first shopping experience...

today the girls and i went to san lorenzo market about 10 minutes from our apartment. it is right next to the duomo and is a popular place for both tourists and locals. there are big carts set up on the streets selling anything and everything leather, scarves, soccer jerseys, jewelry and glass art. the whole experience was so exciting but completely overwhelming. it took us 4 hours to get through the entire thing. its a little frustrating because i knew that i wanted to get a leather bag and gloves and jacket--i figured that italy would be the best place to get them. and while i found TONS of beautiful things, they were all more expensive than i had expected. we all agreed that since we are here for so long, we have time to be picky and we didnt need to buy things right away--but its hard to know where to get the best value for the best price. we went from cart to cart looking at EVERYTHING and making a mental note of the prices so that we could compare and contrast with the other vendors. we met one vendor who spoke wonderful english and when i asked where she was from she said canada. she went on and on saying how she would look out for us and help us find what we needed. she told us that not everything is authentic even though it may look and feel like italian leather. but after we had finished talking with her, we realized that she may not even be from canada--maybe she just learned english because it helps american customers to trust her. the minute we heard her speak we all felt a little at ease--but you cant help but feel skeptical underneath it all. its hard to know that you cant really trust anyone to give you honest answers--its all about money and how much they can get you to buy. after the 4 hours of looking, i was the only one who still hadnt bought anything. i then found the most adorable pair of leather gloves at the last cart. they were camel brown with red stitching all over with a cashmere lining inside--but when i heard the price i had to say no. that particular vendor was not in the mood to debate prices with me. i know that i have plenty of time to find just the right bag, jacket and pair of gloves, but it would be nice to use them while i am here which is why i wanted to try and find them towards the beginning. at least i have an idea of what i am looking for after today. we all are planning to go back again and i think ill take bubba there when he gets in town.

tonight we are making dinner at the apartment and staying in! tomorrow morning we are leaving for lucca, assisi, pisa, perugia, san gimignano, siena, greve in chianti and vicchiomaggio castel (castle) for wine tasting. we will be gone for 3 days!!

i did find a cord to upload pictures but our internet connection is a little slow so as soon as i get back from the weekend trip, i will spend some time and put them on the page. 

have a wonderful weekend!!!!

lovelovelove

just the beginning...

oh my gosh i don't even know where to begin. everything is just amazing! 

after the looooong flight here i checked into a really cute little hotel right on the river. i had planned to try and stay awake and grab some dinner so i could go to bed at a normal time so that my clock wasnt all turned around. but i was so tired and fell asleep around 4 in the afternoon and woke up around 1am. It was so hard for me to fall back asleep and when i finally did, i overslept and missed my alarm! by the time i got to the school to pick up my keys for the apartment it was noon. i was so excited to see the apartment!! i took another cab with all my luggage from the school to the apartment and when i got there, one of my roommates, whitney, was standing outside. she had been there a few hours and was the first of us to arrive. she was so cute to help me carry all my bags up two flights of stairs!! the second i walked into the apartment i was totally shocked--it was ADORABLE! i will upload pictures as soon as i can--i think i left the cord to connect my camera to my computer at home but one of the other girls is bound to have one that will work. the whole place is done with ikea furniture and pictures. we even have a little flat screen tv! i saw that there were four bedrooms--three with two beds and then a single room. i had decided a while back that if i could have a single room i would take it. i love being with new people but i also like having my own space. 

the rest of the day was a blur!! the other roommates came and with seven of us, it was just loud and fun getting to know everyone. cory and her friend from syracuse lauren (but we all call her by her last name, sisca) took one of the rooms up in the front of the apartment. whitney and steph (both from fairfield but they didnt know eachother) took another room up front. the last two girls alenea and marin (friends from home who both go to mulenberg) took the room in the back next to mine. we only have two bathrooms but its worked out so far. 

all of my roommates are so fun! each of them have their own personalities and its great to have that many people together. we all agree that our personalities are a perfect combination for one another. we also think we have the best apartment!! 

the building we live in is in a great part of town. on our street we have a couple little resturants, a bakery right below us and a wine bar! the grocery store is right by school which is only a few blocks from our place. the walk to school is so beautiful. we have the most amazing piazza a block from our house where they have open-air markets every sunday. at the back of the piazza is a HUGE church! it is so gorgeous!  every time we are all walking somewhere we always stop and say "oh my gosh can you believe that we are actually here?" it is refreshing to be surrounded by people who appreciate the experience as much as you do. 

last night we all went out for the first time to a local club. it was crazy! all 7 of us were dancing the entire night. the other thing i love about the girls i live with is that they seem really loyal. we are always looking out for eachother. it might seem odd that ive only known these girls for three days because we act like weve known each other for years. the program has a lot of students--maybe 50--but nobody else seems to have as much fun as we do. so for now, our apartment pretty much sticks together. 

well i think thats it for now! we have orientation in an hour where they walk us around the city to show us where our classes are. afterwards, i think the 7 of us are going to just wander around the city and find a fun place for dinner. 

molly-i cant wait for you to come visit!!!! get your sassy self here as soon as possible!!

mom and dad-give taco tummy and the rest of the babies a big kiss for me

bubba-get ready for the time of your life when you get here! 

julianna-i have been writing everyday in the journal you gave me!! thank you again.

lovelovelove

finally have internet!!!!!

oh wow i have so much to write about because this is the first time i have had internet since ive been here!!! i am using the computer at school but am on my way to pick up my laptop from the internet store here. i will make sure and write all about everything later today..i just dont have enough time right now!!! everything is absolutely perfect and i cant wait to fill yall in on my adventures!!!!

lovelovelove

almost there...

well my trip has officially started! i am currently at the airport in arizona waiting for my flight to denver. from there, i will take a flight to frankfurt and connect to one more flight to florence.

it was so hard saying goodbye to mom and dad. i was crying on my way through security and the guards were so nice. they kept offering me tissues as they checked my bags. i know that this entire experience is going to be nothing short of amazing but for now, i am still incredibly nervous. 

mom and dad--thank you again. i love you both more than i could ever explain. i am so lucky to have you both. make sure and give all the animals big kisses for me.

hopefully, ill be able to update several times today throughout my travels. so, stay tuned!!

lovelovelove

a week away...

ciao!

welcome to my italy blog!! while in florence, i will be writing as much as possible about my experiences throughout the next four months. please keep in touch and remember that i am only a plane ride away, so feel free to come and visit!!

lovelovelove