Now That's Italy!

Ora Che e l'Italia!

The title above means, Now That's Italy! I have been in Florence Italy for 12 days now and thought I had seen the best of it until today! Today, Betsy, Ashley, Allyson and myself decided to go for a walk that turned into a 2-3 hours, 4.6 mile hike up into the heck woods of Italy! Having absolutely no idea where were going, we pressed on because we knew there was so much to see. We walked along parts of Fiesole that we have never seen and then entered the Park of Fiesole that brings us up to the woods. The woods are huge, full of trees, rocks, and old brick living areas from history. We decided to hike our way put the see where Da Vinci tested his first wings. The hike up there was bearable but we pressed on. Upon the last few steps we noticed the amazing scenery of all of Florence. I had never seen such beauty in my life. I tried to imagine how I was going to write this as I was staring at the sun set slowing over the Duomo but no words came to though. It's a moment that stands still and is unimaginable. No picture could describe the essance and beauty that the moment captured. All that came out of my mouth at that moment was ... "Now That is Italy!"

We ventured on to the best of the woods picking random paths at a time. We came across an old orchard and noticed horses in the distance. We called for them and they came galloping to us and we played with them and fed them. Our goal is to come back and free them apples and carrots :) They were so cute and reminded me of France! We walked around all the way down watching the sunset cross the beautiful sky.

It was the best day in Italy. It was beautiful and so surreal!
This weekend we are traveling to Bologona and Lucca :) Can't wait!

Ciao for now! Love Love!

Limoncello!

It was our first weekend here in Florence and what a memory!
Allyson, Betsy and myself decided to go into town where we stopped at this store that had amazing boots and purses. I got a a 80 euro pair of boots for 30 euro. I was in heaven!! We decided to stop and have some lunch and we noticed a man giving out free wine and shot cards for international students and since we scream "American" from our accents, hair, and clothes we took advantage of this great opportunity. The place was called Dell Agnolo Osteria and it had fabulous food! We got free wine and after our lunch we got shots of Limoncello! This was Allyson's first shot so it was pretty special day! We were happy campers at that point so we continued to walk and decided to so see the inside of the Duomo! It was absolutely beautiful but freezing inside! We talked with a security guard and he suggested we go to the Piazza di Michelangelo! So we walked 50 minutes from downtown and crawled with sweat and tears and got to the top and sat there in absolute "Awh!" It was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen! The sky was crisp clean of any fog or clouds and we could see Fiesole on the top of the hill! After we looked at the awful replica of Michelangelo we sat at the bus stop for 30 minutes because it was awful traffic at this time.

During our wait there a strange old women would talk to us in Italian and we would just nod our heads saying, "Si""Si" with NO regulation to what she was saying. Then she went away and we were sitting on the curb of this really busy road and all these Italian men old, young, and deformed would drive past us and slow down and STARE at all. One guy pulled over I guess to ask us if we wanted a ride and we walked away, us. Another pulled out his CAMERA and started taking pictures of us, others slammed on their brakes to look at us. It was the funniest experience ever! I started crying I was laughing so hard. We then got on the bus and took us almost 2 hours to get back because we stopped to pick and drop hundreds of people off and because it was traffic. Allyson and I were sitting and the bus was crammed galore! People were squeezing and the bus door was shutting on their faces and they didn't care. So, at this point I am stunned that people are that inpatient here in Italy and because it was the funniest thing I had ever seen. Allyson and I were laughing so hard. We then got off the 12 bus to hop onto the 7 bus which brings us to Fiesole. While we were waiting for it three Italian boys about our age or older were trying to talk to us and asked us to get on the bus with them and Betsy screams " NO CAPISCO!" The bus door closed and they were STILL staring at us! So, we get on the 7 bus and once again people are crammed left to right! Some strange guys start talking to us in Italian again and some Egytion guy asked Betsy if he could look her over after they got off the bus. He spoke very little English so Betsy replied loudly "NO!"!!! Allyson and I were crying with laughter at this time!

We ran up the street once the bus stopped and join Bob, our program director, for dinner! Two hours after the whole group decided to go to JJHill Pub, a Irish Bar in Fiesole! This was the best night and day so far in Italy! The students from Saint Mary's University are absolutely hilarious and thank god for the wine or none of this would be possible!

I will update you with more days like these!
Ciao!

Il Duomo - Cattedrale de Santa Maria del Fiore

Saluti!

