Pioveva Sempre

I think for the last 2 and a half weeks, today (tuesday, may 18th) has been the only completely sunny day. It was a miracle!

I am sorry for my slow pace in getting up my weekend blog updates. We've been getting swarmed with work, and we are realizing we are running out of time here in Firenze, so the last thing I want to be doing is spending a lot of time updating my journal, pasting my receipts and tickets in, and blogging online. But I've managed to climb into bed a little early tonight, and I am content with writing my Roman experiences of this past weekend.

Last monday and tuesday all of our teachers decided to dump boatloads of work on us, so the first half of the week went by trying to get as much work done as possible. For photography we were told to start our final projects, which would be on a topic of our choice. I decided that I would try and put in the effort to make my project "Waking up in Italy". This idea consisted of taking photographs of the skyline in the morning and trying to capture Italians in their daily morning routines, getting coffee, reading the paper, setting up shop, baking etc. This proved to be harder than I had thought when both tuesday and wednesday I couldn't pull myself out of bed in time to catch the city waking up. What also didn't help was the groggy, rainy mornings, its been difficult getting up when there is no sun to entice you!



Anyways, despite all the rain, and the negativity from most of the group, I realized that it was week 7, which meant only 3 weeks left in gorgeous Florence with my amazing host family, and then I realized it was only bad weather. Bad weather in a great city, why are people so upset? We were still in Florence weren't we?

Walking home wednesday afternoon I got caught in a torrential downpour about 15 minutes away from home. More rain, it was normal at that point so strangely I found myself smiling widely getting drenched walking home and I loved every second of it. From then on I have found myself walking around with a giddy smile on my face because why wouldn't I? I was spending 10 weeks in Florence, one of the most beautiful cities in the world, if only I could get the rest of my classmates to realize that and appreciate both the amazing and not so amazing things of the city!

We went to Gelateria de' Medici a few times that week, meeting up with various people, trying various flavors. We obviously had amazing dinners made by Claudia, and the whole week we had Roma in our minds because we would be heading there with the class and Mauro early Friday morning. Secretly I hoped the rain would stop in Roma, because obviously things are that much better when its sunny, but even if it did rain I wasn't going to let that spoil the weekend.

Friday morning we woke up at 5:45, ate a quick breakfast and took bus 4 to SMN, we arrived in plenty of time, boarded the train with the class and relaxed until we arrived at Stazione Termini. I was very excited, especially because the entire train ride had been through rolling NOT RAINY tuscany! I was confident the skies would behave for us (at least for a little), so I wouldn't have to hear the constant complaints about the weather.

Lucky I was... When we arrived we immediately went to our hotel and checked in. Hotel Mariano behind Termini, pretty close to Santa Maria Maggiore, and definitely in a not so great part of town, very ethnic, chinese restaurants every few yards, but I was content. The rooms were nice and the continental breakfast that was included was very well stocked. Mauro gave us a half hour to go find coffee and rejuvenate before we started the real day, and thank god he had because I don't know if I would have been able to make it.


At 10:45 we started our Mauro weekend. Our first stop Santa Maria Maggiore. Our group failed at walking at the pace of Mauro, I always felt bad we were so slow so I was always the first two people behind him, which was probably 15 or so feet behind him because his little legs walk so damn quickly (I don't know how he does it). We learned about the Santa Maria Maggiore, its architectural wonders, its main artworks and chapels, Michelangelo's Cappela Sforza, (that were of course under restoration, so unable to be seen) and its importance as one of the first 4 basilicas in Roma, connected directly with the other 3 by major roads.

After Santa Maria Maggiore we went to a much smaller church a few streets down named Santa Prassede. This Basilica was much smaller, but just as beautiful as others we had visited. Inside its side chapel it held the relic of the Column of Flagellation, a piece of the column where christ was thought to be flagellated on. Incredible detail in all of the artwork and of the marble floor, and incredible windows making the perfect lighting for the Basilica.





Next stop: San Pietro in Vincoli housing the relic of St. Peter's Chains. Also Michelangelo's last version of the tomb for Pope Julius II. Moses, Rachel and Leah also within the Basilica. No stopping now! Almost noon, off to the Colosseum, quick 25 minute lunch break, ate a terrible panini because of how close we were to the Colosseum, then began our colossal tour! Having Mauro with us in the Colosseum and the churchs of Roma made me realize how much more you can appreciate and enjoy the artwork when you have background knowledge and significance, especially when its coming from a very little and animated Italian man. The Colosseum was of course GREAT, everybody enjoyed being in there and it was the first time I had seen the 95% of the class content with the present situation. We had free time to roam the greatest ruin of Roma and then we were off to the Foro Romana.



We were lead to the exit of the Foro Romana and had to walk around the perimeter to find the right entrance. It was nearing 3:00 and we were running out of time, so Mauro embarked on his mission of speaking quickly, walking quickly and only naming important sights (which is everything so that didn't really cut out time haha). We explored Ceasar's palaceon top of Palatino hill, inside the Roman Forom, we saw the Triumphal Arch of Settimius Severus, Basilica Giulia, and inside the Imperial Foro we saw the Trajan Basilica which was so huge and heavy it was obvious to us how its collapse had happened and we saw the political building of the forum.



Nearing 5:00 we were told we would have an hour break before we met up at the Quirinale to see the Caravaggio exhibit. We thought it was a pointless time to have a break so we suggested we go straight to the Caravaggio and Mauro thought that was a great idea because he was pooped and didn't wanna wait any longer either. On our way we walked past a photography gallery, lucky for us Benjamin wanted to stop and waste our hour of free time with the photography exhibit where I found a photograph with a younger version of me, and we still didn't end up getting to the Caravaggio exhibit until 6:00, so our great plan of finishing an hour early was spoiled.



The line at the Caravaggio exhibit didn't appear to be too long, but boy were we wrong. Luckily the rain had held off all day until we made it under the tented portion of the line, an hour into waiting. Everyone was starting to get delusional from being so tired, not thrilled to hear we would have to wait in line for at least an hour and 45 minutes, and to know that when we exited the exhibit to find dinner we would be in cold torrential rains, which had started as we entered the covered portion of the line.

I wasn't the happiest camper waiting in line, but I didn't complain, only to my mom when she called me while I was waiting in line, and then because she was so jealous I was about to go see the exhibit I put my tiredness behind and prepared to see what Marana and my mom always got SO excited to go see and to hear about other people going to see his art. Finally when we entered the museum two hours later, around 8:15, I was not disappointed. I had never got to see a collection of Caravaggio's works, only sporadic ones placed in churches, and before this trip I never really appreciated art. Now when I was staring at 23 of Caravaggio's canvases I realized how incredible of an artist he was, and why Marana and my mom drooled over his work. I was not at all upset we had to wait in a two hour line, although a reservation for the group would have been preferred, and I would have been able to focus more of my attention on the artwork if we weren't so tired from a full day of Mauro, but it was okay because I still appreciated his work SO much!

After the exhibit we ventured out into the rain in little groups to find restaurants. Boy were we hungry! We found a restaurant on the way back to our hotel, not the greatest, but the right price. We sat down, got water wine, bruschetta, and Phil and I split a Pizza Capriciosa (had an egg in the middle it was SO good) and a plate of Carbonara (which was just okay), but I was content to be sitting and in good company. There were not complaints at dinner, and we had a wonderful time getting soaked on the way home trying to figure out where the hotel was. I refused to take a cab, and I made everyone walk right behind me through the rain. It was entertaining! When we finally arrived I was so psyched to hop into bed and immediately fall asleep, and I was thrilled our meeting time in the morning was generously 9:50 (Mauro was more lenient than my mom! I would've been up at 8:30 with her!).

Day 2: Roma

Breakfast at the hotel, pretty delicious, although students weren't allowed to order cappuccinos, only professor and wife, so I settle for tea, wasn't a problem. Met Mauro at 9:50, left the hotel by 10:00 and made our first stop at Basilica di Santa Maria degli Angeli, a large, immense church situated right on Piazza della Repubblica. It was already raining which was a little bit of a disappointment but it was fine. Maruo was tired and we were moving quickly today! After we headed to Santa Maria della Vittoria, where all the art history nerds were psyched because Bernini's L'Estasi di santa Teresa d'Avila. Won't lie it was pretty impressive. Moving quickly on we stopped at Chiesa di San Carlo alle Quattro Fontane, beautiful little church, peculiar because of its elliptical plan and oval dome. After that we stopped in another Bernini church Sant'Andrea al Quirinale where we walked in on a wedding ceremony (MA, I PHOTOGRAPHED THE BRIDE!!!).



