Chianti Hills

Went to the Chianti Hills of Tuscany on Saturday night. We stayed at a family's estate and toured their wine cellars. Had so much fun! Great food & wine as well! Hope you enjoy my video about it! 

DINNER: 

Pea, rice & bean soup

Pork with raisins & potatoes

Crostoli (served in Venice during Carnivale)

Chianti wine ~ made at the estate

LUNCH:

Bread with different spreads, salami & olives

Ravioli

Pasta with meat

Gelato!

Painting a Dream

Yesterday I climbed up to the Piazzale Michelangelo to watch the sunset. The way the sun was on the buildings gave them a rich color. It was so pretty. It was a little chilly out but once I got to the top it was all worth it. I looked out over the city and it seemed like a painting. The sky was shades of pink and purple. It felt peaceful from up there just looking down on a busy little city. I wake up every morning and am always on the go. I'm either on my way to class or running some errands. I just like to pause and remember where I am at. It's so incredible that I have the opportunity to study abroad in such a beautiful city that is full of culture. I am loving every bit of this adventure and am looking forward to what this semester will bring! 

Market Day

   Woke up super early this morning at like 7:30AM to go to the market. I went with two of my roommates. It took us like 45 minutes to walk to the market. It was well worth the walk! The deals were so good and there were so many interesting things. We saw little pets for sale, clothes, food, household stuff, jewelry and lots more! I found a coat for 20 euros! I also got a pair of gloves and a couple of shirts. It was so much fun. Then we walked all the way back home and then we had to go to Italian class. After class I bought all my painting supplies which was fun. Can't wait to start painting! Made pasta yet again for dinner and played cards with the roomies. So glad it has only been about a week in Florence because I don't want it to go by fast. I love it here!

First Day of Class

Woke up early today for my first day of class. I had photography first. My teacher is really cool and laid-back. We get to walk around Florence and take pictures during class. Later on we get to use the darkroom to develop black and white photos! Can't wait! After photography I ran back to the apartment for a quick lunch then headed to Italian class. This class may be a little harder just because it's a language class. We learned the alphabet today and a few simple phrases. Then I had painting class. We went over the syllabus and the different supplies we need to get for class. We also got to go up on the rooftop and look around. That was fun. Then the teacher did a painting demo. My first painting is due next Monday! When the weather is nice we get to go paint outside! After classes I came back and made dinner with the roomies. Then we played cards and found some cheap gelato by the Duomo. So yummy! 

Class Schedule

Basilica di Santa Croce

MONDAY:
Photographing Florence 9,15-12,15
Italian Language 12,30-14,30
Painting Techniques 15,00-19,00

TUESDAY:
Italian Language 12,30-14,30

WEDNESDAY:
Sketching Florence 8,30-12,00
Italian Language 12,30-14,30
History of 20th Century Fashion 15,00-18,00

THURSDAY:
Italian Language 12,30-14,30

FRIDAY:
No Class!

Hiking the Hills of Florence

Hiked up by the Bardini Gardens and past the Forte di Belvedere today with my roommates. It was very quiet up in the hills not many tourists climb up this far. It was so pretty to look out over the hills and see all the big estates. There are lots of nice houses back there and narrow little streets. I loved just hiking and not really knowing where we were headed but just kept going. We hiked for three hours all together. It was so much fun! 

Meeting the Neighbors

View from the park

Yesterday I went with my roommate so she could buy a cell phone. We ended up shopping instead because the cell phone store was closed for lunch time. So we walked around and found some neat stores. We also came across a little park with kids playing and people walking their dogs. It was so peaceful just sitting in the park and people watching. There were some boys playing "futball" and kids playing on the playground. It was so cool to see how Italians spend their time just relaxing. 

My roommate went back to the store to buy a cell phone and I walked back to the apartment. I got into the apartment and tried to unlock the door but couldn't open it for the life of me. There are like five locks to the door so it is really hard to unlock. So I kept trying and just couldn't get it. So I went to our neighbors next door and this elderly man who spoke no English helped me unlock it. He was so nice! We want to have our neighbors over for dinner sometime but we aren't sure what we should make for them. 

Inside of the Duomo

I grabbed a bite to eat then met my other roomies at the Duomo. On my way to the Duomo I passed a huge group that was parading through the streets protesting and police were everywhere. It was really neat! We went inside the Duomo and looked around. It was really pretty inside. We didn't get to climb to the top because it was about to close so we'll have to do that another day. Ate dinner at Antico Noe which I found from my Lonely Planet guidebook. The restaurant was tucked back in a covered alley. The atmosphere was very cozy and the food was great. Afterwards we headed to a nightclub called Twice. There was lots of dancing and lots of Italians! So much fun!! Most people drink wine at the clubs/bars and not mixed drinks. Italians drink to socialize with friends and family. They don't drink to get drunk and act foolish. They drink responsibly and it is part of their culture. I love tasting all the different types of wines that are imported from local vineyards in Italy! 

