful ain't it?!?!

 

 

Ok, ok I'll stop toturing you with all these beautiful pictures. They're hard to see, I know.

 

Here are some tips for you in case you decide to take a trip there someday. I mean, you always have to be prepared just in case, right??

 

1. Fun things to do in Fiji http://www.fiji.travel/activities

• Hobiecat Sailing with Adrenaline
• Aqua Tours Fiji
• Rivera-One Charters
• Whitetip Marine Adventures
• Scenic Flights

 



2. What should I bring?  http://www.tripadvisor.com.au/Travel-g294331-c134773/Fiji:Faq.What.Do.We.Need.To.Bring.html

 

- Sun tan lotion

- Bug Spray

- Bandaids

- Underwater camera

- Laptop computer

- Mask and snorkel

 

Well.... I hope this was a helpful post! If any of you are planning on travelling to Fiji, feel free to take me along with you :) .... Just Kidding!!! Sorta.... I mean I could always fit in a suitcase or whatever... Someday I will get there.

 

Someday.

 

 

 

 

Movie Review: What's Eating Gilbert Grape

This week, we are taking a break from our usual journey. I know this is not usually what I write about, but I need to share with all of you a movie I think is well worth watching. That movie would be none other than "What's Eating Gilbert Grape".

Usually, this wouldn't be the type of movie I would watch. I tend to have a certain genre that I usually watch and this movie isn't it. But, my Creative Writing teacher put this on for us off of Netflix. Watching this movie, I found myself obsessed with the acting and just the whole plot of the movie. I came home that first day and finished the entire movie. 

Let me share with you a little about this movie...

This movie stars Johnny Depp as Gilbert Grape and Leonardo DiCaprio as Arnie. Gilbert is in a family where his father died and to deal with her depression, his mother gained a lot of weight. Gilbert has two sisters and a brother Arnie who has a mental condition. When his father died, Gilbert was forced to step up to the plate and become the man of the house. Gilbert also takes on the responsibility of caring for Arnie. Halfway through the movie, Gilbert meets a girl named Becky who is passing through the town. Gilbert takes a liking to Becky. Becky also accepts Arnie unlike the others in the town who point fingers and laugh.

At one point in the movie, we find out the meaning behind the title "What's Eating Gilbert Grape". Gilbert tells Becky what he wants. He wants his mother to take fitness classes, he wants Arnie to be given a normal brain, and he wants his youngest sister to grow up. Throughout the movie, the youngest sister battles her family and argues with Gilbert and Arnie a lot. 

I won't spoil the ending for you... Soooo.... GO WATCH IT!!!!! 

I promise you will not be disappointed. You have my word. 

P.S. I have to commend Leonardo DiCaprio on his acting. He did an outstanding job playing the role of one who is mentally disabled. He deserves several rounds of applause.

The Most Magical Place In The World (;

“Here you leave today and enter the world of 

yesterday, tomorrow, and fantasy.”

- Walt Disney

I'm sure many of you have heard of THE MOST MAGICAL PLACE IN THE WORLD?!?! For those of you who haven't, what kind of childhood did you have?!?! Just kidding :) ....Kind of.... Well, I am talking about WALT DISNEY WORLD!! (You'll notice this is a very colorful post, but it's DISNEY WORLD, can you blame me?? 

The first time I have ever been to DISNEY WORLD was when I was in the 8th grade. All my friends had been many times before and I was the only one who had never been. April vacation of my 8th grade year was the most memorable experience of my life for me and I am going to share it with you! (In the pictures don't mind my hideous hair! I was in the blonde phase....) 

Here is a picture of the afternoon parade at Magic Kingdom. Btw, my sister does all the photography in the family because she's artsy like that. I can write, she does the pictures. That's the way it's always been and always will be :) Anywho, this parade was my favorite one out of all the parks. It was just so amazing. I don't think there is another word I can use to describe it besides amazing. My favorite ride at Magic Kingdom was Space Mountain. I'll attach a video below of what an actual experience is like on Space Mountain. You better just watch because I don't think if I describe it you will get the full effect. 