Moving on from there we walked briefly past the Fontana di Trevi, Mauro wouldn't let us stop, just walked past it so the class couldn't complain he didn't take them there! Then past the Pantheon, past Sant'Eustachio (Mauro was impressed I knew it had the best coffee), into Chiesa di San Luigi dei Francesi where two Caravaggios remained on the walls of a chapel.



We were slowly seeing 80% of Caravaggio's works that weekend. From there we went to Piazza Navona where he let us free for 45 minutes to have lunch then meet back at the Pantheon to go inside it.



Sam and I walked to Campo dei Fiori to find a place where we had eaten a delicious salad before. We rushed there in the pourring rain, enjoyed splitting a massive salad with corn, tomatoes, and mozzarella and then we got a piece of pizza to go ready to meet up with the group at the Pantheon at 1:00. Mauro gave us a talk about the history of the Pantheon as a Pagan church and then of its architecture and how it had been transformed. Then around 2:00 we started heading toward Villa Borghese which would be our last stop with Mauro and then we would be free for the rest of our time in Roma.

At 3:00 we entered the Galleria Borghese, I remembering how my mom had gotten squirted with a water gun by a little boy outside, and how me and my friends had posed in the garden with my dad, becoming Charlie's Angels. Great times! Mauro took us through the Gallery, not spending too much time in any room, and giving us the perfect amount of details on the contents of the museum. There were so many spectacular sculptures by Bernini which were absolutely beautiful, and so many other great pieces of art by the most prestigious Italian artists and their followers. By 4:45 we were free to go!

We walked back in small groups, my group stopping at a supermarket to by some snacks to indulge on in the hotel before we went out to dinner. We took naps, got ready and hung out in our rooms for a little, relaxing, enjoying each others company and then we went off to the Jewish ghetto and back to Il Portico where we knew we would find the best food for the best price. We had a delightful dinner with for 12 people. Only had to wait 20 minutes. Everyone was so psyched we had brought them there, I think only two people had to pay more than 12 euros for more than enough food, me being one of them because I got the Carciofi pasta special! It was well worth the extra 3 euro!

After dinner half of the group went back to the hotel (those who were waking up at 8:00 to go to the Vatican) and the other half went out to Campo dei Fiori to check out the night life. It was a great night, and lots of fun was had!

Day 3: Roma

Woke up around 9:30, went down and got breakfast, showered packed up and put our stuff in the holding room downstairs where we were told we could leave our things while we explored Roma on our final day. Guess what!? IT WASN'T RAINING! By 11:00 we had checked out, and were on our way to Piazza del Popolo to see the final Caravaggio resting in one of Santa Maria del Popolo's chapels.



In the Piazza there was a strange Polizia presentation going on for children and others. They were demonstrating the strength of their attack dogs and how well they were trained, (it was a little scary) and they had Polizia cars, choppers, bikes etc on display in the piazza. We hung around there for a little bit watching then we went into the Church. We only got a quick glance at Caravaggio's painting before we were ushered out on account of a mass beginning. From there we walked to the Vatican, I was the tour leader, showed people around. From the Vatican I made people come to Cafe San'Eustachio with me where I finally got my Cappuccino, that was SOOO good, the place was packed so we got to take our coffees to the curb and sit in the sun.


Finally, we headed back to the hotel around 4, we grabbed some food, ate outside and then waited for the group to arrive and head to the train station. The train ride back was peaceful through the country side, and the sky was doing the most interesting things it was so beautiful. Everyone was content with finally being able to relax, we were always on the go in Roma, and returning to our homes in Firenze was looking very enticing. We finally arrived home around 9:30 where the dinner left for us was a can of sweet corn (because Claudia knows how much Sam likes sweet corn) and two frozen pizzas in the freezer. Luckily we weren't hungry, so we split the can of corn, unpacked and then fell asleep FAST!

Great weekend in Roma, I still haven't gotten enough of it, and I am excited to head back with Suzanne, Alex, Bill, Jacob and Jeff. It's going to be a great time everytime I'm there... how could it not be? After all its Roma!

Costa Amalfitana questo fine settimana! A dopo!

Torino con Serena!

All week I was a little anxious to finally be leaving for Torino on thursday to go visit Serena who I hadn't seen since 9th grade, and I was nervous to be completely surround by all all Italians for the weekend. I don't know why I was nervous, because it ended up being an amazing weekend!

Thursday I went to Photography class with all of my things ready to bring to Torino. I had a little difficulty escaping from class a few minutes early in order to make it to SMN in time to catch my train. It wasn't a problem though, I was there in plenty of time and as I checked the board the train was going to be 5 minutes late anyways, so I strolled around the station waiting for the train to arrive. They were pretty precise about the 5 minute delay, because the train ended up leaving the station exactly 5 minutes after it was scheduled to leave, not too bad I thought.

On the train ride I read and slept, only getting a little nervous about spending the weekend with Serena. As the train approached Porta Nuova in Torino, I gathered my things and waited for the train to stop at the platform where I would hop out and scan the crowd for Serena who was supposedly waiting. She wasn't on the platform where the train had arrived, but I walked toward the main doors of the train station and surely enough there she was standing, and scanning the crowd for me with her boyfriend. I approached them from the side so they didn't really notice me, but as I tapped her on the shoulder and said her name she turned around and gave me two big kisses and introduced me to her boyfriend Alessandro. We walked toward the underground tram that would take us to her house outside of the city, and she explained everything she had planned for the weekend, how we would be going to the disco that night, and how she was so thrilled for me to finally be there with her. She made me feel so honored and I was so happy to make her really happy as well!


So we took the tram and then got in Alessandro's car and arrived at her apartment 40 minutes later. Gaetano and 4 pizzas were waiting there to greet me. We greeted each other then sat down to dinner, each to his own pizza. I had a regular margherita, and it was delicious! After dinner Alessandro waited for Serena and I to get dressed and made up and by 9:45 we were off to the disco.

We arrived way too early and had to wait until 11 to be let in because Italians are never out before then, but we had to go early because Serena had class at 8:30 the next day. The first half our in the disco it was empty, and I could already tell that I would be the only american in the building even if it did fill up. By 12, the place was PACKED! And as I presumed, only with Italians... Soon every third person in the discoteca was smoking a cigarette, and people started dancing. The dance floor was packed, they played a few english songs, but then the rest were italian and the DJ was entertaining in Italian. It was a true Italian experience. We danced for a while, left by 2 and were home by 3, excited to wake up at 7 to go to the University! As I took my clothes off I was shocked when I realized that my dress REEKED of smoke and there was nothing I could do about it but tie it up in a plastic bag and shove it in the bottom of my back pack. It was gross!



So Friday we woke up at 7, took an hour long bus ride to get to her univeristy that was right across from the Olympic stadium, COOL! I attended law class with her, only dozing off a few times. I got to meet a few of her friends who were really excited to speak english. One bought me a coffee, very nice people. And one had studied in Utah for ten months so his English was very very good!



After class we went back home to make lunch and take a nap before going out to see some museums. For lunch Serena heated up the left over pizza and made a pasta with vegetables and I cut up strawberries that we ate with whip cream for dessert. I slept until 3 by accident, then we rushed in centro to make sure we had time to see the museums she wanted us to see. The center of Torino was gorgeous (even in the rain) and very different than Florence. We went to the church where the Shroud of Turin was on display, and gazed at it for a few minutes then left to go meet up with Erika, one of Serena's friends. We chatted with Erika for a little while in a Piazza, she spoke English beautiful and was really excited she could speak with me, then we all headed toward the famed Museo di Egizio of Torino. The largest Egyptian museum in the world, next to the one that is in Cairo. It was a cool museum, i really only enjoyed the mummies and the large statues, but it was definitely worth the 3 euro.





After the Egizio we rushed out so we could get to the Museo del Cinema before it closed at 8. On our way we walked past Grom Gelatera and Serena and I got gelatos for our Merenda! Grom is truly a great gelateria, and I learned that it was apparently started in Torino, so I got to eat it in its original location!

