Life in Firenze

It is so beautiful here! But it is getting hot. I am somewhat settling into the day to day life and also schoolwork. We have our daily walk to school, which takes us across Piazza San Lorenzo and there is a beautiful gigantic church, cobblestone streets, fountains, a carousel and large wonderful arches that we pass by. We stop at a little caffe where the Italian businessmen order their morning breakfast and get a cappuccino and a brioche or croissant. Yesterday we went shopping at a wonderful italian department store, Oviesse, and I got a complete beach ensemble for when we go to the Amalfi Coast and also to Cinque Terre. We also went to the Mercato Centrale last night which is like a large flea market full of wonderful italian goods like leather, pottery, scarves, purses, etc. I got a wonderful florentine ring and some gifts for my mom and sister. We wondered around and say the Medici palace, the historic family that ruled the area. After that we had dinner at ZaZa, a highly recommended restuarant in town that our Italian landlord suggested, also in a Rick Steves book. The decor was kind of kitsch but had a rustic flair with mismatched tables and chairs, quirky animal print dinner plates and vibrant colors on the wall. The food was amazing! Best pizza in Italy thus far (I think only Naples will top it). Also, I ordered our entire meal in Italian!! I know that may not be that amazing but it was pretty exciting for me and my roommates were impressed. I try to the best I can with my little Italian for Dummies book, I think half the fun is tossing around a phrase or two in Italian while around the city. Since we dont have school tomorrow we are going to go to Space Electronic, a local club that one of our teachers called a 'Gonzaga tradition since 1996'. Tomorrow we might go to the Florence outlets since we didnt make it there the other day. For the first time in a long time I feel happy. I feel very akin to how Elizabeth Gilbert felt in Eat Pray Love, like I am on a similar journey that she was on in some ways. And Italy has the ability to rejuvinate and awaken the mind, body and spirit. The food is wonderful, friends are amazing, and I am constantly busy with things to do, see and learn.