Ciao from the Terrace

        I am currently sitting on the terrace with Rachel, gazing out over the rooftops. I can see the Duomo on one side and Piazzele Michelangelo on the other. There is a slight breeze and the sun peaks through the clouds every so often. It’s about 58 degrees here, so a light sweater is all I need to be in heaven. The birds are chirping an Italian song, and the clothes are hanging out from the windows to dry. My croissant with prosciutto and fresh mozzarella is giving my fingers a shine from the butter and a satisfaction in my stomach. I brush the crumbs from my lap cause the croissant is so flakey and light. It’s times like these I lock into my memory for years to come when I remember the semester I was in Florence.

Learning My Way Through Florence

On the bus ride from Rome to Firenze

           I have officially been in Italy for a total of one week. Crazy crazy. It feels like I’ve done so much and been so many places already; I hardly know where to begin. Normally a vacation to Italy would require spending maybe a day or two in a city, but it’s crazy to think that I’ll be living in Florence for the next three months. I don’t want to bore you with intricate details on what I’ve done so far, so I’ll try to give you an overview as best I can. I landed in Rome where we were met by the ISA staff. Thankfully, I was flying with about 20 other ISA students, so we all herded together. We stayed in Rome for the first three days, touring the Coliseum, the Roman Forum, the Vatican and its museums, St. Peter’s Basilica, the Sistine Chapel, the Trevi Fountain, the Spanish Steps, and the magic of Rome at night. My favorite part of Rome was probably walking through the ancient ruins of the forum. To think of people roaming the streets in 700 BC, and there I am, walking on the same ground, it was just really awesome to think about.

Jenn and I at the Coliseum 

           We arrived in Florence on Thursday where we, my roommate Rachel and I, met our host mom, Maria Gazia. She waited patiently by our bags that arrived earlier and greeted us with a kiss on the cheeks. Our apartment is situated a little bit outside of the center of the city, which I like because it gives us a little more of a homey feel in this part of the neighborhood. The flat is located on the third floor with a beautiful terrace that wraps around part of the building. The apartment is very spacious and Maria Grazia has decorated it well. She makes us breakfast every morning and dinner on the weekdays, so we get a taste of Italy without having to make it or go out for dinner. One of the many perks of a homestay! Rachel and I both settling in well to our room with our pictures of home next to our beds.

View of the terrace

Beautiful view from the terrace                                    

                I’m starting to learn my way around the city slowly but surely. I mentally run through the streets and demographics in my head before I approach them so it actually looks like I know where I’m going. If I can get to the Duomo, I can basically get anywhere. Basically. I can’t wait until going to the market becomes second nature to me. I’m also working on my “walking face,” which requires looking at the sidewalk and not smiling. Apparently, smiling is not mandatory when walking in Florence. But I know in everyone of the people’s hearts I walk by, they’re smiling inside. The locals are very nice, and I do my best at trying out my Italian, though they quickly figure out I’m a lousy American. I was proud of myself the other day when I did some finagling for a scarf for about 10 seconds in Italian, until he said something I couldn’t understand and I had to blow my cover as an American. Sigh, it didn’t last long. Eventually, my goal is to order something without them replying in English.

At Piazzale Michelangelo