Licking our gelatos, we slowly walked toward the Mole Antonelliana which houses the Museo del Cinema. This museum was more expensive than the Egizio, but was by far 100x cooler. It was interactive and had a lot of interesting content on movies I had seen and actors I knew of, and everything is always more interesting when you have a little background, so I really enjoyed myself in that museum. If only we had more time because we only got to see two of the four floors before getting kicked out because it closed at 8, and 8 o'clock came very quickly!



When we exited the Mole Antonelliana we went to a Piadineria across the road so that Erika could grab a bite to eat because she wasn't able to have gelato before because of stomach issues. We chatted a while then walked back toward Via Roma where we were to meet up with another of Serena's friends Adina who was supposedly beautiful. And that she was! Beautiful and so nice, we all went to a bar down the road that was very well known and we were able to have an aperativo buffet and drink for only 8 euros. So I got myself a plate full of cheeses, crostini, olives etc, and had a delicious margherita, then had a fun time telling the girls what American Universities were like! They were sooo nice, I had a great time!


After we had our drinks and finished eating, we met up with Erika's boyfriend and his group of friends. They wanted to find a hookah bar, so we went off in search of one they thought they remembered. On the way we ran into a clothing store that was till open at 11:00! So we HAD to go in! All the girls rushed in, I was freezing cause I didn't bring the right clothes for the much more northern city of Torino, so I bought a nice grey scarf for 5 euros, I got the same on as Adina and Serena bought the same one but in white. That store was smart to be the only one open at that hour, I'm sure they got a lot of business!

We asked directions from the cashier for where the nearest hookah bar was, and soon enough we had our purchases and we were off in pursuit of the bar. We found the bar probably 5 minutes later and were very happy to go into the crowded room and stay away from the cold outside. We got tea and hookah for 5 euro a piece, it was a fun time. Adina, Serena and Erika constantly keeping me in the conversation, it was very nice! By 12:30 we were DEAD TIRED, so we walked to the bust stop with Adina and waited for number 101 to come. It finally came around 1:10, we were so tired I kept nodding off on the bus, and we finally arrived back at her home a little before 2:00. I brushed my teeth and immediately climbed into bed, a bed has never felt so good, I swear. I was beyond tired it was ridiculous.

Saturday we woke up around 10, I ate a little breakfast then we headed for the center and stopped near Porta Nuova to get lunch before heading to the Venaria Reale (a palace on the outskirts of Torino). Serena was craving chinese food, so we walked around a found a precious little chinese restaurant where I ordered chicken with almonds and white rice, for under 6 euro, it was a nice change from the constant Italian food I'd been eating, and it was an inexpensive choice too, so I was content with satisfying her chinese food craving with her.


After lunch we went to find the bus that would take us to the gorgeous Venaria Real. Once again it was a 40 minute bus ride where I was dozing in and out. Luckily when we arrived the sun was peaking through the clouds and it was turning out to be a relatively nice day. We bought tickets for the Garden and the Palace. We went to the Gardens first, in fear that if we went into the Palace it would be raining by the time we exited. The gardens were beautiful, but Serena was disappointed because she had hoped to see more flowers in bloom. It was mainly a garden filled with green bushes, it was beautiful, but a little color here and there would have made it even more magnificent!



We walked through the grounds and then into the Palace. I won't lie, I found the building itself much more beautiful than any of the art work that was housed inside, but it was a beautiful place and I was glad she took me to see it.

Nearing 4 o'clock we were so tired, and needed to get back because Alessandro was picking us up at 7:30 to take us to his friends birthday party dinner at a restaurant in the center. As we exited the palace and walked back toward the bus stop, we stopped at this place called Yo Yogurt, which I had seen before in Lucca, but it had been closed, and I told her I had to go in and try it. It was a frozen yogurt place that you could choose to put almost any toppings on, so for two euro I got a cone first filled with warm nutella, then yogurt was added, then strawberries and then more nutella. It was pretty darn delicious, and the perfect afternoon pick me up!



On the bus ride home I obviously was dozing off, the guy sitting across from me made fun of me and told me to watch my bag. He was nice, I was a little embarrassed cause I was trying so hard to keep my eyes open but I literally did not have the energy to. It was not a good state to be in!

We arrived home around 7, because I made us stop at Porta Nuova so I could buy my return ticket home and there was a long line to get tickets. So there was no way Serena would be ready by 7:30, but we got ready as quickly as we could. Ale came a little before 8. Serena was still getting ready. I got to spend a little time with Gaetano as he showed me some of his pictures from an island he had recently been to. We were finally in the car by 8:30 and arrived and parked and showed up at the restaurant "Pizze e Cozze" around 9:30(late). Serena was glad I was with her because she didn't know any of his friends, so we both were awkwardly thrown into the situation. It ended up being quite alright though! Serena ordered my food for me, she got me an oyster and Pizze e Cozze (a pizza piled high with mussels and had a few calamari beneath). I was shocked when it arrived in front of me because I was a little unsure of what she had ordered for me, but it was all part of the experience! It was a little weird to eat fish on pizza, but it really wasn't terrible, and the oyster was quite delicious too!

We were really tired after singing tanti auguri and eating pastries, too tired to go out dancing with the birthday crew, so we said our good nights, kissed everyone then headed back to the car. I got to ride shot gun because they wanted to drive me through a beautiful piazza. The piazza they showed me which I forget the name was so beautiful and there were massive amounts of people roaming around through out it. After we passed it, I immediately fell asleep in the front seat, who knows why I was so tired, but I was so grateful to arrive back at the apartment and be able to sleep in the next morning before heading back to Firenze.

We slept till 10, be woken up by a call from her grandma who was on her way over to bring us breakfast. Breakfast being a vat of gelato! I had never eaten gelato for breakfast, so I really tried a lot of new things in Torino. It was kinda nice waking up to gelato, I certainly didn't have any complaints! After her grandma fed us gelato, she headed out, Serena started making lunch so we could eat before she brought me to the train station and I started packing up my things and getting ready to leave.


I was actually really sad to leave Serena, she was always alone in her house cause her dad is always working or running a marathon, so she enjoyed having me there and I was kind of like her sister for the weekend. I was glad I got to spend time with her and I hope that I will have the opportunity to go back to Torino when the weather will be a little nicer, or that Serena can come hang out with me at Union College!

Overall a great weekend filled with new things:

Discoteca
Hookah Bar
Oysters
Pizze e Cozze
Gelato per Colazione.

SUCCESS!

a dopo!

Il Primo di Maggio, tutto e CHIUSO

The past week was probably the best thusfar, despite it being midterm week. The weather was gorgeous all week, Gustapanino was back open and the only homework we had was to write a paper and study for our Italian midterm.

Monday: Italian and Photo Class
Lunch: Gusta
Dinner: Small Plate of Pasta w/ red eggplant sauce. Zucchini and Marscapone Fritatta. Milka Chocolate Bar.
Highlights: Getting an I <3 Gustapanino Sticker!

Tuesday: Italian and Mauro
Lunch: Gusta, Gelato from Santa Trinita (Stratciatella and Cookies)
Dinner: Guests tonight! Walked in the kitchen right as 2 ladies and Claudia were popping the SPUMANTE! Animated dinner. Dish of Raw Artichokes and Avocado in Lemon and Oil sauce. Cooked veggie mix on couscous. Vegetarian "Saetan" creation. Delicious.
Highlights: Maura being 20 minutes late, class getting to enjoy the 80 degree weather in front of San Lorenzo and met up with Greg from Wayland and went to Twice, a club where lots of dancing was going on.

Wednesday: Two hours of Italian (1 make up hour)
Lunch: Gusta (can't get enough!)
Dinner: Left out by Claudia was Linguine with a creamy sauce, Grilled prosciuto and cheese (literally). Melted chocolate chips we found into the leftover rice pudding type cake we had the night before.
Highlights: Stayed at Eurocentres from 12-6 studying for the midterm. Wrote 75% of Turner paper.

Thursday: Italian and Photo
Lunch: Gusta (No crudo today b/c I got a HUGE charlie horse in the middle of the night from what we believe was high salt intake and dehydration, not fun!)
Dinner: Steamed artichokes with pancetta and oil. Cooked Zucchini concoction with Faro. Cooked eggplant concoction with Couscous. Red wine because Claudia had another dinner guest! (we only get wine when guests come)
Highlights: Seeing a slideshow of Professors photographs, very impressive. Thinking the italian midterm was PRETTY easy. The Faro :o) NOM NOM NOM. We also discovered Paperback Exchange, a bookstore that buys back, makes exchanges and sells english books for very cheap. We love reading here so it was a nice find!