Just watch it, trust me. 

My next favorite exhibit would be Hollywood Studios. Have you ever been to the American Idol there?!?! It's just like being at the real thing! Below is a video of what the experience is like:

Here are pictures of one of my my favorite places: the countries! DISNEY WORLD has this exhibit in Epcot where they portray all the countries! It is so amazing!!!!

This is a picture of Italy. It has always been my dream to travel to Italy someday (you will soon find that out....) so it was such an amazing experience to visit the "Mock Italy". I'm 50% Italian so it was just a really moving experience seeing what the real Italy feels like. 

Unfortunately, Ireland is not a part of the countries. Being 50% Irish, I am really disappointed. Maybe I should write a letter?!? Hmmmm.... For those of you who are Irish, you will understand my anger. But, here is a picture of England. I guess that is the closest thing to Ireland. Doesn't make up for Ireland's absence though. 

Lastly, I will share my FAVORITE RIDE there. That would be.... *drum roll* ...... AEROSMITH'S ROCKING ROLLER COASTER!!! Boy, does that ride give you a rush or what?!?! Here is a video to help you understand the experience:

I hope you enjoyed this post!!! I really hope you all have had the chance to experience DISNEY WORLD, but if you haven't, GET THERE NOW!!!! I wasn't even able to show you half of the amazing spots because I would be writing for days. Literally.

Have a magical day!

P.S. I am going back this April Vacation!!! I will be sure to share my WALT DISNEY WORLD 2.0!! I can't wait to visit all the new princess castles so I will keep you updated! OOOH before I forget, visit the Lion King show in Animal Kingdom! AMAZING! Enjoy!

Talk soon

xoxoxoxo

The City of Lights :)

Hello all! Next on my wishlist, we are heading to the one and only.. PARIS, FRANCE!!!! A.k.a the City of Lights! Above, is a video of the 10 best places to visit in France. Just something you might be interested in :)

Have you ever wondered why Paris is called the City of Lights? Well, I have the answer for you :) Paris is the most lit city in the world thus it is called the City of Lights. In 1828, Paris started lighting the Champs De Elysees with gas lamps. It was the first city in Europe to start lighting, and so earned the nickname La ville Lumiere of The City of Lights. Just a fun fact for you. 



This picture you see to the right is the infamous lock bridge in Paris. For those of you who haven't heard of the lock bridge, let me explain what it is. I'll be your tour guide :)  A couple writes their names on a padlock and locks it onto one of the bridges. They then throw the key into the Seine River as a symbol of their undying love for one another. How romantic?!?! According to a French tour guide, “There are two bridges in Paris with the locks, you must be very careful which bridge you put your lock on because Pont des Arts is for your committed love, while Pont de l'Archevêché is for your lover.” Some say that the only way to break this lock of love is to find the key and to unlock the padlock. Yet, it is seemingly impossible because the keys are at the bottom of the ocean. For those of you who have seen Keeping Up With The Kardashians, Scott Disick and Kourtney Kardashian maximized their love by locking it onto the bridge. Such a romantic episode! When I visit Paris, this is my priority to visit.



This is the Eiffel Tower. It is one of the largest structures in the world. During the construction of it, it surpassed the Washington Monument to become the largest structure in the world. It is located on the Champ de Mars in Paris. It was named after the engineer Gustave Eiffel, whose company designed and built the tower. The tower has three levels for visitors. The Eiffel Tower is my 2nd priority to visit. 






When I graduate from high school, my aunt told me that as a present she would take me to any place in the world of my choice. I chose Paris, France. I think it is one of the most beautiful places in the world and I am so excited to visit. Below is a panorama of the view from the Eiffel Tower. (I did not take any of these pictures; courtesy of google). Enjoy!

New York City :)

SO... to start this journey, I'd figure I would talk about a place I have only been to twice in my entire life, yet I can see myself living there when I get older. We are going to talk about... THE BIG APPLE ... a.k.a New York City (NYC). You'll notice I like to abbreviate a lot considering how lazy I actually am. The first time I had went was when I was in the third grade. The reason I went was to visit the American Girl Store (which I thought was the coolest ever). This experience was much different for me.


