Finally in Firenze!

After 10 days of 200 american students extensive traveling, group touring, and bus rides-all synonymous with chaos--we arrived in Florence. Initially I had anticipated to share a room in the pensione with a friend. However, due to the room lottery and, I think a stroke of fate, I ended up in a single room. With Monzie just across the hall, and my own private bathroom, I can say for certain that a greater force was at hand, because I struck the jackpot. The room is perfect. Quaint, and charming, with red curtains, old window frames and a random picture of the saints which dangles crookedly over my bed. Out my window, I view the street below and all the noise that comes with it. It’s unlike anything I’ve ever experienced.
    The city never sleeps and at first, neither do I. Its about 90 degrees at the moment, and my pensione does not have the luxury of air conditioning. With my window wide open, and the street mumbling in my ear, my first night alone is none the less than interesting. Dinner was served in a tiny room, filled with 28 americans all piled in to enjoy our first Italian meal, cooked by our host, Gloria. What we thought was our meal, was a massive plate of meat lasagna. It was so rich and buttery, the portion alone could cause coronary arrest. To our surprise Gloria brings out salad and roasted chicken as our second course, groaning and “ahhs" are the soundtrack for the meal. The second course was just as delicious as the first, and just as stomach-pain inducing. Red italian wine accompanied our meal, which was the cherry on top of the cake. Or maybe the italian ice cream sandwiches. Either way, Gloria is clearly set on a mission for me to no longer squeeze into my favorite jeans. After dinner, we walked around and looked at Florence. I can only imagine what it looks like in the day time, but at night, the city is radiant. Everywhere you look there’s something to see, or life buzzing around. From the carousel, to the street performers, Wednesdays are defiantly not just hump days. We all sat for awhile, just staring at the duomo and the Ponte Vecchio, pretty quiet, and in awe that our lives for the next 4 months would be consumed by this city. I am in love already. We wander back, drunk off our excitement and exhaustion, and I head up to my room. With the sounds of mopeds, crazy Americans, and Italian banter, I think I have found a new home. Tomorrow, first day of classes start. Though I am not anywhere near prepared for any sort of mental exertion, I am excited to really begin to learn not just about Renaissance literature and Roman architecture, but to learn Florence.