Friday: Italian, La Notte Bianca, 85 degrees and SUNNY, no chance of Rain.

Went to class, where half of both classes were gone do to weekend travel to Munich. Read an intersting and 80% truthful article Francesca printed out for us in Italian about drunk Americans in Firenze.

Gusta Panino, derrr. Then we went to this place recently discovered called Mama's Bakery, which is an american bakery a block away from school that sells bagels, brownies, muffins, cupcakes, and other non italian delicacies. People have been craving american food recently so a few cupcakes were bought and shared. Then as we made plans for what we were going to do that night for the Notte Bianca we decided we also needed Gelato b/c American cupcakes just really can't be compared to anything Italian which we realized again. It was nice to have a taste of home though. So Hannah and Alison took us to their favorite Gelateria, La Carraia, which is just on the corner near the other bridge, not Ponte Trinita. I had Stratciatella and Fondente, and I agreed that La Carraia was one of the better gelaterias, huge amount for 1.50 and great taste. I now prefer La Carraia to Santa Trinita which is many people's favorite. As we ate our melting Gelato quickly we decided that we would picnic that night in the Cascine park, I was to meet Alex and Dan outside the horticulteral garden in our neighborhood at 5:30 to go find a supermercato and meet everyone at Cascine at 6.

Went back home around 2, finished up my Turner paper so I would be work free until Tuesday, took a long nap then rushed to meet the boys. We started walking toward Cascine not finding a supermarket anywhere, so we ended up having to go past the park, making us very late, but we asked someone where a supermarket was and we were able to buy two loaves of whole grain freshly baked bread, an etto (?Mom?) of mortadella, little roasted chickens, two hunks of cheese (provolone and brie) two giant bottles of red table wine, 1.5 liters of water, a gatorade, a tea and a carton of strawberries for 18 and some change. It was quite the bargain for a wonderfully planned picnic.

We ate, relaxed and had a wonderful time sitting on a grassy patch inside the cascine. Around 9 everyone met us who had eaten with their host families and we headed toward SMN and in town to see what was going on in the Piazzas for La Notte Bianca. When we arrived you could tell the atmosphere was different. Usually there are a ton of people in centro every night, but tonight there were MASSIVE AMOUNTS OF PEOPLE. There were stages set up at SMN and Piazza della Republicca. Music was playing, street preformers were out. I got to try and blow out a clown's torch that he had done a juggling act with. My small lung capacity was not match for the lit torch that was probably heavily soaked in lighter fluid, but i'm sure it was entertaining trying to watch me blow it out. Around 12 we were craving ice cream, and I mean ice cream, not Gelato. We had walked past Ben & Jerry's and the smell that emanated was just SO good we had to get some. I felt a little guilt, but when it was only 2.50 for a huge cone with two different flavors I didn't think it was too bad. And I just can't help but love chocolate chip cookie dough and chocolate fudge brownie, so it was worth it! After we all wolfed down our ice cream, we headed our separate ways very tiredly and preparing to wake up early to catch the train to Certaldo where we would be staying Saturday night.

Saturday: Primo di Maggio

Woke up at 8:00, ate breakfast (yogurt with a few cocoa krispies, yum) then caught a bus at 8:50 to get to SMN. Half way there I realized I forgot my train ticket, I contemplated getting off the bus, but I knew I wouldn't be able to make it back in time to catch the train to Certaldo at 9:27, so 4.20 euro went down the drain... Met everyone at the station, got a new ticket, validated it, found the right track number then got on the train headed towards Empoli where we would for some reason have to get off and take a bus to get to Certaldo. When we arrived in Empoli we were tempted to stay because there was a large fest with music and balloons going on right outside the train station, but we had told the hotel to pick us up at 11:00, so we got on the bus to arrive at Certaldo station at 11:00.

When we arrived we waited no less than 5 minutes for the hotel car to arrive. We had to take 3 separate cars to all fit because their van had broken down, but it wasn’t a problem and we arrived at Fattoria Bassetto within 10 minutes from when we arrived in Certaldo.



We checked in and explored the premises, put our bags in our rooms, checked out the bathroom (which had a great view when sitting on the toilette), explored the cabinets of the kitchen and then walked around the outside and then decided to walk to Certaldo. Took us about 25 minutes to walk to the top of the hill where Certaldo Alto sat. The vista from the city was absolutely gorgeous, and the tiny enotecas placed sporadically down the main drag added to the quaint effect of the small hill town. We explored every corner of the tiny town, walked down a small ally where I noticed a delicious smell was coming from and we stumbled upon a gorgeous restaurant with a terrace that had primo piatti for under 9 euro. As a table 8 out of 10 of us ordered the Spinach Ravioli filled with ricotta and spinach and covered in a creamy oil and sage sauce. We only got 3 large raviolios, but it was fine because it made us savor the taste. We also drank 8 bottles of water and a few people got delicious looking contornis and bruschetta.


After lunch we walked through the town one more time, then decided we would go down into the more modern Certaldo and find a supermarket where we could buy ingredients for our dinner back at Fattoria Bassetto. We searched the entire town only to be disappointed by every new road we walked down because all of the doors were closed and EVERYTHING was closed. We knew holidays were important to the italians, but we were unaware of what Primo Di Maggio (labor day) meant. The only thing we could find open was a Gelateria, so we had some gelato as we contemplated what our choices were for that nights dinner. We realized we would have to walk back up and dine in another restaurant in Certaldo Alto because that is where the only stores and restaurants were open. After talking for a little while, people started remembering seeing pasta and cold cuts here and there, so Anna and I were nominated to hike back up the hill and find the right complements to make a meal.



We found a small shop where wine and a few other products were being sold. We explained to the storekeeper that we were in a bind because of it being Primo di Maggio and everything was closed, we wanted to picnic and we were on a budget. The store keeper immediately said that he would be more than happy to help, started listing things that we would need to have a good dinner and knocked the price of his cheapest 8euro wine, to 5 euro. We bought 3 bottles of his uncle's Chianti for 15 euro total, bought a large Salami for 15 euro, got a small chunk of pecorino for free, and spent 10 euro on another large hunk of pecorino and foccacia.

Although the guy at the first store helped us out greatly we still didn't have any pasta, so we had to go back to the main street of Certaldo Alto and continue the search for the perfect ingredients. We found an enoteca where they were selling lots of home made pasta, we bought 3 bags of a colorful home made pasta for 4.20 euro each, and spied a large bottle of white wine in their cooler that didn't appear for sale but we inquired anyways. The vino bianco was 4 euro so we bought two bottles of that along with the pasta, held off on the sauce because it was very expensive and we figured we could just make a butter and herb sauce with things that were already at Fattoria Bassetto. We took our purchases quite satisfied and started our hike back down the rocky terrain toward Fattoria Bassetto carrying 5 bottles of wine, 3 pounds of pasta, 2 hunks of cheese, a log of salami and a bag of foccacia, SUCCESS!

When we got back we relaxed for a while, played some cards and read outside, we took 25 minutes cat naps then started to prepare the dinner for 10. A little hesitant about how to make a pasta sauce with the ingredients we had, we picked 3 different kinds of herbs from the herb garden, one being chives for sure, the rest unknown (possibly oregano and rosemary). Avery and Phil started helping us out with the sauce while we boiled the pasta. We ended up having quite the fun adding half a bottle of white wine into the skillet, sautéing the herbs and then adding butter to the concoction along with salt and pepper to create one of the most interesting and best tasting sauces Italy has ever seen (NOT). But it really wasn't that bad, especially since we were hungry! We cut the cheese and salami, set the table, set the bowls of pasta out, opened the wine, sat down to dinner, made a toast and started inhaling the food that we worked so hard to prepare. It was a great dinner with great company, filled with lots of laughter and no regrets that we were missing Union College's Springfest back home. I think being at a Villa in Tuscany is going to top my first springfest experience and will tromp the ones to come as well!



After we finished our large feast we all just hung around outside for a while chatting and taking photographs. We we're a little lame and went to bed before midnight, but we were all perfectly content with the happenings of the day.

