city life

I finally got my hands on a rental cell phone today, which will help me much especially when school starts. A few of my school friends here decided they were going to search out an Italian beach today, but I declined and decided to rather get a few errands done instead. I also trekked around the city for about 7hrs with a bike that my host mum is loaning me. It doesn't have any gears to switch to, but it works. So I got a workout today while exploring at the same time. Some views of what I came across:

a woman's chalk painting in the middle of a heavily traveled pedestrian area


a random street I turned down into with my bike while exploring

photos, finally!

Here are a few of my shots from the past two days. I am SO happy I have a card reader now, although it took a few employees at an electronic store having to track down a fellow English-speaking coworker to figure out just what I was saying/looking for. More photos to come soon.

the Arno River, which borders Florence to the south. I bike over this each day on my way into town.

another view of the Arno

my bike path along the Arno

let's not forget rows upon rows of scooters, which rule the city

my cute, narrow room


desk area


view from bedroom window


living room

waiting for the start

I'm looking forward to starting school more and more. It ends up that I don't start orientation until tomorrow, and then school finally starts on the 8th. I love the "mum" I'm living with, Ms. Elisabetta Vannini. She speaks Italian, Spanish, French and English. Out of the languages that I can speak also, she's much more comfortable with French than English, so it's neat that I'm relying on my French much more than I thought I would. We speak about 70% French and 30% English. Her daughter Alice seems very cool (has a ton of American movie posters in her room like Pulp Fiction) but I haven't met her yet.

I'm getting to know the city of Florence little by little. I learned yesterday that you really must pay attention which way the bus is headed when it stops at a location. I was so excited that a bus was my line number (#31, #32, #33) that I immediately hopped on it yesterday. It took me way out of town into tiny suburbs. When I started to lose sight of large buildings and churches, I knew I was in the wrong place. The bus got to the end of the line, everyone got out, and I was still just sitting there. So I cautiously asked the bus driver if the bus would be returning into Florence. And of course I asked in English. He shook his head, crossed his arms, and I gathered from his Italian that he only spoke French and Italian. Another test for my French. I don't think he was impressed though, cause he just tapped his watch in my face and counted out the 10 minute wait with his fingers then walked away. I just meekly walked back onto the bus and selected a back seat. Finally, 20 min later, I was back into town. An interesting experience nonetheless. Luckily though I learned from it and the 3-4 times I used the line again, I haven't picked a wrong direction line.

I was suppose to have my first day of orientation today, but when I showed up this morning, they indicated to me that my school region goes tomorrow, and students more in the northeastern US went today. So I had a healthy, wandering walk about the city and then (successfully!) found my way back to the apartment on Via B. Accolti again. My feet need to toughen up a bit...they're use to being car-pampered. So I slept for 5 hours. Overall, a good and relaxed day.

Tomorrow is orientation and I also need to track down a digital SD card reader for my camera. I remember specifically putting it in my suitcase, but I switched suitcases before leaving home so alas, I don't have one now. Need...photos...photo-imaging brain...is...thirsty....

Ciao Firenze!

flying into Florence/Firenze


Made it successfully into the city via my connection in London just fine. Had a thrilling time with the taxi driver from the airport. I didn't even know it was possible to zoom down these narrow streets in tandem with other vehicles, but he pulled it off! I got about 3 hours of sleep on my 8hr flight from Atlanta to London. British Airways was a pleasure to fly with, just as they say. There's something adorable about classical music playing during boarding. Even more so when we bump onto the runway in London, and the second we do, the music bursts out in an orchestral trumpet. Oh, the British. I love them so. Tomorrow I head to the Lorenzo De.Medici (LDM) housing office where they.ll set me up with my family stay. Staying in the heart of Florence for a night in a hotel is a fun experience, but I.m looking forward to making some friends here and not just being another strange face in the traveling crowd.

Until then...


near the London airport


taking a train from one London terminal to the other, and of course it's raining in Britain. go figure.