What another amazing day here in Frienze! We slept in and had our first Art class. We began with a summary of what we are going to learn this semester about the art and agriculture of Florence. The city is one of the most popular travel cities in Italy and is known as the Renaissance city in the heart of Tuscany. We went downtown to visit the Baptistry which is right across of the Duomo of Frienze. We learned about the outside doors and my favorite was the one that looks like gold. Each door tells a different piece of history and each one was made almost 5 to 10 years apart so each one looks different. The Baptistry of John the Baptist, from the 11th century, is one of Florence's oldest buildings. Its exterior is made of green and white marble and has three sets of amazing bronze doors and inside, you can see some mosaics and a marble pavement of the zodiac. It was so beautiful and then we visit another small but well known church in Florence. The church was so beautiful that it brought me to tears and I lit a candle and said a prayer for my father. It was such a good feeling and the church held so much history and love that it made a big impact on me. I can't wait to see the inside of the Duomo which we are going to see maybe tomorrow since we have no classes. I am so excited to visit other very important and influential places. I more than anything want to see Cortona and Lucca! I will keep you updated with my travels!

Baci! ( kisses )

Primo Giorno in Italia

Buona Notte!

I am just about to go to bed after my official first night in Fiesole! I can explain the day as absolutely amazing. Nikki and I woke up at 5 am because of the time difference so we went to breakfast at 8am and has croissants and ham with some coffee. It brought back memories of Provence France where Babcia served french loaf of bread and jam. It was delicious. Then at 10:30 Bob took us on a tour of the city. We learned that our hotel Villa Bonneli was once a home and now owned by an Italian family. They are very smart business people but their main goal is to make money! We then proceded downtown which if we take a bus would take about 10-20 minuets but we talked 2 hours.

We saw some of the most beautiful scenery and homes I was gasping for air after. We almost got killed 100 times because the cars come flying by in the tiniest streets! Quite a thrill! Haha! We then said goodbye to Bob he walked back and we proceded downtown to Florenze where we got completely lost! We were looking for the Duomo which was so big and beautiful. I found myself staring at it for fifteen minutes at a time. Later on in our travels for history class we will tour inside so we just passed it.

Believe it or not I led the pack to the bus station since Nikki and I knew somewhat where it was because we went there yesterday. We safely got back into Fiesole but everything there was beautiful and the shopping is to die for!! We napped for a few hours about walking for 4 hours or more so we passed out for a little bit. We woke up and had a meeting with Bob which has to be the funniest man every and boy can he walk very very fast! After we went to the restaurant in the city called Etruscans where we had wine, pasta, and taramasue. My newest friend Betsy and I shared a bottle of wine.. she is my wine drinker and wine taster with me. Then after our 2 hour dinner we went out to JJ's bar which is a Irish Pub! We got some cocktails and laughed away till eleven. I start classes tomorrow so I am off to bed! This has been a great first day in beautiful Italy!

Ti Amo! ( I love you ) xo

Ciao From Italy!

Ciao a tutti!

Greetings da Italia! I am finally here in beautiful Italy! 14 hours, 3 buses, 1 train, and 1 shuttle and every moment was worth it! I had finally unpacked my stuff in the smallest hotel room with my beatiful roommate Nikki. I don't know what I would have done without her; most likely been in Poland by now! We had a few small obsticles along our way getting here which are quite amusing if I must say. Our flight out of Mpls was interesting my seat was broken so I remained in a 90 degree angle for 8 hours and my ass hurt! Then we flew into Amsterdam which took us to Milan and from there we literally ran with over ten bags and literally cought our train by a second. We literally ran screaming does anyone speak English and no one did so we just guessed and by the grace of God we are alive.

Then we stop in Bologna which is a beautiful city and as we went futher South the snow disappered and the scenery got beautiful. Then we landed in Florence and took a bus to Fiesole where we are staying at Hotel Villa Bonelli. Once we got here our instructions from our professor said to go up this a hill and we will see the hotel and yes Nikki and I went up the wrong hill and some Italian and his mother started to laugh at us and offered us a ride. Yes, we took a ride from a complete stranger!! But he was a kind man and we decided if anything we will use of female aggressive skills to hurt him.

We were okay and he dropped us off in the back of the Hotel and left but we thought it was the front and the doors were locked so we were banging on the door and saw no one. So, we decided to wait outside and wait for someone and didn't realize that we were in the back and that there was a offical front office and front doors. Like dorks, we sat outside in the freezing cold till Nikki said, " i wonder if there is a front door?" So we walked around and felt like idiots becuase YES there was another door! We went to bed at 7pm and woke up at 5 am and had crossants, bread, and jam for breakfast. This city is so beautiful and fun! I will attach photos! More crazy stories to come with this adventure and I will keep you all updated!

Arrivederci!