Sunday morning we woke up to the pitter patter of rain on the roof... great. Obviously it wanted to rain while we were in Siena for the second time, so we rearranged our plans and decided we would go walk through San Gimignano quickly, so we checked out at 11, arrived at the train station to figure out how to get there. We had to take a train to Poggibonsi then take a bus from Poggibonsi to San Gimignano, then to return to florence we would take a bus back to Poggibonsi then get a train to Florence. We waited an hour for a train to Poggibonsi, when we arrived we realized we had to wait another hour and a half to get the bus for San Gimignano, then we realized once we got there that we didn't know what times we would be able to get back with the stupid holiday bus and train time tables, so we walked around Poggibonsi trying to find SOMETHING to do, there was nothing because it was Sunday and a Holiday... double whammy, so we got on the next train back to FLorence a little bummed that the rain could control how much fun we had.

But we weren't disappointed with the weekend at all, it was definitely a very fun time. When we got back to Florence we all went to get a bite to eat together. I walked home in the rain, got soaking wet and was glad to be back at home to take a hot shower. Claudia left me floured chicken and steamed veggies for dinner, it was nice to have the house to myself for a relaxing sunday dinner, I watched a little television then went to bed!

Story Of Our Lives...

Siena e Chianti

Venerdi noi siamo svegliate e pioveva. Friday we woke up and it was raining. A rather large bummer because we were headed to Siena with our class for the day to learn about the architectural structures in the beautiful city. Mauro came with us, and immediately escorted us to a cafe called A. Nannini to get cappuccinos, pastries and to use the bathroom before we started our long day ahead. I don't want to admit it, but I got a small creme filled donut, and it was probably one of the better pastries I've ever tasted here, so 5 stars for A. Nannini, especially since they didn't force you to buy something if you needed to use the bathroom!


After our coffee break and refueling station we headed off to Piazza Del Duomo. There we go to go into the Museo dell'Opera del Duomo, the crypt, the baptistry and the cathedral. Inside the Museo, Mauro talked with us about Duccio's very famous panels that used to be inside the Cathedral. They were gorgeous, and so detailed. Here we learned about Siena as a city, and we also learned about the differences between Florentine and Sienese art, which we were able to see clearly after entering the Cathedral and comparing its interior to the Cathedral of Florence. Florence's Santa Maria del Fiore is BARE on the inside, with a a few monumental frescoes, where as Siena's Cathedral has not one bare wall, and is so intricate with every detail.


We also got to climb a section of a wall that was built to be an additional church in the Piazza, but they never actually completed it. Looking at the section of the wall which we were able to climb you could see the outline of a second church appearing. The central nave and two side aisle. What was finished was done in such detail, that there was not enough time for the completion of such a large project.



After we explored the Piazza del Duomo we had free time until we were to meet Maura at Piazza del Campo at 3:30. It was 2:00, so a few of us went to go find a cheap Pizza a Taglio place to eat. We found one that was sufficient after walking for 10-15 minutes. There I got a piece of Margherita for 1.40euro and a piece of pizza, that had two sides so it was closed, containing zucchini, mozzarella and prosciutto for 1.50. I had brought a water, so my lunch was only 2.90 euro to be VERY PIENO! After lunch we went back to A. Nannini to get a pick me up before Mauro's next lecture. I had a frothy delicious Cappuccino, and relaxed for a little bit until Acca wanted to fill his Gelato need. We walked around for a little, Acca and others got Gelato then we headed toward Piazza del Campo to meet Mauro and go into the Political Center.


We learned a lot inside the Political Center, it was very beautiful obviously. And we were free to return to Florence after he was done lecturing. I wish it hadn't been raining because I could have walked that city up and down multiple times because its just so beautiful. I had also wanted to go into the Church of San Domenico to see the relics of St. Catherine, but no one wanted to so we just went to the bus stop and headed back to florence!

While it took us an hour to get to Siena, it took us 2 hours to return to florence because of the traffic. By the time Sam and I got home we were so sick of sitting around in traffic, and we were hungry. Thank goodness Claudia was getting dinner ready for us, and the smell was keeping us alive! She made us a delicious soup that was perfect for the wet, cold day. And for dessert she made these little whole grain biscotti, using the ghiridelli chocolate chips I had brought for her. THEY WERE SOOO GOOD. And I got to eat as many as I wanted because they were "healthy!" No butter used at all, and whole wheat flour and grains! After dinner I was beat, so I watched New Moon in bed then fell fast asleep, preparing to wake up at 6:00am, to get to SMN by 7:30 to meet up with Tall Luca our Florence For Fun tour guide, who would be taking us to Chianti!

6:00am we woke up, got ready, ate breakfast and then went out to the bus stop nice and early because we had been having very bad luck with the number 4 bus arriving on time. It made us late ALL week! Well almost late, but gave me a LOT of anxiety, and I don't need anymore of that.



So the bus arrived on time... Figures. So we got to SMN 23 minutes early and just sat there waiting to see this "Tall Luca" who would be our tour guide. Around 7:30 we found him and the rest of our group who we thought would be students, but was actually a variety of different ages, which I was kinda happy about because older people are very entertaining (Zizi Linda).

We got on a bus as a group and headed to the small town of Greve in Chianti. There we stopped for coffee, pastries and the bathroom then we commenced on a steep hike up to the top of the small hill town. My legs were BURNING, but it was well worth the vista and the tiny little town atop the hill. We spent some time discussing grapes and wine, and the culture and work in Chianti then we headed back down to the base town where they took us to a very large and famous wine shop.


Inside there were so many different wines you could taste and it was set up so modernly. They had some sort of tap for each bottle of wine, which were placed 15 or 20 at a circular table, which there were about 6 or 7 of, then you could swipe a card that had money on it and it would pour you a glass of wine. Very cool! We had free time in the town for a little while, then we met back at the bus stop to take the bus up to Panzano where the real wine tasting at the Villa would occur.

We went to the Sassolini Family Villa, right in the center of the historic Panzano. Because of the wet ground our wine tasting and lunch was inside the villa at a large dining room table that looked out two large doors onto the front yard of the Villa. We obviously needed to use the bathroom right as we arrived, so Tall Luca pointed us in the right direction. Waiting outside the bathroom door the hallway was filled with old trinkets. There were two very large cabinets with probably 12 shelves each, shoved with perfectly aligned little toy soldiers. There must have been thousands of them in the cabinets. There were also bones of animals, and animal heads, and a suit of armor. So waiting in line for ten minutes for the bathroom wasn't a problem even though I had to go really bad, because the hall way was just so fascinating.


After the bathroom we got ourselves situated at the long table that fit the entire tour group, and we prepared our stomachs and our taste buds for the incoming wine and food. First served were crostini with olive oil that were simply delicious. They served us the first wine and then brought out bread and two platters of prosciutto and salami. The cold cuts were fantastic, I downed a few pieces and laid off the bread. They then served the next wine, and a vat of pasta al pesto. We all took as much as we could because we thought that was it for the lunch, and boy it was good. Thankfully, as they served the third wine they brought out another vat of pasta. The Villa owner and wine maker tried to describe the sauce and said it was made with Noce, good thing Sam and I had just had a lesson on kinds of nuts at the dinner table the night before, so we knew right away that it was a WALNUT SAUCE! This pasta was my favorite I had had all term. It was perfectly al dente, the walnut sauce was amazing, and the third wine complemented it very nicely.


We were a little tipsy and full after the third, in fear of the fourth wine to come we headed out to the garden to explore the front of the Villa and soak up a little bit of the sun. There was a green house stuffed with lemon and orange trees that Luca made me walk in to smell the intense aroma. It was the perfect relaxing afternoon with the right complement of food and wine.

I went back into the Villa and found all the older people of the group and started chatting with some of them. One of the men was a professor from George Mason here with 15 students and his wife and 10 month old baby girl Estella. She was so precious. It was rather entertaining because his wife was pretty drunk and was attempting to say whatever she could in Italian and was being very into it with her accent and hand motions, so it was quite entertaining as she imitated how she thought Tall Luca presented each of the bottles of wine and explained it.

While most people were still outside, the group inside inquired about the 4th wine, so he gave us all a try of that one. Which happened to be my favorite. Luca went out to find the others, slowly they all began to trickle back inside, and the wine producer took out the Vin Santo and Biscotti, not giving the 4th wine to the rest who were outside (I was lucky!). So naturally the Vin Santo was pretty bad, but the Biscotti was so good so I was fine just eating those. Then the Grappa came out. I took one whif and almost threw up so I found it wise to not try it. I let it touch the side of the shot glass and I licked that, and it was just awful. I can't imagine people actually drinking that daily after their dinner. YUCK!

