Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Friends Abroad
The ceilings and walls had extremely pretty designs, and there were candles in the middle that we each took turns lighting. We then left and went to visit the San Lorenzo market where they indulged in scarf buying. I'm telling you the scarves are so nice, and when someone in America asks you where'd you get your scarf from, you just say "Oh...Florence, Italy." They'll think you're fancy,when you only spent 5 euro. We also went to Piazzale Michelangelo. Caleb's second time that week, but I wont let anyone come here without seeing it.
It was also funny the Italian men seeing THREE Black women together! It was to much
for them to handle! AND these random girls from Serbia came up to us and asked if they can take a picture WITH us. We were a little confused but we did it. Just figured they had never seen black people up close and personal. I would say that they had a pretty good time, and yeaahh I'm a pretty good hostess :) Look at me showing off Italy like I live here.
Sidenote: I realized this was really my home when I started getting annoyed by tourists! I mean I know I've only been here awhile, but they're always in the way when I'm going to class, and I'm like I see this everyday, keep it moving!!...I kid I kid.
Other Food Places
We also went to get gelato, and sat on the beautiful bridge by my house. Yep that's what I pass everyday. Can't get over it.


NOTE : Italy's customer service is awful. There's no calling the manager or anything like that, you just take what you get. ESPECIALLY in restaurants. There's no tipping out here, because waiters get paid pretty good. Therefore, they pretty much don't care about your service. If you want the check, ask for it 30 minutes earlier. Seriously.
Another place that we tried, of course as Americans, is Tijuana. I LOVE Mexican food so I had to find a place, and I'm happy I did. This place is sooo good. I had the nachos and they were to die for. We went during happy hour, so we all got fragola margaritas at discounted price, and it was hands down the best I ever had. You might think I'm hyping this place up, but I promise the food iss delish. Of course we took pictures, so take a look. Caleb also bought me a rose from this guy passing by. I swear Florence is the place of Romance.
Caleb's Visit

So last week Caleb came to visit me! He loves Italy...I think a little more than London even. I took him to visit several places around the city. One really nice place we went to is a little town right outside of Florence called Fiesole. Fiesole is about twenty minutes away on the bus, and it is one of the best places to go if you want to sit back in peace and just enjoy the beauty of Florence. When we first got there we went to this little cafe that my roommates love. We stacked up on some of the best little tarts, one we especially love because it's filled with Chocolate, and it is deliciousss. We then hiked up a hill, that was about five minutes, but it was pretttyyy intense. (I swear I never walked so much in my life). Once we got to the top...the view was INCREDIBLE.
We stayed there and waited until the sun set. We met a really nice older couple that was visiting, and by the end of our conversation we were taking pictures with them. Caleb also gave Katie and Evan a Romeo and Juliet photo shoot, which was to cute. It was a really nice outing, fo
r a good price. Enjoy the pictures.
Monday, September 27, 2010
Gusta Pizza Flirts
Person I miss MOST
San Lorenzo Market
I love this place! You can talk the people down to any price you like! And everything is made in Firenze. Its funny we met an American boy there selling products for his Italian father. He tried to fool us, but him blasting Jay-Z was a dead give-away.
Anyway, San Lorenzo is A must visit when you come. It's like an upgraded Slauson swapmeet.
Verona
So one thing I forgot to write about was my weekend trip to Verona. First of all, this was one trip that I was not at all excited about. This is due to the fact that originally, we were scheduled to go to Cinque Terre. Howeverrr, because of the predicted bad weather conditions, our program decided to cancel that trip, and go to Verona instead.
Mind you, Cinque Terre is said to be one of the most beautifulll places in Italy. Its five towns, with five different islands, but because of the water and rocks, they say it is a very dangerous place to be when it's raining. Therefore, we were stuck going to Verona.Verona is where the home of Juliet is located. Interesting, because this is what the movie we saw in Florence was based on. Sooo let me talk a little about the trip.

