Ciao! I am resting up on my fourth day here in Florence and I cannot explain how breathtaking this city is. Never having left the United States I had a picture in my mind of what to expect, but my expectations of Italy have undeniably been surpassed. On my flight from Frankfurt to Florence we flew over the Alps and at that moment I realized what I was about to experience. Every view is different and spectacular, each person that I have met has a story that is unlike any one else's. Each and every aspect of Florence seems to have been crafted in such detail to be unique in its own way. So far its unexplainable to those who have never been, almost like a dream.
When I arrived I was picked up at the airport and brought to my new apartment with one of my roommates. I live right off the Arno river and on a small street opposite the main tourist part of Florence. I was pleasantly surprised by the amount of space that we had! After watching hundreds of episodes of House Hunters International I prepared myself to not get my hopes too high if i had a tiny bed in the corner of a room. I share a rather large bedroom with one of my roommates, Becca, and a bathroom that is even bigger than my one at home in Texas. Our apartment has an old vintage Italian design and flavor to it. With wooden beam ceilings, red tile floors, and long windows that touch the ceiling and floor, its everything I could want and more.
When I arrived I was picked up at the airport and brought to my new apartment with one of my roommates. I live right off the Arno river and on a small street opposite the main tourist part of Florence. I was pleasantly surprised by the amount of space that we had! After watching hundreds of episodes of House Hunters International I prepared myself to not get my hopes too high if i had a tiny bed in the corner of a room. I share a rather large bedroom with one of my roommates, Becca, and a bathroom that is even bigger than my one at home in Texas. Our apartment has an old vintage Italian design and flavor to it. With wooden beam ceilings, red tile floors, and long windows that touch the ceiling and floor, its everything I could want and more.
After settling in we decided to wander on our side of the town and find a place to eat dinner. Here in Italy they tend to eat dinner a little later so we waited until about 9 and after many recommendations decided to eat at I Quattro Leoni. It was delicious! I ate Pear Ravioli, which they're known for, and I would recommend it to anyone! The next day was rather busy. I had orientation in the morning for FUA and a walking tour of Florence in the afternoon. It was fascinating to see so much of Florence in one day, but my feet and calves hurt so bad.
SAI hosted a dinner for us that night in an exquisite Palazzo with lots of mini appetizers. The chandeliers were as elegant as ever and statues throughout the room. After dinner my new friends and I walked the town and decided to try out some of the bars that we had heard of. We went to an American bar where we were able to meet a lot of different people from the states that were also in Florence to study abroad. It was definitely a great time for only my second day here with karaoke bars, new friends, and secret bakeries at 3 am.
SAI hosted a dinner for us that night in an exquisite Palazzo with lots of mini appetizers. The chandeliers were as elegant as ever and statues throughout the room. After dinner my new friends and I walked the town and decided to try out some of the bars that we had heard of. We went to an American bar where we were able to meet a lot of different people from the states that were also in Florence to study abroad. It was definitely a great time for only my second day here with karaoke bars, new friends, and secret bakeries at 3 am.
Yesterday and today have been pretty rainy and gloomy, but have allowed me to be a bit lazy and catch up on some rest. We have gotten to know our neighborhood and palazzo area pretty well, along with finding a few cafes and small shops and markets. School starts on monday so I will start to have a regular routine. I am extremely lucky to only have classes on tuesday and wednesday and am ready to see how art classes differ here than at my regular University. Its only been 4 days and I am completely in love with Florence. I cannot wait for these next four months!
Always,
Sam
Always,
Sam