Ciao from across the sea!
I have officially been in Florence for 5 days! It's crazy to think that this amazing city is my home now (well for the next 4 months that is). These past few days have been a whirlwind. Long days filled with school orientation, getting lost just trying to get to the grocery store, oh, and living out of only a carry-on because I lost my luggage!
But when life gives you lemons, just make some lemon-Chella!
This week we have explored our new city getting lost almost every time, but I can now report that I can make my way between many of the well-known spots around Florence. On Friday we had a walking tour with our school program and learned lots about the history of the city! Did you know that Florence was one of the first capitals of Italy!?
Our little apartment is located just a block away from the Duomo which has been incredible. It is truly the heart of the city, constantly bustling with energy at all hours of the day! Around our apartment is also one of the largest markets. It has everything and anything you could need such as Italian leather bags and belts, fresh produce, pasta, Tuscan wine, and even painted pottery.
On Sunday Elizabeth, Anna, and I woke up at the crack of dawn to take use of the free museum day (which is the first Sunday of every month!). We started at The Palazzo Pitti which is a very large Castle on the other side of the Arno. The Palace was built by Luca Pitti but then bought by the Medici family. Walking through the palace today I was completely in awe. Between the beautifully painted frescos on the ceilings as well as the large art collections displayed on every wall, I don't think I even blinked once!
After exploring the palace we set off to get lost in The Boboli Gardens. When I say lost I mean incredibly lost! We walked around for hours just exploring. Discovering fountains, hidden gardens, and even a lemon house!
Lastly, these past few days I have further fallen in love with Italian food! Everything here is so fresh. On our second night here my friends and I went to Osteria Santo Spirito a very famous restaurant on the other side of the Arno. I had the truffle gnocchi and it was AMAZING. While that meal set an extremely high bar - every meal has been just as good. We have had Florentine pizzas, lots of house wine, and lots and lots of gelato. Probably too much gelato, but I am bound and determined to find the best in the city. Hopefully, by the end of these four months, I will be able to give a full report!
Ciao for now, see you next week!
- Phebe