texas gelato!

A few days after I arrived home my dad decided to treat me to a little gelato- of course knowing about the withdrawals I was having.  As expected, it wasn't the same as Florentine gelato (gelato was invented in Florence) but it wasn't too bad.  I had pistachio and chocolate, and my dad had something with almond,  I think he made a better choice.  But that's okay :) 

Wasn't intentional to get my little gelato friend. 

Pistachio/Chocolate

Thanks Dad!

with a cherry on top?

At my favorite gelato place there is a flavor called 'morena' and although i don't know the english translation, it's super delicious.  One of my favorite parts- the cherry they put on the bottom of the cone.  Not because I like cherries- in fact I actually never eat it.  I just think it makes it special :) 

Ellen

Saturday and Sunday!

 I am obviously going a little slow!  But here we go, Saturday morning started early where we met my art history class in Pisa for a day trip to Pisa and Lucca.  We of course started off our day with cappuccino number 7 and 8.  Where I saw my first sighting of latte art!!!!  I of course photographed it to share with y'all.

The closest thing I've seen to latte art! Pisa- Italy

In front of the leaning tower with Dad

We then went into every. single. museum.  Pisa had to offer.  In about 3 hours.  It was pretty intense, but cool at the same time.  I am really glad I got to see the Leaning Tower with my dad, it was the first time both of us had seen it, and really cool that we got to do it together.  After a quick lunch break we got on the train for Lucca! 

On the train headed for Lucca! 

 This was actually one of my favorite parts of the day.  It was so cool to jsut hop on the train with my dad and buzz over to another little town.  Once in Lucca we walked around for a bit before we met up with my class.  We then toured the beautiful, quaint city of Lucca.  Where I personally left a little piece of my heart,  it has definitely been one of my favorite places in Italy.  If not my favorite all together.  It just had a charm to it that is hard to find in a big city like Florence.

Lucca

During our afternoon trip we took advantage of the break to enjoy cappuccino 9 and 10 and scope out some good places for dinner.  Once we finished our tour we headed to a tasty fish place for dinner, and headed home.  Which actually ended up being pretty crazy because our train wasn't running so we had to take a bus to another train station.  It ended up working out even though I was little scared! 

Dad at the top of San Miniato- enjoying the view of Florence.

Sunday was a bit of a slower day, I mean what else do you expect after a full day with Helen? We started off the day with breakfast and cappuccino 11 and 12 then hiked up to San Miniato, a church up on a hill in Florence.  It has a great view of the city and I personally enjoy the hike.  

Festival de Gelato!  The oldest gelato place in Florence! 

After we relaxed a little and took in the gorgeous view we had a deeelightful brunch at the bottom of the hill.  This could possibly be one of my favorite meals I have had all of 2010.  It was sooo good, and of course it was a lot of fun!  I can't wait to go back!  After lunch we were pretty full and spent the afternoon walking around popping in and out of shops and just enjoying the city.

Cappuccino and swan cream puffs.  So good! 

We continued to enjoy cappuccino 13 and 14 spent time in Piazza Duomo, did some people watching. We even went back to the international festival to get round two of smurf gummies! Overall I had an excellent weekend with my dad and made so many memories that I will have forever.  Thanks for coming Dad, it really means a lot to me, I really enjoyed seeing the city with you.
Ellen

Thursday and Friday!

Starting with Thursday night.

My dad arrived Thursday night around 9:15, after walking to his hotel (yes, we walk EVERYWHERE- speaking of, I have only been in a car three times in the last four weeks, two of which happened this weekend) we went out for some good eats! Although I don’t have any pictures, this was my favorite meal of the whole weekend, and the best I have had in Florence!  We had a five-course pasta sampler followed by chicken curry for me, and fresh (raw) fish for my dad!  Then we of course finished the night with tiramisu! I mean what else would you expect in Italy?  This meal ended pretty late, so afterwards we headed home. 

Friday morning I met my dad at the hotel and had a delicious breakfast!  Muesli with yogurt and peaches, accompanied by a cappuccino (number 1 and 2).  Afterwards we put on our comfortable shoes and climbed to the top of the Duomo!  I forget the exact number but somewhere around 450 steps to the top.  Think about it this way- if it’s 25 steps to the second floor of a building we walked up 18 floors.  It was sooo worth it.  It was truly a great way to start out the day.

Inside of my favorite room in the Palazzo Vecchio. 

After that we walked through the famous leather market, and then of course the central market!  One of my favorite parts of Florence!  I then went on to take my dad to see my schools campus, and to News Cafe to have cappuccino number 3 and 4.  Once we refilled on caffiene we walked through the Palazzo Vecchio, it was so beautiful!  I found it really interesting because in most of the rooms the walls were bare and white washed, but the ceilings were magnificent!  We then made our way across the Ponte Vecchio, the famous bridge that is full of jewelry!

The famous Ponte Vecchio!

We then had lunch at Mama Gina where we enjoyed some delicious ribollita!  A tuscan specialty! Of course followed by espresso number 5 and 6.  After lunch we walked around, did a little shopping, and just hung around the city.  We had dinner at a place called yellow, went out for some gelato and called it a night!  Overall we had a great day in Florence.

And for today I am making chicken noodle soup for dinner.  (Mom I didn't even use a recipe, and it's completely homemade, plus it's my first time to make it!)  All of my roommates are sitting in the kitchen drooling over the lovely aroma filling the air.  I just might have to share! 

Have a great day friends and family! 

I miss y'all! 

Ellen

Wednesday.

Wednesday. 

Wednesday morning I had class till noon. 

Wednesday I went to an Italian bakery for lunch. 

Wednesday afternoon I went shopping for class supplies. 

Late Wednesday afternoon I found an upscale grocery. 

On the way home on Wednesday I saw some pretty flowers. 

Wednesday evening I had this for dinner. 

Wednesday night I went out for gelato with some friends. 

I like Wednesday. 

today- which was really yesterday

Today was a good day, to put it in plain words.

It was my first day of class in Florence!  What an adventure! It was fun, and really got me excited about classes (as if I weren’t already wetting my pants over it).  After class Amanda and I walked around a little, then went to the market to pick up a few things.  Then I came home relaxed, read a little, and made dinner.  Which was sautéed chicken onions garlic and tomato, I think it turned out pretty good.  Now I am hanging out with some friends while we plan a trip to Switzerland before our Italian class tonight!

View from where I am sitting right now (in my apartment)

All of this actually happened yesterday- then it started to rain and the internet couldn't handle all of the extra moisture, so that is why I am posting it today. 

Oh and our Italian teacher never showed up.  So we ended up just leaving.  When we proceeded to get lost for 30 minutes.  But then rewarded ourselves with gelato for getting on the right path again. 

Gotta love Florence. 

Ellen

Welcome to Italy!

I have just hit the ground running since leaving the United States.  After a safe arrival in Florence I definitely got a European slap in the face.  First off in the water closet, which literally is a closet.  In Rome I had to change planes and used the restroom, my first Italian experience.  Only to be followed by an excessive amount of staring and weird looks given by the Italian women when I brushed my teeth in the airport bathroom.  What fun.  As soon as I arrived in Florence- SACI staff was there to meet us with Orientation Packets and apartment keys!

Boston on the right and Rome on the left

I love my apartment!

So not to be snobby or anything but I honestly (honestly) think that I live in the best apartment.  We have 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, an outdoor terrace, a kitchen (with a dishwasher!), two sitting rooms- among 4 girls!  Just to give you a comparable, the girls next door have 5 girls and 1 bathroom.   Yikes!  Oh and another bonus was the hangers, blow-dryer, straightener, ironing board and iron already here!

View of the Arno River from my terrace

Soon after I arrived we (my roommates and I) went to our school for the first time.  What should have taken 10-15 minutes took us about an hour and a half!!! We probably saw every Piazza and walked in at least 7 circles, it was a grand time.  Somewhere in all of this- I had my (get ready) first cappuccino.  It was less than disappointing.  Not only was it lukewarm- but they gave it to me in a styrofoam cup!

So instead of showing you that mess, here is my second cappuccino.  It was pretty good.  

What do you think dad?

Although I was really rushed drinking it, I don’t know why but I feel like everyone (as in SACI students) are always in such a rush!  I don’t get it.  But that’s okay. 

Friday morning we started orientation- which is basically 6 different walking tours of the city.  Which I don’t hate because I am already getting to know my way around!

I opted for the fancy water and still saved 12 Euros. 

Friday was also the day I decided to carry around 6L water in my arms as well as groceries, my camera and other belongings on my back.  I was sweating once I got back to my apartment.

 I have also been taking full of the gelato that is basically 5 meters. 

Gelato eaten by the Duomo- but not purchased there. 

All of this to say I am having a great time! We had our first family dinner tonight, and are about to go out for some gelato with a few other girls! (More to come soon!)

Have a great day in America! 

Ellen