So I am finally here in Firenze.. it's day 6 I a pretty sure. Alot has happened since we got here. Our flight to Rome was completely empty which was awesome.. we all layed down on our own entire rows to sleep. Tylenol p.m. and red wine saved my life that flight, passed right out. Our flight to Firenze was delayed which was rather annoying since everyone was exausted at that point. When we arrived API picked us up, my luggage was there amazingly.. I was expecting that to be lost, and then we went to the hotel. Hotel Baglioni was where we stayed which was really nice. Our room had three beds where me Kaitlynn and Mel stayed, we had huge stain glass windows overlooking the piazza down below. That night we had a meeting and a welcome dinner, nothing special. That night was beyond interesting. We went out with about 35 people to somewhere "close". Of course we wore heels and of course it was not close. Try like 5 miles away. It ended up being 4 of us girls at the end and we found a really nice bar called Slowly. Our drinks had crazy fruit coming out of them.
So Tuesday we had our first real day. We had a tour at 830am of the city and saw basically all the main spots including the Duomo, Ponte Vecchio, etc. The Duomo is HUGE. Like yeah looks huge in pics but it is so overwhelming when you stand next to it. Walking near it at night when no one is around is very creepy but pretty at the same time. The Ponte Vecchio (Old Bridge) is really pretty especially when standing on one of the other bridges from a distance. It has all gold shops through out it. After our tour, Kaitlynn, Tiana, and Kat who I have become pretty good friends with went to lunch with the guys. Then we had another meeting and that night API took us to dinner. First we took a super crowded bus over the Arno River so we could see the whole city lit up at night from a distance. We also saw the David Statue which was cool. Then we went to "the best Pizza in Florence". Lie. Good but I wouldnt say it was the best. That night us girls and the guys went out to Twice, which has sort of become our place. We have made good friends with the owners and they get us free drinks/tables all night which is pretty sweet since a drink here is like 8 euro aka like 10 bucks in the U.S.
Wednesday we moved into our apt which is really nice. Everything has been redone and it is pretty close to everything like Marcato Centrale and the Duomo. Also close to one of the only places that sells bagels. That is HUGE for me. Our apt has 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms which is nice since many only have 1 bathroom. That day we went to IKEA to get bedding and stuff. Katilynn and I bought matching duvets and rugs to make our room cute. That night I finally got to see Jess! We went out to Moyo with her Italian friend which was nice. Hopefully I will be seeing her tonight too :).
Thursday we had survival tours in the morning, which actual saved our lives. It helped us finally find a straightener and a blow dryer which was driving me insannnnne and mattress pad things to make our beds or cots better. After that me and Kaitlynn went to pizza and then we went out to Twice again with the guys. And I even ran into Rich from work! He is studying in Rome for the semester but they did a couple weeks here in Florence first.
Friday was probably one of the better nights we had. We went to Twice again and Tyler, one of the owners, got us vipp! loves itttt. Grey goose makes any person happy :) That morning we had Lorenzo de'Medici orientation.. pointless. They repeat everything thats been told to us already a thousand times. And I was exhausted, we never ever caught up on our jet lag. Every night this week we have gone to bed at like 4 and gotten up before 830. So after that I went back and napped for a few hours. Then we grocery shopped for the first time... so overwhelming. The best thing we bought was olive oil, parmesan cheese, wine, and bread which we basically live off of. Kailtynn and I made a cute little home dinner last night which was reaaaally good. First cooking experience over here woop. Hard to do with no oven or toaster. Props to us! I skyped with Brackett today which was nice and I have talked to my parents a couple times but thats about it on the home front. I bought post cards today so I will send those soon.
So that leads me to today, Saturday. We went to American brunch today at The Diner. We needed it. All we have eaten since we got here is pasta and pizza each once a day. These people eat way too many carbs. But we're losing weight because we walk everywhere. I swear we have walked more than a marathon since we arrived. Then Tiana, Kat, Kaitlynn and I walked around for a while. We tried to go to the Boboli (sp?) gardens but they were closing. So we shopped a bit then came home. Now I am about to shower and either go out with the girls to Space or go out with Jess.. not really sure what I am doing yet. One of the club promoters wants us to come to Space tonight so I am not complaining if stuff will be free again. Certain things here are mad cheap but some are ridiculous. They charge you for water when you go out to eat and just for sitting at the table. Aaaabsurd.
We start class on Monday which I dread but am slightly excited for because of sewing and jewlery making. Those classes will be pretty interesting. We are also going to Rome next weekend which will be really fun too. I know we plan on going to the Ice Bar everyone always goes to so Im excited to see that. They said we would miss home but honestly I dont see that happening any time soon. The lack of stress over here is amazing and everything is so beautiful. So basically I am not coming home. haha The only annoying thing are the creepy Italian men. You can look like hell ran you over and back up again and the men will go insane when you walk by. The best lines the girls have gotten have been things like oh you dropped something..look down.. My number, my heart! and are you looking for a boyfriend? and singing pretty woman when we walk down the street. I cant even go for a run here its so effed up. Good thing we walk everywhere.
Ok I need to eat some more bread and olive oil and showerr
Ciao!
<3al