6-13-07
On every corner, in every shop, there is a plethora of leather. Leather purses, leather gloves, shoes, books, belts, anything you can image. Since my first walking trip on the first day, I have been seriously infatuation with a pair of absolutely gorgeous leather boots in a store window. Miss Sixty’s store window to be exact. Now, some of you may not be familiar or have forgotten my list of things I wish to accomplish in Florence, which is extremely important for this particular blog, so here is a refresher…
Eat as much gelato as I can
Make friends with some Italians
Visit everything on Kate’s list
Travel as much as possible
Ride on a moped with an Italian boy
Buy a leather purse
Find Amy Jo and BC’s old apartment
Go to a beach
Find a place that plays live Italian music
PURCHASE ITALIAN LEATHER BOOTS
Number 10 is officially crossed off the list as of today. Before anyone freaks out about this seemingly impulse purchase (mother and possibly grandmother), let me explain. I have walked past that particular window every day, twice a day, or more, and have also kept an eye out for other boots to compare. I describe it as quick and efficient research. I also believe that when in Florence do as the Florentines do. Florentines buy leather boots. I am trying to immerse myself in the culture, that’s all.
Today I also accomplished number 6 on the list, a soft, natural brown leather purse. It too has been starring at me for days now. With classes not starting until 2 today, I just had to make the trip to the mercato and check it out. The mercato literally sucks you into its rows upon rows of nic-nacs and handmade goods and will not release you until something is purchased. I tried to explore some other purse options because there are hundreds, but this one particular purse kept following me! What the heck! So I decided to buy and found a stand run by the most bargainable guy in the mercato. It was a piece of cake getting to the price I wanted and I would like to thank my blonde hair for all its help. Blonde hair in Italy is a whole other story, but some people are just fascinated by it. The new purse and I loved showing off together around the streets and in class today. We were turning heads and making people jealous all over the place. Leather is definitely my new best friend.
Quick side note…I saw a bride and groom taking wedding pictures on the Ponte Vecchio today. What a lucky couple. I took a picture, but still cannot seem to figure out this picture posting on the blog. Oh well.
Thursday, June 14, 2007
Wednesday, June 13, 2007
Wait…We Actually Have to Take Classes Here?
6-12-07
Having all the free time in the world to do whatever you want, go where ever you want, and see what ever you want is truly the way to experience Florence. But once classes begin, you can kiss the majority of that free time good bye. The first class I chose to take over here is an art history class on Michelangelo and his works. I figured that learning about his master pieces and then walking down the street to see them in person would be amazing. The professor informed us that we will take class trips daily to the museums and even travel to Rome to see Michelangelo’s sculptures, painting, etc. How fun! He lectured today on different medias, techniques, styles, and did a very brief overview on how Michelangelo fits into each category, or idea as Professor Rolf described them. It was shaping up to be exactly the kind of class I was expecting. Traveling and art are a great combination. I am looking forward to learning more art history, analyzing different artworks, and visiting historical places. Then came the class syllabus. Italians obviously don’t mess around when it comes to education. 1 written essay, 1 presentation, and 4 exams with essays. He also gave us directions to all the Florence libraries…for research. The whole “not worrying about my classes or grades” plan suddenly pulled a 180 on me. This may be harder than I thought. Who wants to research on vacation (well I was calling it vacation before class started)? Class number two is my Italian language class. For two full days, I have spoken quite a bit of Italian, not well, but have managed. Our professor walks in speaking to us as though we are all smoking cigarettes and have dark hair, dark eyes, tight pants, and last names ending in “i” or “o.” I have only taken a semester of Italian and pick up on 1 of every 10 words this woman is saying. Uh oh. Did I mention this class is 4 hours long 3 times a week? 4 hours of smiling and nodding with little comprehension. The good thing is that we spend the last 2 hours of class walking the streets of Florence learning how to order from restaurants and gelaterias, which means we get to eat and roam for a grade. Chocolate and vanilla ice cream translated into Italian is gelato stracciatella. A+ for me! This class may be the most difficult to understand, but is already by far my favorite.