So we immediately left our room, and went in search of food. It was 7 of us, guys and girls, and we found a pizza place. We then began walking around a bit. We went on a guided tour with a woman that barely talked. Although, some of the sites were BEAUTIFUL. There were several designer stores, an amphitheater that looked like a mini-coliseum, multi colored buildings, tombs, and of course Juliets house!
Let me tell you. Seeing that movie, as corny as it was, made this experience so much better! Of course, they don't know if the story of Romeo and Juliet was true or not, however it is in fact where the Capulets lived. At the site, there was of course a balcony, and a statue of Juliet. Tourists are supposed to rub her left boob if they want to find true love, and rub her right if they want to be rich. Most girls rubbed the left. I put my hand on both!

The walls were covered with writing by tourists, alot of which were love notes. I somehow managed to fit Roni and CD up there. (simp moment). After we left there we went to a river in the middle of Verona that just like everything else was amazing, and then we went to the top of a hill to look down on one of the best views I've seen.
That night, we went to a museum that was holding an open art gallery. We all held in our laughter at the random stuff that was considered art. Some mans keychain, teapot, and pen. I'm not sure if it had a deeper meaning, but we couldn't find it. We then wen't back to the hotel. We were so bored that we took hotel business cards, and made playing cards out of them. We sat in the room disgusted by it. We all agreed that it looked like the room a murderer goes to on the movies when he's getting ready for his next victim. Yes, it was that bad.

The next day we were so ready to go. Our bus didn't leave until four, so we did everything we could to pass time. Verona was nice, but it was not a place you would stay for more than one day.
Odeon Cinehall
So we decided to go to the movies one day in Florence. Of course, nothing in Florence is the same as America. Being in a movie theater, is like being in a theater that kings and queens once went to!
Giorgia told me about it! It is the oldest theater in Florence, and it is called the Odeon Cinehall. Me, Katie, Ianne, and our two friends Conner and Evan decided to go one night. It was absolutely gorgeous inside! We sat in the most comfortable cushioned seats, and looked up at the prettiest antique ceiling ever made. Nevermind the bitter Italian woman at the front that didn't want to give us our student discounts.
The movie we saw was Letters to Juliet, and despite the fact that it was the corniest movie I've ever seen, it was still a really nice experience.
My intercambio!
One of the things I was most excited about when coming to Italy was setting up an intercambio! That's when I meet with someone who speaks Italian, and we teach each other our native language. Well the time had finally arrived, and I was told that I would be meeting with someone named Giorgia! I was so excited!
When we finally met, of course it was a little awkward. She was nice, young, and knew English pretty well. We walked to get gelato, and talked a bit about some places she had traveled. She asked if I preferred her to speak in Italian, and I told her I preferred her to speak a little of both. She agreed, but when she would burst into Italian, I was so confused, all I could do was nod. She then told me she would be meeting with her friend that she hadn't seen for awhile, and I could just watch them speak Italian. I agree, even though it seemed a little odd.
When they met up, they immediately dove into conversation. I just stood there, struggling to understand, but it didn't help. I didn't know at ALL what they were talking about. We went to a restaurant, and had an apperativo (some wine and appetizers). I ate what were the BEST veggies I ever had in life. They continued to talk, and I continued trying to understand. Giorgia would stop and ask me "Do you know a little bit?", I would say "ummm a little". I was definitely lying. I didn't have a clue what was going on. When we finished eating, Giorgia and I set up another meeting for that following week.
At first, I was a little dissapointed. That was not how I had planned it to go...but then I realized...I was in an Italian restaurant, with Italian women, speaking the Italian language. If I'm not embracing the culture, I don't know who is!
Friday, September 24, 2010
GUSTA PIZZA
I could write an entire post about this place alone...but all I will say is...If you EVER come to Italy...make SURE you try Gusta Pizza. It's right near my house which is by the Pitti Palace...and it's the BEST pizza I've tried here. It's a small place ran by three Italian men that KNOW English! It has thick balls of mozzarella...and....I can go on and on...but you must try it....and for 5 euro, it can't be beat!
A sight to see


Thursday, September 16, 2010
Monday, September 13, 2010
Sunday, September 12, 2010
First Week of School-Friday
I miss my love.
First Week of School-Thursday
First Week of School-Wednesday
First Week of School-Tuesday
First Week of School-Monday
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