Spring Break!

Buon giorno Amici Americani,

What a week! It's hard to believe that I'm halfway through the semester! In a month and half I will be all alone on a continent where I know absolutely no one. I have noticed that I feel much more alone over here, as I do not have a cell phone which can send and receive texts/calls from both family and friends whenever I want. I only have internet at my apartment, versus all the time on my phone (sounds weird, but that was really nice to instantly google and locate something!). 

Sighhh. But, atlas, I am in Italy, and those feelings are offset by the beautiful nature of the city of Florence and all the places that I've been to. Sunday I plan to take a nature hike and see where the heck I end up. I found a few Florence guide books in the apartment, and I'm just going to pack a lunch and gooo. I hope pictures will follow. 

I have so many blogs waiting in the wings, but it takes time to upload pictures, and I just now have some free time to finally finish them!

Just a quick shout out to all the family that have encouraged me to go along with this idea and really made this possible, I can't thank you enough! It has been an enriching experience, filled with exploration and personal growth that I could never trade away. Love you all!

Here is just a random day out and about in Florence!

 

These little street sweepers will sneak up on you! haha

Florentine Police

Here are some shots of the "Ponte Vecchio" which means, "The Old Bridge".  I will actually blog about the bridge, as it holds some historical importance, which is always fun!

Vespas are everywhere!!!

hahaha.

Ciao for now! 

Midterms, Midterms, Midterms!

Ciao Blog Buddies,

I missed yesterday's update, shoot. But I have midterms this week, and I can't believe that we are already half way through the semester! Our Spring Break is next week and many people are flying off to far away places, but since I have three months under my belt after the program, most of travels will be executed then!

I just have a few random photos to share, as most of my time is being dedicated to studying. *sadness*

I told them to act like they were enjoying it, we all had different interpretations LOL.
On the Beach at Viareggio (same "town" as the Carnivale)
Coca-Cola Moment

On the Beach Again. Closest guy: Alex Dobbs, Me and Mike Muegge

Cloudy Day... Misc Bridge over the Arno River. (First One West of the Ponte Vecchio)

Lucca, long time ago, Victoria and ME

Fastest Way Around Italy

My goal is to roll out the blog about my University, Siena, and "The Best Day Ever" next, but who knows! I am most terrified of the Italian language class midterm, but I'll try my best. On Saturday though, a little history on the Medici Family (so if you are not a history buff, this might be kinda boring. But they made Florence what it is today!!)

Miss and thinking of all of you! I need to get some emails out, but so much to do, so little time! haha.

Ciao ciao!

Life After Florence?

So people have been asking what I will be doing after Florence, since I have a good three months of traveling to accomplish in that time frame. June is Britney's month, but for May and July, I am quite unsure.

Well... I was.

Here are two of the options that I am exploring. The first is in Italy, close to Naples:
(It is on the Amalfi Coast, close to Pompeii, actually...)

The second is a 15th Century Castle in France. It'll cost around 40 euros to fly to Paris from the Pisa Airport, which is amazingly cheap. Then a train ride and a taxi. So its a bit more work to get to, but with everything, just a little over a hundred dollars.

So hmmmm... choices choices!

Basically, what I'd be doing is 4-5 hours of work M-F in exchange for free room and board AND 3 meals a day. The work varies from place to place, but it is mostly upkeep or resort chores.

I'm not sure which to choose, and there are many other options, but these happen to be my favorite.


Personally, I am leaning towards the beach... haha. But to be able to say that I lived in both Italy AND France... and not only that, but a CASTLE in France.


Dumb ole Europe.



:P

Carnivale di Viareggio (PART TWO)

Buon Giorno,

Viareggio, as you can tell, was as wacky as it was fun, and I wish I had taken more pictures with me and our group, but live and learn!

Here are some snapshots of the town:

Here are some of the costumes and whatever "leftover" photos I have. You can tell that the Italians put a lot of work into some of these!

MY FAVORITE!!!!! HAHA. She looked right into my soul!! ahhh






And who doesn't believe me when I say the Italians love their dogs?

And finally, look who I bumped into: