What a Weekend

Time is just flying by right now. I love being able to see everything, but at the same time that means less and less time I have left. We had no organized trips this weekend so my roommates and I just did a little bit of this and that. Friday we started the day by going to the central market where I got a kilo, 3 pounds, of cherry's for 2,50 euro; so delicious. And after we made our way to the Ponte Vecchio. It is lined with jewelry shops and all are amazingly beautiful. Today was a touristy day so of course we walked the 463 steps to the top of the Duomo and had a spectacular view of all of Florence. Then headed down the street to see David at the Acadamia Galleria. It was so cool to actually see Michelangelo's work; the David was so big and tons of detail, you could see the veins in his hands. To top the night off a group of us went to the super market got some food for dinner and hiked to Piazzale Michelangelo, which looks over all of Florence, and watched the sunset. I believe that was the perfect way to spend a whole day in Florence.

Saturday was such an experience; we made a day trip to Venice. I was in awe the whole day walking around and crossing bridges over canals. Everywhere I looked the background seemed like backdrops to a picture or something you see in a picture frame. The day in Venice consisted of taking a water taxi and seeing Venice that way and then walking all around until we reached San Marco, unfortunately the church was closed but we were able to see a demonstration on the glass blowing, aka how they make Venetian Glass. It was so cool; a guy made a horse within 3 minutes and it was a detailed horse! We also walked through the gallery and saw all sorts of glass that has been made, it was gorgeous. After we took a little brake and stood by the Grand Canal to watch all the boats pass by and feel the breeze. The whole day was just gorgeous and something you just have to do.

Sunday I experienced a real soccer game. It was ACF Fiorentina vs. AC Milan... unfortunately Florence lost, but I did get to see David Beckham. The experience was awesome and people chanting in Italian. The games get so crazy there taht Milan fans had a seperate section that has plexi glass walls that are like 20 feet high and a little fence at the top that makes a "Y" so you can't throw anything over. Crazy, but so much fun.


This weekend has been such an experience and I have loved every second of it. This week we get to go to Sienna and then the weekend we'll be going to Sorrento, Pompeii, Capri, and the Almalfi Coast.
Ciao Ciao

Munchen...AKA Munich, Germany

I just returned from Munich, which was a blast!! I feel like I did so much within 3 days. Well first we left and the bus ride took 11 hours!! Didn't get to Munich till 1:30. That was horrible. But the next day we all woke up bright and early to visit Dachau Concentration Camp. It was very eerie... You walk through the same gates that the prisoners came through. The fence that surrounded the camp was frightening, I only could imagine how many people may have died in the area I was standing. I walked through the barracks where they slept and then off to what is called "Barrack X" where I walked through the crematory room, onto the gas room, and also the waiting room where it was there turn next to "take a shower". I think that was the hardest part of the tour to see where so many people have died. It was a great experience though although it sounds daunting. But... we returned to the city central and that is when I got my first bratwurst.. DELICIOUS.
The next day we went on a bike tour of Munich. I loved it I saw so much of Munich that way and riding the bike was just relaxing. We did go through the English Gardens where we warned that there is a part of the park that we will pass where people are nude. By far that was just really weird/awkward to pass people who were naked. Other than that the tour was beautiful, Munich is beautiful.
Sunday was our day to return to Florence, but first we stopped off at the Neuschwanstein Castle. Disney based their castle off of this one. We had a guided tour through it and it was crazy. There were only 16 rooms actually finished and the whole 3rd floor not even done. The King who lived there was only there for 170 days!! And right after the king died it turned into a museum....
Overall the trip was awesome!! I had a lot of fun... lots of sausage! But an experience that i could never forget. If you have the chance go to Munich!!

ZOOM Zoom zoom...

Well yesterday I got hit by a motorcycle... What an interesting way to start off a trip in Florence. No worries I'm ok physically but mentally I'm paranoid :) The traffic here is crazy people weaving in and out of each other and I'm pretty sure there is no speed limits. And people don't really stop for pedestrians.
But the story... I was walking (in a crosswalk) and all the sudden we (my friend and I) hear a SCREECHH!! This motorcycle was flying around a corner, where we happen to be, and runs into us. It hit my arm and then knocked over my friend. She's ok just some bumps and bruises. But a police saw the whole thing and gave the motorcycle guy a ticket. Funny part is, the moto guy spoke English, while the police spoke NO English. So it was interesting trying to give information.
Other than that everything has been amazing here. I am loving my Italian Conversation class. Today my teacher was talking about bakeries and different sorts of breads and she asked us if we had had the schiacciata yet. All of us were like no, so she says ANDIAMO. And we walk to a place get some bread and it was so GOOD! Basically I love being taught Italian in Florence. So many benefits.

FIRENZE

Hello!
So I created this so I can update everyone on what is happening with me while I'm in Italy. As of now I've been to Rome and am now in Florence. Oh the things I have already seen in 5 days! In Rome I was able to see almost ALL of Rome. The major spots: Trevi Fountain, Colosseum, Spanish Steps, Pantheon, Vatican, St. Peter's, Sistine Chapel... It was so much fun.
Today I started my classes! I am taking Italian Conversation and Florence of the Medici. Both of these classes I am able to go into Florence and either practice my Italiano or learn the history of this beautiful city!!
I'm very excited for these next 6 weeks and all of the adventures along the way!

Arrivederci!!