My 21st Birthday, and some more

As the weekend came around, it was still raining and the weather was not holding up. I had to cancel my plans to go to Pisa and Lucca because everything there is outside. I ended up going to see see the Uffizi Museum which is one of the most famous museums in Florence. I also ended up walking for about four hours in the rain wandering through the hillsides with Tamir and Jamie. We found some great views that you can see in the pictures posted . I also walked past some amazing Italian villas that over look the city of Florence.

For my birthday on Monday, my friend Taja and her roomtaes made dinner for my apartment (look at the pictures). They made a delicious dinner. We had bruscetta, salad, ravioli, a fruit cake dessert, and of course some red wine to celebrate the occasion. After dinner we all went out to celebrate. I had a great 21st Brithday! It was also very nice to get all the e-mails and online messages for my Birthday. Thanks Everyone!

Another highlight of the week was the Florence chocolate festival. Right near the school there was about a block full of chocolate stands. It was amazing. They had any type of chocolate you could imagine. I went there a couple times throughout the week. Tamir and Jamie bought some fudge for dinner on Fri. for my birthday.

I am finally getting into a normal routine here with classes, homework, and sightseeing. In two of my classes we went on walking tours throughout the city to learn about some of the geography/history/architecture. I have posted several of these pictures online.

This weekend I am going on a hike in the Fiesole hills, and then I am going to Pisa and Lucca

Here are some pictures:

My 21st Birthday
Sites around Florence


-Andy

The First Week of Classes

After getting settled and moving in, my room mates and I want exploring the Sunday before classes started. We decided to walk around the north east end of the city. We first made our way to the soccer stadium and track field in Florence. This is where the Fiorentina team plays. I think sometime soon a bunch of us are going to go to a game. From there, we went north, and went to see the David Statue in the Accademia Museum. It was pretty incredible, and it is definitely a sight worth seeing. There is a lot of other great work at that museum too.

On monday, classes started. It was strange to get up and have to go to class and not be a tourist anymore. All of my classes seem manageable. I am in four classes. I am taking Italian, an international business class, a class on the Italian life and culture, and renaissance art history.The classes are pretty small because we only have about 60 people on our program, so I really getting to know everyone in my classes.

Then on Tuesday night we had a welcome dinner sponsored by the school. It was great to finally meet everyone on the program. They served a delicious meal, with 4 different appetizers, 3 main courses and dessert. It was kinda like Bucas back at home, but much better!

The weather has still been gloomy. We have not had one sunny day since we have been here. It rains most nights, and only gets into low 50's during the days. I was sussposed to go a hike nearby today, but it was cancelled due to the weather. Hopeffully the weather won't get in the way of any of my other plans for the weekend!

Ciao!

Andy

Getting Used to the Italian Culture - the first couple days

Hi everyone,

I have finally had a chance to get settled in Florence after arriving on Friday morning. I came on the group flight with about 20 other students from my program. It was fun to meet everyone at the airport and hang out between flights.

When we first arrived taxis took us all to our apartments, two of my roommates were on my flight, and then other came later in the day. My apartment is great, and we really feel like we are living like local Italians because we are not in student housing, rather everyone on the trip is spread out around the city in rented out apartments. Each apartment I have been to is completely different from the next.

My apartment is in the basement of a building that is about a 25 minute walk from the school. It is a two bedroom, one bathroom complex with a nice kitchen, and living area. Because we are in the basement, we have a great backyard\patio. It came fully furnished with everything we need.

I have really enjoyed living with my roommates. They are easy to get along with and are all really nice. We will all definitely hang out a lot more as we get to know each other

The school I go to is pretty incredible. It is mostly in one building, with a couple other classrooms in nearby buildings. It was built in the 1500's and is nothing like a school we would see in the U.S. The staff and teachers are all great, they have given us advice about almost anything because I don't know the language at all.

So far I am really enjoying my stay here. I am very excited to explore more of the city, because it there is so much to see!!! Even if I go to a Museum a day, I won't be able to see it all.

Click below to see pictures. The weather has been gloomy/rainy since I've been here, so I don't have many good pictures. I will be sharing picture ablums online, and I'll post new links every time I write a new entry!

My New Home in Florence

That's all for now,

Andy