Ciao amici!

Hi everyone!

Well, I have had another fun-filled and exciting week here in Florence! I don't think I have ever been happier in my life than I am right now. It is truly a great place to live and learn.

I'll start off with food. I don't know why, but I feel like I've lost all of my cooking abilities since I've gotten here. My apartment isn't well equipped with the things I usually use for cooking, such as a baking pan, come on really? I have an oven, but I can't even use it! lol! I think I might just buy one at the grocery store. I think also, in my mind it's an inconvenience to have to cook during the school year, since I'm so used to just popping into the dining hall, eating and leaving. I cooked a lot over the summer, and enjoyed it, but I also didn't have much else going on besides working, going to the gym, eating and sleeping. Now I have classes, and places to go and studio. I'm trying to work on it though. It really adds up when you keep going out to get sanwiches, and pizza and stuff!

On a happier food note, I have discovered this great sandwich place all of my friends have told me about. It is called The Oil Shoppe! It is SO GOOD! Their panini are delicious, the prices are great, and the people that work there are so nice! I told them how my friends recommended that I go there, and that they all loved it! The next time I went in, I brought one of my friends and they gave me some fries for free! The last time I went I had a conversation with the sandwich maker about architecture and sustainabilty, etc. It was really cool!

I have also tried aperetivo. Aperetivo happens at restaurants usually from 6-9, and usually serves as a light meal before a big dinner, but my friends and I use it as our dinner! lol! It's a cool concept. You buy a drink, and then you make your way to a buffet filled with "appetizer" type foods, like bruschetta, pastas, rice, finger sandwiches, etc. And most of the aperetivo buffets are unlimited, so you can go up until you're full. The one we went to only cost 7 Euro altogether, and as low as 5 depending on what you get for a drink! My friends and I are going again tonight!

Last Friday, I went to Chiani (the school took us for "free")! We got a tour of a vineyard, which also makes olive oil, then we had lunch and a wine tasting! It was the best red wine I have ever had! After lunch we were free to explore around the vineyard, we went down and ate grapes off the vine, even though we weren't supposed to! They were amazing! And the views of the countryside were absolutely beautiful!

On Saturday, I went to Pisa and Lucca. Pisa was pretty cool. I got a picture taken of me, where it looks like I'm holding up the tower, so that was fun. The Baptistry and Cathedral were really cool! I was so impressed with the architecture and the art. Unfortunately, I was kind of turned off by Pisa. All around these beautiful buildings are rows and rows of tourist store carts, trying to sell you t-shirts, nick-nacks, shot glasses, etc, and people trying to sell fake bags and sunglasses. I feel like those beautiful buildings don't deserve to be disrespected like that. Overall, I'm glad that I got there, though.

In the afternoon we went to Lucca, a Medieval walled city 30 minutes outside of Pisa. It was a small, but really cool city. Everyone rented bikes and rode along the city wall, which was a lot of fun. There were some great views up there, and some cool ruins as well.

This week I have gone on some class field trips, too! For my villas and gardens class, we went to the Palazzo Medici in Florence, and the Medici Villa in Fiesole. The Palazzo was the main home of the Medici Family in Florence, and the Villa was their escape outside of the city. It's so cool to be in a class where we learn about the buildings on site rather than in a classroom with slides!

I also took part in an opportunity to experience the Terrace of the Duomo. Every year on September 8, the Terrace of the Duomo is open to the public for free. It is located around the perimeter of the roof. It was AWESOME! The views of the city from there were beautiful, and being so close the architectural structures and details of the cathedral was really cool! Afterwards, I walked to class, and I was so happy! I must have been glowing or something because one of my friends asked me if I had just gotten a haircut or something, because I just looked really happy, and I responded with, nope, but I was just on the roof of the duomo! It was funny.

Several trips have been planned and booked at this point. Tomorrow, I am going to Sienna, on a school run excursion, to see the town and explore. Then on Saturday and Sunday, my friends and I are doing an archaeological trip, Making stops in Pompei, Herculaneum and Sorrento! I am so excited! I have also booked my trip to Oktoberfest, which is going to be AWESOME! A lot of my friends are going the same weekend as me, so it should be a great time! For Fall Break, My friends and I are planning a trip to Greece, making stops in Athens, Santorini, and Crete! So far for hostels and flights, it's only 350 Euros (just under $500), so I'm thinking of traveling to a few more places as well during break!

I also found out recently that Mom and Dad are coming to visit in October for 12 days so that will be exciting! Dad surprised mom for her 50th birthday/ 26th aniversary, so romantic! Unfortunately, they'll be here during my mid-term exams, but I'm glad, because it will be nice having them around during such a stressful time! And their hotel is literally a five minute walk from my apartment, which is awesome!!!

Anyways, I have to get going, Sorry this one was so long! Enjoy!

Ciao for now,

Brian