After all of that we had the opportunity to buy his wine. I got a bottle of the 4th one because it was only 6 euro and was my favorite... I plan to bring it to Via Muto for all to try come June (if it fits in my luggage). Then we had free time for an hour to roam the town of Panzano.


Anna and I set off up the hill toward the church. We went past the famous butchery and went inside briefly, but we didn't see the famous butcher himself. We climbed toward the church, went inside then walked around the outskirts of the town, noticing that they were setting up for some kind of festa. I was a little jealous cause I have been missing the constant festas of the summer, but was reminded La Notte Bianca is friday so that will be a great festa and a little taste of the summer and whats to come!

Around 5 we headed back on the bus to Florence. Got home around 6:20 relaxed our legs and got excited for dinner. We had raw vegetables to dip in our oil and vinegar mixtures, fish and salad. And for dessert Claudia let us try some of her candied orange rinds that she had been putting tedious effort into the past two days. That woman is crazyyyyy, and a crazy good chef too!


Sam and I had originally wanted to go out, but no one else was so we decided against it and got a good nights sleep.

Sunday I woke up and walked to the Horticultural Garden where there was a flower market for the week. It was funny walking there and seeing all different kinds of people walking around with different large flower bushes through the city. I stayed there for a little while watching all the hustle and bustle then ran into Acca, and we both set off toward Palazzo Pitti.

We cut the huge long line at the Palazzo Pitti by going in the back entrance of the Boboli Gardens, thank god it was the last day of Free museum week. We walked throughout the palace, me looking for Caravaggio's Amore Dormiente. When I finally found it, I found myself staring at a gorgeously intricate frame labelled Amore Dormiente, with nothing inside. FIGURES!

After walking throughout the entire palace our stomachs were rumbling, so we crossed our fingers and walked toward Gustapanino, hoping that they had reopened. WE WE'RE IN LUCK! Gustapanino was open, remodeled and still selling the same good quality and good priced paninos. It made our day. As we sat eating our paninos on the steps of Santo Spirito we saw a group of people sprinting toward the doors of Gustapanino clearly ecstatic that it was open and we realized it was Jackie, Anna, Sam, Cristi and Avery. They ate their paninos and then we all headed to the boboli gardens to relax for the afternoon. It was a great day, beautiful and relaxing. We headed home around 5, relaxed in the coolness of the house for a little, showered, did a little work and then got excited for dinner.

Dinner was a delicious eggplant parmesan that was kinda soupy, but the best I have ever had. I ate A LOT of it and skipped out on the chocolate and candied orange rinds for dessert and the gelato. After dinner I ended up going downtown and meeting Anna outside SMN. We walked to Piazza della Republica where we stopped to listen to a very talented opera singer. We then went to find gelato. We went to the place Benjamin took us for Cassie's birthday which was a great bang for your buck. I got stratciatella and cafe, SO GOOD. And Anna made the award winning combo of Mango and Yogurt. So now I have to return there and get that at some point because it was just TOO good.

I caught the bus back home, content to go to bed and have a good start to the new week!

Penso che io parlo italiano meglio, ma non parlo correntement ancora! QUASI!!

I couldn't come up with a good title, so there is a little bit of the Italian I can "quasi" speak :o)

So Wednesday: Day of TWO museums

That's more than I have been to during my entire 4 weeks here all in one day! Crazy!

So I woke up early enough to eat and bus it on over to SMN then walk to the Bargello by 8:30 to meet everyone else whom I made a reservation for (Leader of the pack). Reservation was UNNECESSARY there were literally 3 people in line, aka there was no line, so we just waltzed on in, no ticket, no money necessary, I LOVE FREE MUSEUM WEEK, and saw the many many statues and sculptures that were housed in the Bargello. The Bargello was originally built as a house for the highest member of the city council, but then was turned into a prison, and now remains a museum containing many famous artworks by Donatello, Michelangelo, Giambologna and Della Robbia families. It was an amazing collection of works, but unfortunately one of the floors was closed (I think I started to figure out why museum week was this week).

After the Bargello we had a decent amount of time before class, so we went to see if the Florence For Fun office was open because we wanted to buy tickets for the Saturday trip to Chianti, so we went in search for the office. Took us way too long to find it and when we found it at 10, we realized it did not open until 12. Woops! So we just started our trek back to Santo Spirito to head to class! Class was class, and after class I rushed home REALLY quick to put all my heavy books away because I knew we would be going to the Uffizi later. So I made it home to Via Giovanni Fabbroni and back to Santo Spirito for a picnic that was being provided for us by Eurocentres on the deck, all within an hour. Eurocentres had bought sandwiches, so we got free paninis for lunch, and they also offered us wine and aranciata. I strayed away from the wine because I was so tired from waking up early to go to the Bargello, and I knew that if I had even a sip I would drift off soon after.

Since we got shut down from FFF that morning, after the picnic at Eurocentres, Jackie, Sam, Anna and I headed back to Via Della Pergola to purchase our Chianti trip before heading to the Uffizi. We were successful this time, and I only had a little but if agita from spending 40 euro on a day trip. I think my buyers remorse may becoming a little bit resolved... not really though, because we almost got convinced into signing up for the 200 euro Munich trip. It sounded so fun, Sam and Jackie were sold immediately, but of course me and my brain couldn't stop thinking about the decision on whether to go or not for the entire day. It was giving me hard core anxiety, and I didn't want to spend my Uffizi visit worrying about Springfest, Munich and 200 euro (shoot that does sound fun, I clearly still have internal conflict over the decision at hand).


So leaving that issue behind (not really) we went to the Uffizi to meet our party that held the reservation with us, we got our tickets very easily, didn't have to wait in line to get in, and only had to pay 4 euro for the reservation fee which Benjamin should be reimbursing us for, and we commenced our long journey up 4 flights of stairs and down two long hallways, 50 some-odd rooms and a bajillion paintings and sculptures. I gotta say it was pretty fantastic and I did appreciate it much more than when I was in the Uffizi 6 years ago, but I still think I prefer small galleries, with little amounts of artwork, so that it is easier for me to comprehend and become interested in. Regardless, I was glad I went, disappointed there were only 2 or 3 Caravaggio's...

OH THAT'S RIGHT! The second floor which was supposed to have artwork was completely bare because they were preparing a new Caravaggio exhibit... hint 2 of why they chose this week to be free museum week. You can't actually see ALL of any museum... they got us good those tricky Italians! So although we paid 4 euro total to see the Bargello and Uffizi, we were denied two WHOLE floors of artwork, and that is why they probably couldn't charge people to see half museums, but it was definitely worth the museum experience :o)

Let's see, we returned home, for dinner wednesday night I believe Claudia had a prior engagement and left us with delicious fettuccine covered in roasted garlic and oil (I left half on my plate ma!). Then she made a HUGE Caprese salad (ATE ALL THAT, DAD!! nom nom nom), and had a little bit of lettuce with salt and oil. Overall delicious dinner as usual.

Acca came over to do grammar homework with me, then we made our usual trip to Gelateria Medici. I had Pompelmo Rosso e Limone. It was so good, and we realized walking back that after you eat gelato you NEVER feel disgusting the way you do after you eat half a pint of Ben & Jerry's. It's glorious!

Slept like a rock!

Thursday, Giovedi, Jeudi.

Italian from 11-12 and 2-3. Solo grammar. I meant to wake up early and meet Jackie and Cristi at the Palazzo Pitti at 9. When I looked at my phone I had though it was ten of 8, so I had PLENTY of time to make it there, but then I realized it was really ten of 9, woops. So I had an awkward time between ten of 9 and class at 11, so I decided to go on a short 20 minute jog, which I had to do carrying the house keys, kinda annoying, but glad I did it. Then I got washed up and went to class.

After our first class we went to the Oil Shoppe, because we had two hours and it's kinda far, oh and Gusta Panino was closed under construction all week, SUCH a bummer! So we Oil Shopped it up. I had the most DELICIOUS sandwich EVAAAA. You can either order "healthy", "medium hungry", or "hungry", I chose the "healthy", a wheat focaccia. Inside it I got frittata, provolone, rucola, funghi, carciofi and a walnut sauce. It was beyond amazing, egg and cheese melted to perfection with the perfect vegetable complement of funghi, carciofi e rucola. Next time I go, no doubt, I will have to get the same sandwich, maybe add salami to it, we'll have to see.