Orientation Week

View from the rooftop at school

My first day of orientation was on Wednesday in Accademia Italiana's building located off of Piazza Pitti on the otherside of the Arno River. I have to walk across the Ponte Vecchio to get to Accademia. On my way to orientation the first day, I stopped at a little pastry shop to get some breakfast. At orientation we received our schedules and little information bags about Accademia and Florence in general. Luckily I got all of the classes that I requested. We took a tour of the school and then two companies came to present different types of cell phones that we could purchase. Accademia provided us with a delicious lunch of pizza and pasta. Took a tour of Accademia's workshop building where the painting, photography and sketching classes are. This building is on the otherside of the river, where I live. We took a tour of the workshop building and got to go on the rooftop for a gorgeous view of the city.

After touring Accademia's buildings, we took a took a tour of Florence. We got to see the Duomo, Basilica di Santa Maria Novella, the train station, Piazza della Signoria and 

Close up of Ponte Vecchio

the Ponte Vecchio. After orientation I
came back to the apartment and met my fourth roommate Nissa who is from Tennessee. Headed to Piazza Della Signoria by the Uffizi to meet up with some of the other girls to go out to dinner. Went to a pizzeria and ordered Chianti red wine and San Gimignano white wine. I really liked the white wine. The pizza was delicious! Italians sure know how to make a pizza!

On our second day of orientation I stopped by the same little bakery again

Eating sandwiches by the Santa Croce church

to grab a croissant and water. Then I went to Accademia for orientation. All the students were divided up to see what level of Italian class they should be in. The Accademia staff quizzed us on our Italian. I think I will be in the lowest level since I have no Italian experience! After our placement interviews, a company called Florence for Fun came to talk to us about different trips they planned for us to go on while we are here for the semester. Some of the trips sound really fun! After orientation I grabbed a sandwich from Caffe Mario and sat infront of the Santa Croce church and people watched. Got a cell phone and sim card so now I can call/txt friends on the same network for free! Stopped by the supermarket for some groceries then made dinner with the roomies.

Last day of orientation was Friday. Turned in Visa documents so that I can get a residence permit. Then my roomies and I set out to find our apartment agency to get internet! Finally got the internet situation figured out. Shopped in some of the stores in Florence. Made dinner and I taught my roomies how to play Eurchre! 

Goodbyes & the Flight

Saying goodbyes

I have been waiting for this day for a long time. Ever since high school I have wanted to study abroad. So it began at 8AM. I woke up and got ready and finished packing. Around 9:30AM Mom and Dad took me to the airport. I checked my large suitcase that I had jammed pack full of enough clothes to last me four and a half months. I had weighed my suitcase at home and it weighed 62lbs, meaning I would have to pay $60 since it was over 50lbs. When the lady weighed my bag it came in at 65lbs! But then she said she would check my bag all the way through to Florence for no charge! I was SO glad! Soon enough it was time to say goodbye. I hugged Mom and Dad and was on my way. Flew from Indy to New York (JFK). I thought I had reserved a seat by myself in my own row but turns out I was sitting by this buisnessman. Good thing the flight was only 2 hours. Landed in JFK and then tried to find the Air Train to get to terminal 4. It took like 15 minutes to find the Air Train. Then I got on the first one that came and after it had taken off I realized the train was going the wrong way. So I took a little tour of the JFK airport for about 20 minutes. Finally found terminal 4! 

View of the Swiss Alps from the plane

Checked in with Swiss Air and got my boarding passes. Walked all around the airport trying to find food. Decided on a slice of pizza. Walked around the terminal and people watched for about six hours until my plane was boarding. Went through JFK security and then met up with some of the other Accademia Italiana students at the gate. Flew from JFK to Zurich (ZRH). It took about 8 & 1/2 hours to get there. Swiss Air had the best service ever! Got to Zurich and had a 2 hour layover. Met up with more students from Accademia and then we took off for Florence! The flight from Zurich to Florence was only about 50 minutes. We flew over the Swiss Alps which were covered in snow and so pretty! Landed and went to find our luggage. So glad my luggage made it! Went through customs no problem and met up with the Accademia staff. They transported us by bus to the apartment. The city is so pretty just like in the pictures.

The famous Ponte Vecchio bridge 

Got to the apartment and met two of my roommates Chouree & Kelsey. I unpacked my stuff & then went exploring around Florence for a bit. Went to the Ponte Vecchio bridge... so neat! Met up with other Accademia students and walked to dinner. Ate a delicious five course meal at Trattoria 4 Leoni. I am loving it so far!

10 Outfits for Italy!

I created a video of ten types of outfits I will be wearing in Italy. Hope this helps if you are packing to study abroad or for a long-term vacation!