I found out today that you can scale the Duomo. What a very intriguing thought! I will have to look into that. I also heard about designer outlets that are fairly close to Florence. Checking into that as well. Another cool thing I learned today was that we live right above a craftsman’s workshop. The constant banging sounds are incredibly annoying in the early morning, but turn into these extravagantly built and upholstered pieces of furniture. It’s nice seeing something so amazing and beautiful in the morning before heading to the Michelangelo class from you know where…
Having all the free time in the world to do whatever you want, go where ever you want, and see what ever you want is truly the way to experience Florence. But once classes begin, you can kiss the majority of that free time good bye. The first class I chose to take over here is an art history class on Michelangelo and his works. I figured that learning about his master pieces and then walking down the street to see them in person would be amazing. The professor informed us that we will take class trips daily to the museums and even travel to Rome to see Michelangelo’s sculptures, painting, etc. How fun! He lectured today on different medias, techniques, styles, and did a very brief overview on how Michelangelo fits into each category, or idea as Professor Rolf described them. It was shaping up to be exactly the kind of class I was expecting. Traveling and art are a great combination. I am looking forward to learning more art history, analyzing different artworks, and visiting historical places. Then came the class syllabus. Italians obviously don’t mess around when it comes to education. 1 written essay, 1 presentation, and 4 exams with essays. He also gave us directions to all the Florence libraries…for research. The whole “not worrying about my classes or grades” plan suddenly pulled a 180 on me. This may be harder than I thought. Who wants to research on vacation (well I was calling it vacation before class started)? Class number two is my Italian language class. For two full days, I have spoken quite a bit of Italian, not well, but have managed. Our professor walks in speaking to us as though we are all smoking cigarettes and have dark hair, dark eyes, tight pants, and last names ending in “i” or “o.” I have only taken a semester of Italian and pick up on 1 of every 10 words this woman is saying. Uh oh. Did I mention this class is 4 hours long 3 times a week? 4 hours of smiling and nodding with little comprehension. The good thing is that we spend the last 2 hours of class walking the streets of Florence learning how to order from restaurants and gelaterias, which means we get to eat and roam for a grade. Chocolate and vanilla ice cream translated into Italian is gelato stracciatella. A+ for me! This class may be the most difficult to understand, but is already by far my favorite.
I found out today that you can scale the Duomo. What a very intriguing thought! I will have to look into that. I also heard about designer outlets that are fairly close to Florence. Checking into that as well. Another cool thing I learned today was that we live right above a craftsman’s workshop. The constant banging sounds are incredibly annoying in the early morning, but turn into these extravagantly built and upholstered pieces of furniture. It’s nice seeing something so amazing and beautiful in the morning before heading to the Michelangelo class from you know where…
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
Un Cappucino e Un Crimini della Crema Per Favore.
Alarm clock sounds at 7:30 a.m. so Jessie, my roommate, and I can head out early to find a good caffè place before our orientation begins at the Accademia Italiana. Our goal is to find a good place close to our apartment that we can frequent on a daily basis. We want to make friends with some Italians. The barista behind the counter greets us with a Buon Giorno (I know what that one means) and we stand back a bit to see how the others are ordering. We go with un cappuccino e un cremini della crema, a pastry. Great choice. While we are eating, Italians start flooding the caffè wearing these extremely stylish outfits and speaking incredibly fast. I can’t help but stop eating to watch everything that is happening around me. Wow! I am in Italy, in a caffè, hanging out with the locals. This is crazy! When I finally decided to snap out of my stare and pick my jaw up off the ground, Jessie and I headed off to the school, which is directly across from the Pitti Palace. I took a pretty difficult Italian placement test, listened to a few lectures about safety and class procedures, and took a tour of the school. One balcony on the third floor has probably one of the best views in all of Florence. I think I will spend a lot of time sitting there. Maybe even sketching a little? We will see. Our school advisors then prepared an authentic Italian lunch with 6 different kinds of pastas, homemade pizza, and deserts. I was in awe of the food and think I may take an Italian cooking class. Mom, Grammy, and Amy Jo would be so proud. We took a little walking tour after lunch with my Michelangelo professor and visited some of the main Florence attractions – The David, inside the Duomo, the Gates of Paradise, the Piazza della Republica, and the Santa Maria Novella. He also pointed out Vodaphone where I will be purchasing an international cellular device, tomorrow. The best part of the day was a free dinner on a Tuscan hillside provided by the Accademia Italiana. The entire school squeezed, shoved, and pushed their way on to a single bus that took us near Fiesole outside Florence. Traveling with that many hot, sticky, smelly people was not pleasant. I did, however, have my first blonde moment of the trip during the bus ride. An Italian woman was sitting in front of me reading a book and I thought to myself, they print books in Italian? It’s going to be a long 6 weeks. Anyway, the restaurant was absolutely gorgeous and very swanky with a 4 course meal and a bottle of Chianti. We started with two different pastas that were too good for words and then moved on to a, what is the word, interesting meat dish. I thought it was just a very rare-looking steak, but turns out they cooked us wild boar. Never in my wildest dreams…The boys in the group had just a tad too much Chianti and on the way back started playing with the bus doors and yelling for people to hop on. Oh boy. The streets here are just as beautiful at night with live music playing everywhere and Italians out enjoying cool air. A crowd was gathered on the Ponte Vecchio to listen to a singer/guitar player, so we thought we would gather too. I love Florence.