After the Oil Shoppe we went back to our second class, learned a little, then went with a few people to see the Boboli gardens because that was also free! Gardens were gorgeous, especially when you don't have to pay 10 euro to enter them. We walked around for a while and found a grassy area with a view of the Duomo and we all just relaxed for a while, some reading and some listening to their Ipods, just having a nice and relaxing afternoon. I left the gardens around 5, walked around the Palazzo Pitti area, went into a shoe store where the salesclerk started asking me about photography because he saw my camera, and wouldn't leave me alone and made me NOT want to buy anything in the store because he was so darn persistent about me taking a picture of us together with all the shoes. It was a little creepy so I left quickly, questioning whether he actually was the salesclerk. It was bizarre.

For dinner Thursday we only had soup. But holy cow the soup was amazing, Claudia explained all the vegetables and grains she put inside, it was beyond good. She always explains how she makes everything, and she uses nothing that is bad for you, all whole grains, no butter, she is wonderful, so that must be the secret to her skinny little body, or that she works so hard every day, long hours then comes home and makes and amazing meal, hmph, she is too nice and she needs a vacation... woaaa sidetracked... anyways after the soup I was strangely really full and seemed to have a food baby growing inside me which was weird because literally all we had for dinner was the soup and then she served a piece of her home made grainy bread, corn and finnochio. Wasn't a huge dinner but felt huge in my stomach!



Regardless, Sam and I were craving chocolate so we walked on down to Medici. Always hopping with the local neighborhood Italians, and me in my sweet purple florence sweatshirt and black stretchy pants... let's just say I definitely impress the neighborhood crowd! not. I had 1.50 euro cone con Yogurt Ciocolato and Ciocolato. Yogurt has become my new favorite, it actually tastes like yogurt and isn't so sweet, and makes me feel like I am being quasi healthy so I don't have to feel bad about my gelato splurges!

So yea we didn't go out again Thursday, haven't been out since saturday we are just soooo pooped for some reason we just can't bring ourselves to go downtown, but thats okay. We went to bed early in preparation for our Friday's venture to Siena with the man Maura Mussollini!

Siena and Chianti soon to come! Baci!

Venezia!

Sorry it has been almost a week since I've last written, but no worries, when there aren't frequent posts it means I'm having a great time away from being stuck inside at a computer, so that's good news in my mind!

Anyways, I think I left off with last Wednesday which was a casual day much alike my Thursday. Because we were going to Venice on Friday with class, Benjamin cancelled our photography class because we would be having class in Venice and photo opportunities, so once again we only had our 2 hour class of Italian from 10-12 and then we had a day of freedom! It's sad that I can't exactly remember what I did that day, but I think we probably walked around town until 4 then returned home, napped, did some homework, and ate a delicious dinner made by Claudia per usual. I do know that after dinner we went out with Jordan, we met her at Piazza della Republicca, and ventured around to a few different bars and finally settled on trying a Kebab. Kebab stores are literally on every block in Florence, sometimes more than one on each block, and I had yet to try one, so Jordan and I decided to give it a shot. 4 euros for a wrap with a few french fries, some kind of thinly sliced meet, a few vegetables and a sauce, I gotta say it was pretty delicious, but no comparison to a GustaPanino!

Friday morning we had to wake up early to be at the train station by 9. Obviously I'm an anxious psycho and I woke up way to early and even though Sam wasn't ready and we had plenty of time to spare I HAD to leave for the train station because anxiety was just building within me. So I got to SMN at 8:35, ran into Liang, we went and got brioches, I had a chocolate one which was the first good chocolate croissant I've had (i've only had 3 mom). Most of them here have a chocolate pudding type thing inside rather than actual hard chocolate which is what I prefer and that is what the train station had! YUM!

Boarded the train at 9:25, I was definitely there WAY too early, but no worries I made the train! And we were off to VENEZIA!

When we arrived we all walked together to Aloggi Sofia which was kind of near the Rialto bridge. It was entertaining to see some people navigate the streets and the bridges with their unnecessarily large suitcases. But we all made it into the hotel safely and into our own rooms (which were pretty decent). We settled in and soon after embarked on our journey throughout Venezia. We we're hungry and Professor had suggested a place to eat so we went in search of that... Found it but everyone in the group followed us so it was crowded and I don't like traveling with a group of 20 cause its just too difficult so Anna, Alex, Sam, Liang, Sarah and I broke off. We wandered toward the Rialto and ended up grabbing a panino/rolatini thing to go from Bar Aperol! Then we were headed off toward San Marco. Acca and I couldn't handle stop and go motion toward there from the rest stopping into the glass shops and looking to buy trinkets, so we walked briskly to the piazza where we sat by the water and just hung out taking photos waiting for the others to appear from within the crowd.



Acca and I decided we wanted to take the vaporetto to the Island across the way with the church of San Giorgio (by recommendation of the mother). We left the others on the mainland (their loss), encountered a NASTY woman selling the tickets for the boats.

We started to ask her in italian... "Che baraca noi prendiamo per andare a S. Giorgio" ... she shouted back nastily " I SPEAK ENGLISH" She put me in a bad mood, mean lady. Anyways we bought tickets for the boat from the nasty mean lady who clearly did not want us learning her language because she knew ours and we were off to San Giorgio.

For some reason when we first arrived we didn't think to open the front door of the church. We walked around the entire thing, worrying that the church was closed and we had wasted money on the boat ride. Luckily we went back to the front and had the courage to open the door. Gorgeous church, what church isn't? We made our way to the back where the campanile entrance was, we bought our tickets that said elevator only, and we asked the vendor (in italian) if there were stairs we could take because we wanted to earn some gelato after the climb... but nope, no stairs, forced to take an elevator, which we rode up with french people, french people were everywhere in venice it was weird.


At the top we had gorgeous views of all the surrounding islands, and we had the pleasure of it turning 2:30 I think, and we were gifted with HUGE LOUD BELLS ringing right above our heads for at least 5 minutes. It was an experience but it left my head ringing a lot longer than the bells!


We returned to the mainland in search for Gelato before we had to go to our Professor's gallery opening in the Jewish Ghetto. We looked in numerous gelateria's none looked to our standards until we were closer to our hotel. We found a delicious place where Dan stumbled upon us while he was on his way back from trying to follow the W.C. signs to pay to use a bathroom. I got a cone for 1.50 euro with stratciatella and menta, my new favorite combo then we headed back to the hotel to change and go to the gallery. We then ran into the Benjamin's walking back to the hotel too, so we walked back with them and chatted for a little while and Professor Benjamin told us about a delicious meatball place we had to go to around the corner (we didn't end up having time).

We all met in the lobby at 5:30 to walk over to the opening in the Jewish Ghetto. We arrived a little before 6, and waited outside for it to open. In the Ikona Gallery Professor Benjamin's photos looked beautiful. I had never seen his work before so it was a really good experience for me, the photos were gorgeous, ranging from 1987-2005, black and whites from all over the world. It was a well put together gallery and you could tell how happy he was to finally have it completed!

After the Gallery and a little Prosecco, we all went to an osteria for Cristi's 21st birthday dinner. I had the menu turistco for 14 euro I got lasagne (nonna's is still the best), calamari, insalata mista and 1/4 litro di acqua! SCORE! It was a pretty decent meal, there was only one mishap. A fish was ordered and it came with bones, and someone was not thrilled with receiving a non boneless fish, so it was returned to the kitchen upon request, and a new pasta dish was requested because the osteria did not have any fish on the menu without bones. Went immediately home after dinner because we were waking up to take sunrise photos at the fish market.

Passed out immediately once my head hit the pillow.

Woke up to my awful piercing alarm at 5:45, immediately got out of bed, got dressed and washed up the went to the lobby to meet the 6am crew. We walked outside, walked past a surprisingly open bar with hot brioches, had to get one. Chocolate of course, maybe number 4? week 4, number 4, one a week, that's fair!


When we got to the market all the merchants were just in the beginning stages of setting up their stalls. All 15 of us who woke up swooped and surrounded the fish area with our cameras, snapping various shots of disgusting looking dead fish and alive crabs. Quite the entertainment. One of the stands had merchants who were really into entertaining us. This one man who seemed to run the show, Luca, kept cracking jokes at us, held his carving knives at me... others were throwing eels across the floor at our feet. They let us hold crabs and other fish, it was quite the entertainment and a great setting for shooting great pictures. Benjamin treated most of us to Cappuccinos at the bar on the corner of the market, delicious!


