Monday, September 31 through Saturday, October 6
POST DATE: Sat Oct 6th
Florence week 1
Post #3
Saturday, October 6, 2018
Monday, October 1st, 2018
HAPPY BIRTHDAY KENDALL!! (ILY)
As I mentioned in my last post, Monday we had Orientation and were finally able to move into our apartment. Other than that, we did not have energy to do anything else. Although, we FINALLY had time to get food after two days of just snacking in the airport. What was our first meal you ask? PASTA, of course!!! We went to one of the first places we could find and I got Spaghetti Carbonara and Michaela got Spaghetti Primavera! SO YUMMY!
Tuesday was the first day of classes! On the way to class we stopped at a café for coffee and a croissant which were both SO yummy! Classes went great and were both interesting! After class we finally made it to the market to grab some groceries and essentials and did a little bit of walking around! After homework, we cooked chicken and potatoes for dinner and set out to get some gelato at Gelateria Dei Neri (I got cookies and cream and some type of creamy vanilla or ricotta or something) which was absolutely AMAZING!
Tuesday, October 2nd, 2018
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During our Arts and Places course on Wednesday, we met at a different building to listen to artist and FUA Professor Andrea Manchini discuss some of his watercolor work that will soon be on display at an art exhibition in New York City. His art is absolutely stunning. Towards the end of class our professor brought us to Santa Maria Novella Church, where we would meet for class the next day. After classes we walked around more and explored our surroundings. We went to All'Antico Vinaio, a famous Italian Panini shop, where all of their sandwiches are just €5! Although there are two locations right across from one another, they lines run down the street. My panini was delicious although next time I will have them hold the truffle because it was a bit too much for me. The fresh Italian meats were to die for, however Michaela and I both only have two bites of our sandwiches before a pigeon pooped on Michaela and both of us lost our appetites... yuck!
After this, we decided to walk to the Duomo (Florence Cathedral) where we stopped for some more gelato. This gelato was good, but nothing compared to the gelato we got on Monday! After gelato we went to a store called Tiger because we both needed some notebooks for class. On the way back to our apartment we stopped for some groceries. For dinner we had some pasta and jar sauce (box of pasta = € 0.33 and jar of sauce = € 0.97) with chicken. The jar sauce was absolutely horrid but tasted a bit better after I spiced it up with some garlic, basil, salt and pepper.
Wednesday, October 3rd, 2018
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During out Art class we met at Santa Maria Novella Church and went inside to view the artwork. Having our professor bring us around and tell us the history behind each piece was amazing because it gave us the opportunity to actually understand the artwork and its significance.
During creative writing class, we had a workshop with a professor from a different school who is an iconologist (basically someone who studies art and can find the hidden meanings within it).
After classes for lunch we got our first PIZZA and it was AMAZING!!! Michaela and I shared a prosciutto and cheese pizza and had some limoncello. After doing some homework and walking around, we had leftover pasta with some fresh sauce and garlic bread. After dinner, you guessed it - gelato. We went back to Gelateria Dei Neri, and this time I got coffee and cookies and cream.
Thursday, October 4th, 2018
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Friday, October 5th, 2018
In our Art class, we took a field trip to Palazzo Medici Riccardi, which is the palace of the Medici family. The Medici family donated a lot to the city of Florence and was responsible for hiring many of the artists that decorated and built up many of the churches and buildings in the area. They are known for using their wealth to invest in the city, which is amazing because today we still honor the art and history that was made.
After classes, we went to Pinos, which is another panini place right down the street where we got some AMAZING sandwiches that all 6 of our roommates are obsessed with. Both Michaela and I, and pretty much everyone else we went with got the chicken best which is fresh bread, a chicken cutlet, tomato sauce, mozzarella cheese, and I substituted the hot sauce for pesto. Im sorry but it was phenomenal.
After enjoying our sandwiches, Michaela and I were finally able to spend a few hours doing what we have been wanting to do for a while; get lost. (not to worry, we still had our phones for GPS)
We adventured to the Ponte Vecchio bridge, crossed the Arno River, visited shops and merchants, and walked aimlessly. After raining in the day, it was absolutely beautiful out and it was amazing to just take in the scenery.
For dinner we had our leftover pizza from Thursday!
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Saturday, October 6th, 2018
We finally got to sleep in!! We woke up around 11:30 am and adventured out for some breakfast! We went to a place near the duomo called "The American Coffee Experience" and unfortunately it was absolutely horrific. The coffee was good but it was probably the worst bacon egg and cheese on a bagel that I have every had, and it was expensive. I'll stick to the yummy local cafés from now on. After breakfast we walked around more and went into a few shops and then made our way to the grocery store where we needed to restock on some waters and oranges. The oranges here are absolutely amazing and EXTREMELY juicy. Since we got back I have been writing this post and tonight we are making pasta with meat sauce, may go to one of the clubs with the roommates, and tomorrow we go to Pisa!