Being a Tourist in Florence

I didn't have class today, so I was able to do some sightseeing. I was dressed in a UGA t-shirt and chacos with a camera in hand at all times. So yes, I was a true tourist today. It was great! Unfortunately, I slept in until 11:30 so I had a late start! I never sleep that late! Anyway, we tried seeing the David at the Accademia but the line was a mile long to get in. So, instead, we walked up 495 steps in the top of the Duomo and saw some fantastic views. I saw a hundred pictures. I felt bad for the guys. We must have asked them to take 20 photos of all of us girls. They had 12 cameras around their arms at all times :) We went to the San Lorenzo market. I was very tempted to buy a purse, but I'm trying to hold out until July 10 when the summer sales start. My self control is a little stronger. I have no idea how that happened, because as my parents very well know, I'm a purse fanatic. The leather here is incredible. Florence is definitely most known for their leather, gold, stationery, and meats. They have the cutest leather purses of various colors for like 20 euros. That's like TJ Maxx prices, so yes, I am getting some. Sorry mom and dad. Let's see.... what else did I do today... Oh, the girls I was with the first week in Tuscany all got together tonight to have a family dinner. We each brought something. I made bruschetta. Morgan brought amazing salad. Mallories and Darcy made the pasta. Emily brought two bottles of wine. And Jenna brought dessert! It was very delicious! Mallorie's apartment is 20 times nicer than mine, so we designated her apartment as the hangout spot. Making dinner in the apartment is very cost effective when everyone chips in. It only costs about two euros per person. Unfortunately, our apartments are not well equipped for cooking. Our dishwasher is broken, and we're pretty sure the oven doesn't work. We've been making pasta mainly and good dips. I've been eating a lot of paninis for lunch. Today, we found a panini shop where you can make your own paninis. A bottle of water and a really good panini only costed 3.5 euros. What a deal! Don't worry. We were ripped off later on when we got gelato near the Duomo for 8 euros each. Do NOT eat anywhere near a major historical museum or church. They know you are tourists so they rip you off. It doesn't matter how tired you are after climbing 495 steps and you're claustrophobic, don't do it. We think we need to buy a student museum pass. For 40 euros, I think we'll be able to get into a bunch of museums and skip some of the lines. Unfortunately, the pass doesn't get you into churches in Florence, so I don't know how helpful it will be. It's so hot here. I know it's hot in Roswell, but try living with no AC. Fans are breaking. Opening the windows at night does nothing. Bugs are everywhere. I sat in the shower today for thirty minutes and let ice cold water run on me. We've actually considered just sleeping in the shower or the tile floor in the bathroom. Madison and I have also suggested just sleeping naked because it is so unbearable. Traveling in Italy during the summer is probably not the best idea. Tourists are everywhere and walking around all day in the heat makes everyone in a bad mood. However, the city is more lively during the summer and the food is better. So.... as you all should know (but most likely don't), Italy beat Germany last night so Italy is playing Spain in the finals on Sunday. It is going to be crazy! We all want to buy Italia shirts for the game. We're getting back from Cinque Terre on Sunday just to be able to watch the game together. We watched the Italy vs. Germany game last night on the beach by the river. Huge screens were set up. There were probably 200 people there. All the locals were dressed in the Italia colors and guys were even were flags as clothing. This is a big deal. I can't imagine what the city will be like if they actually win on Sunday. I go to the beach tomorrow! Wooo!

P.S. My food writing teacher assigned me packets of reading. 5 packets at 20 pages each. No big deal. It's not like I have a life. Another tip: don't take two classes for study abroad. Stick to one class if you can. Trust me, it's enough.

Il Duomo

View from top of Duomo

Me :)

Morgan and I

The girlies :)

Santa Croce

Madison and I

Morgan, Joanna, Darcy, and Mallorie

walking down the steps from the top of the Duomo