The mosquitoes have finally arrived at apartment 2 and the never ending sounds of mopeds are getting louder. Tomorrow I am investigating a pair of Italian boots I saw in a shop window and starting my classes.
The mosquitoes have finally arrived at apartment 2 and the never ending sounds of mopeds are getting louder. Tomorrow I am investigating a pair of Italian boots I saw in a shop window and starting my classes.
Flying Solo
(Note: This post was meant for Sunday Night...I am far behind)
It is amazing how quickly one gains independence while flying solo. I found myself sitting in the Indy Airport Saturday, all by myself, with a stomach full of nerves and close to tears. Don’t get me wrong, I was beyond ecstatic about studying abroad for 6 weeks, but being shoved into new experiences isn’t something I handle well, at first. I need a solid, well thought out plan and leaving Indy without one was terrifying. How am I going to understand Italian signs in the airport? Will I go through customs in Milan? When I get to Florence, how do I get a taxi? Who is Tonelli and why do I have to ring her doorbell? I thank my mother for this “being in control” gene. Getting to Newark, NJ is a piece of cake, chocolate cake preferably, J and getting onto the massive 747 was also pretty easy. A man wearing a Packers jersey, cut-off shorts, and high tops made me smile and relax because dad would definitely be that guy traveling to Florence dressed like a NASCAR fan. The man next to me can’t speak a lick of English but gave a little father, son, and holy ghost prayer before take-off and while landing. Also, making me smile. We land in Milan and I start following the wrong group of people headed out of the airport instead of to the transfer gates. Oops! Good thing mom reminded me to ask lots of questions. Finally, I arrive in Florence ( Firenze as they call it in the Milan airport – talk about one confused American – stood in front of the monitor for a good 5 minutes wondering where my flight was) and run into a girl from Purdue! How much smaller can this world get? Finding a taxi was the easiest part of the trip and I had to laugh at myself for being so dramatic about not finding one. I bonded with my driver and he was very impressed with my horrible attempt at speaking Italian. He taught me that when you answer the phone, you say “Pronto.” Good to know. My apartment is gigantic with high ceilings, big arching windows, sitting areas, and a kitchen. My roommate is very, very shy and quiet, but that is better than absolutely nuts. We walked around all day yesterday and saw the Ponte Vecchio, the Duomo, the David, the Pitti Palace, the Boboli Gardens, J.J.’s Cathedral, etc. Already I have had 3 different flavors of gelato (Coco flavor is the best), Italian pizza, Bruschetta, and Sparkling Water (sick!). I am learning so much already and cannot wait to continuing learning more. I am on my way to becoming a true Florentine.
It is amazing how quickly one gains independence while flying solo. I found myself sitting in the Indy Airport Saturday, all by myself, with a stomach full of nerves and close to tears. Don’t get me wrong, I was beyond ecstatic about studying abroad for 6 weeks, but being shoved into new experiences isn’t something I handle well, at first. I need a solid, well thought out plan and leaving Indy without one was terrifying. How am I going to understand Italian signs in the airport? Will I go through customs in Milan? When I get to Florence, how do I get a taxi? Who is Tonelli and why do I have to ring her doorbell? I thank my mother for this “being in control” gene. Getting to Newark, NJ is a piece of cake, chocolate cake preferably, J and getting onto the massive 747 was also pretty easy. A man wearing a Packers jersey, cut-off shorts, and high tops made me smile and relax because dad would definitely be that guy traveling to Florence dressed like a NASCAR fan. The man next to me can’t speak a lick of English but gave a little father, son, and holy ghost prayer before take-off and while landing. Also, making me smile. We land in Milan and I start following the wrong group of people headed out of the airport instead of to the transfer gates. Oops! Good thing mom reminded me to ask lots of questions. Finally, I arrive in Florence ( Firenze as they call it in the Milan airport – talk about one confused American – stood in front of the monitor for a good 5 minutes wondering where my flight was) and run into a girl from Purdue! How much smaller can this world get? Finding a taxi was the easiest part of the trip and I had to laugh at myself for being so dramatic about not finding one. I bonded with my driver and he was very impressed with my horrible attempt at speaking Italian. He taught me that when you answer the phone, you say “Pronto.” Good to know. My apartment is gigantic with high ceilings, big arching windows, sitting areas, and a kitchen. My roommate is very, very shy and quiet, but that is better than absolutely nuts. We walked around all day yesterday and saw the Ponte Vecchio, the Duomo, the David, the Pitti Palace, the Boboli Gardens, J.J.’s Cathedral, etc. Already I have had 3 different flavors of gelato (Coco flavor is the best), Italian pizza, Bruschetta, and Sparkling Water (sick!). I am learning so much already and cannot wait to continuing learning more. I am on my way to becoming a true Florentine.
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