I went last year on my 16th birthday with my mom, my sister, my aunt, and my cousin. We stayed at the Marriot Marquis in Times Square. This picture was taken from my view at the 16th floor which is the floor my room was on. Get it? Sweet 16? 16th floor? Ey, I thought it was pretty funny. Maybe not. This time was different than my last because we spent more time in downtown Times Square. I visited Forever 21 (which was 3 floors!) and the m&m store. The m&m store was pretty impressive considering they had ever m&m color you could every think of. The most impressive store had to be Toys R Us though. There was 3 floors (I think?). THEY ALSO HAVE A FERRIS WHEEL IN THE STORE! Like what?! I may or may not have rode it 4 times. Not saying.





This photo was taken in Central Park. Do you recognize the water fountain?! If you were a fan of the show Friends, this was the exact fountain that was in the opening credits. Just a fun fact for you :) At this point during my trip, we took a carriage ride around Central Park for a tour. Now, don't kid yourself. It was not a horse that took us around. Nope. It was a man riding his bike. Still fun, though. We were able to see all the exciting places where certain movie scenes took place. That was fun to see. We even got to see a wedding. The bride and groom were taking pictures underneath a bridge. If you have seen the movie Enchanted, remember the scene where Giselle danced to How Does She Know That You Love Her?! Well, the wedding pictures were around that area. Just another fun fact for you.

 Don't be fooled! This isn't really Kim Kardashian or Whoopi Goldberg. We visited the famous Wax Museum where we were able to see many celebrities. Some we saw were: Justin Bieber, Carrie Underwood, Michael Jackson, Leonardo DiCaprio, President Obama, Angelina Jolie, Brad Pitt, and many more!

Do you know who she is?!?! Her name is Dylan Dreyer. On Sunday morning, we woke up extra early to see her on the Today Show. She was extremely nice in person and asked me about myself and wished me a happy birthday! This picture was actually taken by my sister while she was talking with me. She helped us get on TV! We also saw Jenna Wolfe but she wouldn't come over to talk or for pictures. Boo :(










Well, as you can see, I had a great time! It was definitely was of the most memorable birthdays of my life. You'll notice in the picture below, I'm wearing a tiara. My cousin bought it for me for the weekend and I felt bad not wearing it! Thanks for reading! Talk soon!

P.S. Here are a couple more pictures I thought you might like to see! And yes, the cowboy is naked. Weird right?!?!

My first Post (:

Hello all! My name is Caitlin D'Amato. I am a junior at Boston Latin Academy. I'm 17 years old and I am obsessed with trying new things. My aunt is a big traveler and has been to all different places such as South Africa, Australia, St. John's, etc. When she has visited these places, she has always brought my sister and I souvenir's from these places. Every time she comes back from a place with a souvenir, I become more curious of the different places she has visited. Since I am going off to college in two years, I wanted to create a blog of all the different places I would like to travel in my life. Then when I arrive back from these places, I can share all my experiences with all of you!

Back in the 8th grade, I had an English teacher, Ms. Marshall. For those of you who attend BLA, you know her. She has a blog allaroundtheworld.com where she blogs about all her different travels. Her blog, along with all my aunt's adventures, has inspired me to create this blog! When I am in college, I plan to study abroad for a semester so I wanted to start my research early of what places I would consider going to. I have always been interested in learning about different cultures and travelling to different places, even if it is a different part of Massachusetts!

In the photos above, I am with my cousin (left) and my sister (right). These pictures were taken about a year and a half apart, the picture of me and my cousin on the left being the older one. These pictures were taken at Revere Beach. Most of my family lives in Revere so it is like a second home to me. The three of us enjoy going on adventures together. This blog will also consist of the places I have traveled to. It will also consist of who I travel with because the people you travel with are extremely important to me. I enjoy sharing my experiences with others. My goal with this blog is to inspire you all to travel and live every moment like it's your last.

And the journey begins.....