Bliss...

Well it was another fast and furious week in Italy. These weeks are going by so fast, and thinking about the end is the most super depressing thing ever!

On Tuesday, in Art History we went to Santa Maria Novella, a church by the train station. The highlight here was a fresco that was the time perspective was used. There are also a lot of triangle effects that represent the trinity. Although everything we always do and see in Art History is awesome, the greatness of this class hit me on Friday outside of class.

On Friday I went into Florence for the day with a couple of girls, and it was a complete day of bliss. After a trip to the market for a panino (obviously) we went to the Uffizi. I don’t think I’ve mentioned this yet, but our program gives us this ballin’ passes that get us in to most of the museums in Florence for free. Once in the museum it was as if class was coming to life.

To best understand this experience it helps if you knew a little bit more about our professor. She is a genius. She knows everything about everything. And she likes to share everything about everything, so as enlightening as it is sometimes it’s a little overwhelming. But, when walking around witnessing these pieces first hand things start to make sense. Bits and pieces start forming complete thoughts. Imagine sitting in an Art History lecture on Thursday with a slide of Botticelli’s Birth of Venus, and on Friday seeing the real thing… ya that’s my life.

The only bad thing about the Uffizi (and I dare say the only bad thing to happen all day) was this guy threw up in the hall way. Ya, forreal. It was strange. Yet, I’m not even sure how bad of a thing that is, because now we have a funny story to tell. How many people can say they were at one of the world’s most renowned art galleries and a guy threw up and passed out? I can!

Then we got to a corner of the Uffizi where beauty moves from the inside to the outside- the city of Florence. There is a breathtaking view of the city from up here and it was an exceptionally sunny clear day, making it that much better. It was at this point we decided to venture around outside- it was great to not feel guilty about leaving the museum without seeing absolutely everything considering we got in free and will be going back often.

So we left, and I ran face first in to a sign making a group of Italian laugh ridiculously hard and reinforcing the stereotype of dumb blonde Americans, but life goes on. Anyways, we went to what is now my favorite street in Italy- Ponte Vecchio. It’s actually a bridge, and it is the only bridge that survived WWII. Most of the stores on this street are jewelry stores- so you literally walk by windows and windows of jewelry (so ya I’m in heaven). I could spend a whole day taking in all the jewelry! Then in the middle of the street there is this fenced in fountain thing that couples put locks on to lock in there love! It was so romantic. The couples put their initials on the locks, and even a couple were engraved. It was so touching. There is also a not too shabby view of the city from the bridge. I also had my first cannoli in Italy while on this street… so I think it’s pretty obvious why Ponte Vecchio is now my favorite.

Anyways it was a day of complete bliss in Florence.

Saturday we traveled to Pisa and Lucca. And by “we” I mean everyone in my program basically. It was not a class organized trip but basically everyone went there this weekend. Pisa is pretty cute, typical Italian city and basically what there is to do there is see the leaning tower. So we did just that, and obviously took super touristy pictures of each other holding up and pushing the tower. I was a good time. Although most of the time I think we all attempt to blend in with the culture as much as possible (which is not much but we try) but here you just have to throw in the towel- you’re a tourist, embrace it.

We then took a twenty minute train to Lucca. Lucca, on the other hand, is not touristy at all. The town of Lucca is enclosed by a wall, so you can literally do circles around the city. So, we rented bikes and did just that. It was picturesque, every once in awhile I would pause and ask myself if this is really my life. The city is like from a story book. There were tons of Italian families out with their kids riding bikes and roller blading, couples out for an afternoon stroll, and old men playing chess. It was serene. Mom, you wanted me to check out Lucca to see if you guys should go- GO! It is such a leisurely and peaceful experience. Plus, we got this amazing crepe with nutella it was so warm, which felt great on our cold hands after the bike ride.

I think what I am enjoying most about our trips is the lack of pressure to do everything. We are always doing something, going somewhere, but with no real agenda. Most of the time who you go with often changes- yesterday I showed up with a completely different group that I left with. Everyone does whatever is pleasing to them, it is not a stressful, trying to squeeze as much as humanly possible into a day kind of thing, and I’m definitely digging that. I’m beginning to understand that I am going to be here for months not days, in fact I think it was just this morning that it hit me that I LIVE here.

Here’s what I’m looking forward to in the future… Italian Opera Tuesday with the whole program! Next weekend Bologna and Verona. Rome with the class. Spring break in Spain. Weekend trips to Amsterdam, London, and Sicily. My family and Uncle Dan, Aunt Amy, Bri and hopefully Ry coming. (Sorry Aunt Kathy, Jenni and Gam not as excited for your visit because it means the end for me) Going broke… eeh, not too excited for that one, o well you only live once!

Although all of this is so exciting, I’m trying to enjoy every moment and every day. Everything I do is better than the last. Everything I eat is better than the last. Everything is wonderful. That’s why I titled this entry Bliss. Because my life is complete and total bliss.

And for that I must now devote a few sentences to my parents. Thank you so much for giving me this opportunity. I promise to not take it for granted and enjoy everything. You guys are the greatest, like seriously the greatest, and for that I love you soooo very much. Thanks again, you rock! Love and miss you, can’t wait to see you!

That’s all for now, Ciao!