Ciao from Firenze!

So I may have been one month late in starting to post the details of my semester abroad for the whole web universe to read.. okay or maybe just my parents and the one or two people bored enough to read someone else's encounters in another country..

Since I'm already 5 weeks behind I guess I should get started. Upon arrival to Florence, this city was a virtual unknown universe to me. All the talk of its beauty and charm didn't resonate with me until I stepped foot into the picturesque city I now call home. The first few weeks, what I refer to as my adjustment period was full of getting lost at night, eating all the Italian food I could, figuring out that keys and doors are not always consistent in which way they open, and learning how to avoid gypsies (still working on that one) for starters. Now, it seems as if time has flown as I am more familiar with this city and have finally found a place that has coffee in to-go cups (with lids!), something I definitely took for granted in the states (does referring to the U.S. as the states make me sound like I live in Europe? hm..)

Although there have been 5 weeks of adjustment in Firenze, and walking past the duomo on the way out of my apartment is a regular occurence, I still have not gotten used to the beauty of this city. Its cobblestone streets and old architecture, the view from the Arno River on the Ponte Vecchio and the fact that I can look out my window and see a huge, intricately designed cathedral is almost unreal.

I've learned a lot in the past weeks, from my classes, from traveling and from living in a city where many people dream to visit. One thing I have learned is that sometimes it is better not to see how the food you eat is made. I'm referring to my Pairing Food and Wine class where I got to see up close and personal how fried calamari is made. This sight included watching my teacher, Marco, cut open a small squid, stick his finger inside to remove the bone, cut out the eyeballs with a scissor.. need I say any more?

Now that I've began my blog, I will try to keep my reader(s)? interested by updating on a regular basis my encounters and adventures in Italy, as well as other cities in Europe.