Intensive Italian. TANTO TANTO TANTO.

This pass week we had Intensive Italian. Which is us, the students, sitting in a classroom learning about the italian language and then going out with guides to use what we just learned in real life situations. It was the most intense week of my life. We were always just going and going. Speaking Italian. I remembered more Italian than I thought I would. But I hit a wall on Thursday. I felt like everyone was just talking at me in gibberish. I had no idea what to do. But we all made it through.

The time of the day where we went out and applied our learning was called Uscita. Which translated means "to go out". The uscitas we went on were the music store, bookstore, a farmers market, supermarket, post office, bar/cafe, and pharmacy. The things we learned were very helpful and applicable for our time in Florence. My favorite uscita was to the Farmer's Market and Supermarket, in Italian, Mercato e Supermercato. I love food. So it was really interesting to me to learn all about their food and how they buy it. The mercato was a lot like any other farmer's market. There were venders with their yummy and beautiful fruit. My partner and I ended up getting ginormous grapes, apples and peaches. Funny Story: At the mercato I was trying to order a half kilo of peaches, which in Italian is un mezzo chilo di pesche. However, I ordered un mezzo chilo do pesce. Which translates to a half a kilo of fish. The man was very nice and told me(in italian) that they were peaches and not fish. We all giggled and he was very sweet about it, but i was so embarrassed. I was trying so hard to speak their language and I butchered it.

Our last Uscita on Friday was to go to a department store and our group of three had to put together an outfit, we all had to dress up like an Italian stereotype. Our group had "B-Boy" which is dressing ghetto, like a rapper. My group consisted of Jody, Cody and Myself. I was the one who got to dress up. So I wore all of Cody's clothes and the accessories we got at the store. Not to toot my own horn but I would be a sexy rapper! It was really funny and a great way to let loose after the week we all had.

Six long days and Five restless nights to fall in love.

It actually only took one restless night to fall in love with Firenze. One look at the Duomo from the Piazzale di Michelangelo. But the days feel long here. But in the good way. If they were any shorter I wouldn't be able to soak it all in. But the nights are restless. I still can't sleep through the night. But it will come. It took me 30 hours to get from doorstep to doorstep. A little too long for my taste. But totally worth it. It still hasn't sunk in that I live here now. It hits me at different times and i just giggle.

The first full day which was Thursday, we had a walking tour of our neighborhood and orientation things. Also that night we got Gelato and walked around the Duomo, which gives me chill bumps every time I see it. The size and beauty is unparalleled.

On Friday we had our first day of classes! I cannot wait for Humanities 212. I'm such a nerd. But it's all about the Renaissance and other things in that time period. Italian will/is giving me panic attacks. But it will come back to me. That night we went to Cafe Liberta. Which is where we eat breakfast on the weekends. The creme puffs are unreal! I was in heaven. And after Cafe Lib we hit up HOPS which is a pub not too far from our villa.

Saturday morning we had our last bit of Orientation. And that afternoon we went to Piazzle di Michelangelo! I had yummy gelato at VIP's Bar. Which was recommended to me by a friend. And I would recommend it to you. After that we went to see an ancient Etruscan village and roman ruins at Fiesole. My inner Art Historian and Nerd was geeking out. I was in love. I got to touch Roman Ruins! Things that existed before the time of Christ! I'm still freaking out.

Yesterday, Sunday, We took a day trip to Siena and San Gimignano! Which were beautiful. The pictures don't do it justice. The city of Siena is definitely in my top 10 favorite cities. I felt a connection. I had some really yummy pizza as well. I love the Italian food! OhMy! In Siena we got to see where the major horse races go on and the Duomo in Siena. The Tuscan countryside is just breathtaking. It makes me want to drop out of school and own a vineyard. I think I could be content. Well. That's all for right now. BigHugs!

K.