Florence So Far...
09 Jan 2015
12:00
Before raving about my new city, I want to note that traveling all went smoothly. No delayed flights, I got to sit next to my boyfriend, Forest, for my plane rides, and the overnight flight was like sitting in the car with an iPad, but better. I haven't had a better traveling experience. Although it went well, it still exhausts you. However, traveling for 24 hours proved to be worth it, once I became accquainted with Florence.
Once our luggage was gathered, our group met in the lobby of the airport to be dispirsed into cabs that took us to our apartment. The driver dropped us off and my roommate Rachel and I were left to fend for ourselves. To get to our apartment, you had to walk into this corridor with a small discoball, leading up to the store, "Diva Babies". To the right, an iron gate would take us to our destination. Our apartment was on floor 1, with our call bell being Cecci/Lumachi, and our landlord was Mr. Cecci. The doors on the first floor looked beat up and worn, like somone took a sledge hammer to it. I thought this couldn't be right so we went upstairs.
After the first flight of stairs, there were two doors separated by two steps. We attempted both, but still were unable to open one. The second door had a brass plaque with "Cecci/Lumachi" on it, so we thought it might be our landlords. We continued upstairs, but then turned around because those obviously were not the first floors. I tried the first door once again, to be greeted by a man and his presumed wife, to which I fumbled to explain that we were only confused study abroad students who don't know how to work doors. He was friendly and gave us no fault (although we were embarrassed). We finally made the connection that if our bell was cecci/lumachi, then the door with that plaque must be ours! We were right.
We entered the apartment and I immediately fell in love with our apartment. Wooden floors with special details, persian looking rugs all around, spacious living areas, and more. My aparment feels like we are living in Italy. I look out my window to see my terrace, terracotta roofs, and blaconies with plants growing. This warms my heart.
Exploring the city with Rachel was awe inspiring. Seeing the Duomo for the first time made us tear up. I've been learning about this architecture and history since the tenth grade and to see it in front of me is an amazing experience I wish for everyone. We bought wine and sat infront of the duomo, enjoying the free wifi (our apartment wifi did not work at the time). We then met up with Forest and his friends to enjoy the rest of the night together. We walked around town, bought sandwiches and bottles of wine, and went back to my place.
Our roommate, Aparna, had finally arrived amidst our wine sipping. She joined us for a glass and we all had a wonderful and hilarious time together. After our wine, we went out to find a bar to enjoy a beer. I swear we walked two miles to find a bar, even after asking locals where to find out. Alas, we found one and enjoyed our drinks, but not before making american fools out of ourselves first. We accidentally walked into a restaurant, sat down, asked for drinks and were told to leave because you have to order food. Oops. I learned alot that day, this is what study abroad is all about!
The next day was orientation (boring) and grocery shopping. What I learned: beware of Italian men (direct quote from a police officer) and do not buy laundry detergent and a bottle of wine at the same time.
Quotes:
Taylor (Forest's best friend): "Rome wasn't built in a bidet"
Goals:
-Try to get to know Florence better before school starts
A cat approached me! So happy!
this is what I picture when I think Tuscany