We were out taking photos from 6-8:30 trying to stay out of the workers ways. As the market began to get busy we were able to go to the breakfast that was included with our hotel and opened at 8:30. It was quite the good included breakfast, drinks of our choice, I had a hot chocolate and orange juice, then I had some yogurt, a brioche and lots of fruit. Oranges, bananas and kiwis! I now eat the entire Kiwi, Sam taught me... literally skin and all, taste SO good and more enjoyable, eat it like an apple, no work involved. She is a smart Kiwi eater that Sam!

After breakfast we returned to the hotel to check out. They let us leave our bags there while we explored the rest of Venice for the day. We took the boat to Murano where we hoped to see glass blowing. We wandered the island, looked at many glass necklaces and trinkets. Avery, Acca and I went into a glass art gallery. Gorgeous piece of glass, some looked like Picassos, there were also glass bamboo which were literally shivering in the wind. Made us all nervous so we left before we broke anything! Walked around the island in search for glass blowing. I guess all the factories and the museum are closed on Saturdays, but luckily on our way back to the boat we stumbled upon a man making little animals out of glass, so we saw him create a really cute elephant! Precious!

We got back to the Venice, I went to a photography gallery in the back corner of piazza san marco with Liang, Sarah and Acca, lot's of great photos inside, mostly black and whites. Some very very nice prints, I definitely enjoy looking at photography galleries over most others. After we headed back to the hotel to meet up with everyone, walk to the train station and head home. My legs were dead and I was beat so I was happy to sit on a train for two hours, and I was a little happy we didn't have to stay another day, because I would have been SO tired!


We arrived back in Florence. Claudia had left dinner out for us: fish, vegetables and some bread. Healthy dinner! Then we all went out, met Anna and people at SMN after a bus that we didn't think would come for a while stopped randomly for us at a place that wasn't even a bus stop and saved us from walking all the way in town. Strangely there was one other passenger on the bus and it happened to be Alexa, so together we all walked to a bar named Naima, got drinks there then continued on to finish the night at club TwentyOne. It was a fun night, we got our fill of dancing in and were back cozy in our beds by 2:00am ready to take advantage of the first day I have been able to sleep past 9! YAY!

Monday, Professor had us over to his apartment for a celebratory wine and cheese tasting for having completed our first photo project. Their apartment, a block up from Santa Croce, was huge and gorgeous. I wish i took pictures, hopefully he will invite us back so I can. We watched a slide show of all our photos, his wife Donna had prepared crostini, olives, and cheeses to compliment each of the wines. We tasted 2 Proseccos, a 3 euro and a 9 euro, a Chianti Classico DOC; Rosso di Montalcino [Renieri]; and Vin Santo (did not like that). And I ate the most delicious green olives I have ever eaten!

Today, Tuesday, we had Mauro. First I woke up early to check out the mercato in the cascine park with Anna, we walked through it having no purchases then walked back to school. I ate a Kiwi like an apple on the way back, we had class then breaked for lunch. We went to Nerbone again in the mercato centrale, got myself a porchetta sandwich, then left to find gelato with acca before our site visit at Santa Maria Novella. My favorite church in Florence so far, I may even like it better than the Vatican, but I haven't made that big decision final yet.

For dinner tonight Claudia used all the very ripe avocados, which have much greener outsides than the one's at home do, she made a delicious guacamole. Then we had a mix of cooked vegetables, peas, carrots, sprouts, a lettuce, and mushrooms, along side a 4 grain couscous. Delicious, and I am now in the process of passing out on my computer while writing this blog so I'm gonna say A DOPO!

Tomorrow I'm waking up at 7:10 to make it to the Bargello by 8:30 for our reservation. One italian class 11-12. Eurocentres is having a picnic for all its students at 1, then we have a reservation for the Uffizi at 2:30 then WHO KNOWS!!

CIAO A DOPO

Sono Andata alla Partita di Calcio, Ale Viola!

Yesterday was an exciting day.

After 2 hours of Italian we went to Gusta Panino next to Eurocenter where we got Panini's to carry out so we could make it to Santa Croce in time for our architecture class. I got a 3 euro panino on a whole wheat foccacia with pesto, brie, prosciutto, pomodori, e rucola. It was quite good to say the least, and it was ONLY THREE EURO! Great deal!

On our way to Santa Croce we stumbled upon the Guide Book renowned Gelateria Vivoli. Since it was in all the books we decided we had to try it. We paid for our 2.50 euro (smallest size) gelati at the counter then went to choose our flavors. We were shocked to not have the option of getting a cone, and after being served our 2.50 euro gelato in a cup we were extremely disappointed by the very tiny portion and the gelato itself wasn't that great... never going back there again!

Our Santa Croce site visit with Mauro was actually very interesting. We learned a lot about the architecture of the different columns and different basic designs that were then licensed and changed progressively but all have the same basic foundation. We learned of the few vaulted ceilings/domes that have been named after Brunelleschi and his architectural revelations.



On our return home to the house Sam and I split up. I went with Alex H. to get him a ticket for the soccer game we would see that night. I waited in line for a little with him then went off to find a supermarket and walk back home. I found a Conad near SMN, and bought a 4 euro bottle of red that Sam and I would share.

At home Claudia asked us about dinner, then she ended up packing us a cute little panino picnic because she knew we were going to the soccer game and we would have to leave before Italian dinner time. We left the house around 5 of 7 and headed to meet everyone at Piazza Liberta. Sam and I were the second ones to arrive, but everyone began filling in. I mentioned if everyone had their tickets... good thing I did because Avery had forgotten his and had to run home quickly to get it. We all hung out in the piazza while waiting for Avery to return and the arrival of the others and once we were all there, we started our walking journey to the Stadio. It took around 30 minutes to walk there, and all of us were getting so excited to get there and watch the Inter vs. Fiorentina show down!

The streets outside the stadio were lined with porchetta trucks and shops selling Fiorentina purple knickknacks, shirts and souvenirs. We tried to get into the stadium as fast as we could, and we assumed our seats among all of the fans who had bought the cheap 8 euro free for all seating. All the Fiorentina fans began singing songs and cheering and I tried SO hard to understand what they were saying but couldn't for the life of me figure it out. I attempted to ask a neighboring Italian what they were saying, but he seemed to interested in the game and didn't really wanna figure out what I was asking him. None the less the experience was fantastic. We got to see a well played game of soccer and experience the culture of the stadium and tha crazy Italian soccer fans. Luckily we were not stuck in any riots, and I felt safe at all times (that's for you ma).

At the end of the game we were all a little disappointed Fiorentina had lost, but it was okay. We headed out of the stadium, Avery and I craving salt as we past the porchetta trucks with lines up the house, I snuck and weaved through the line and got us two porchetta sandwiches relatively quickly. They weren't nearly as good and hot and fresh as from the panino truck in Sora, but they were just the perfect end to a really fun day.

Munching on our sandwiches we walked back home toward the outskirts of town, and arrived back home before 12. Pooped from a long eventful day, I feel asleep immediately after my head hit the pillow and slept soundly until my alarm went off this morning.

Had a make up italian class today, so we had 2 hours as opposed to our usual 1 hour class on wednesdays. We got Gusta Panino for lunch again, this time I got Prosciuto, funghi spread, carciofi spread, provolone, melanzane, zucche and rucola... FOR THREE EURO... still blows my mind, and has yet to disappoint. Anna, Sam and I walked to the bridge to find sun and enjoy our sandwiches then we decided we wanted to do a little shopping so we walked toward San Lorenzo and the Mercato Centrale. I bought a real leather cross body bag for 15 and then we went inside the food market where we stood in awe at all the great italian creations. Such a beautiful place, who knew how aesthetically pleasing looking at hanging prosciuttos and balls of cheese could be to me. I loved every second of it and Anna and I planned to eat there for lunch tomorrow.

We returned home, I went on a run, showered, did a little homework and took a nap before dinner. The knock on our door for dinner to be ready brought us with a delicious Pasta Carbonara and some vegetables. Not an 8 course meal, I was thrilled. After dinner Sam went to go do her laundry, I did my homework and Alex H came over so we could write our italian retelling of the 3 little pigs together. We debated on going out, but then decided we would just go out for gelato at Gelateria de Medici and then go to sleep early so we could wake up to photograph sunrise :o) So gotta go to bed so I won't be dead tomorrow!

I'll update on sunday, Friday morning we leave for Venezia, to explore and to attend our professor's gallery opening, so should be a fun filled weekend! A domenica!