Mi dispiache

So, I am apparently terrible at blogging... Sorry y'all but on the few bad days I feel like a jerk complaining about Italy, and on the good days I just want to soak it all in. 

For the record, things are incredible. I've been reading a lot. I can't remember being happier. 

I can't believe I'm getting paid to do this.

So, after having been here a bit over two weeks, life here is starting to feel (somewhat) normal. The work is interesting and challenging. I'm cooking and eating a lot of delicious food. I'm walking a lot (everywhere, actually). Becca and I are working and living together wonderfully.

Last weekend we took a trip to the Tuscan countryside and coast with a visit to Giglio Island (bluest water I've ever seen) and Volterra (Etruscan city, where Renaissance architecture is "modern").

Couple of pictures below, more posts soon!

settling in

So, I'm a day shy of a week here and finally getting on the correct time zone and feeling like I know where I'm going when I leave my front door. The past few days have included many meandering walks, stops for espresso and cappuccino, writing notes, and daily photos. We have an open air market just around the corner which is great for stocking up on fruits and veggies, bread (HOLY JESUS FOCCIA IS AMAZING), and eggs. We also have a super market and dollar store around the other corner, which has been super convenient. The dollar stores here are way better than the ones at home. They have ALL THE THINGS. I did have a bit of culture shock last week while I was getting acclimated, but the more comfortable I feel, the less it seems to be an issue. 

Also, I know this sounds unreal, but before yesterday I seriously had not yet considered (like, even once) where I wanted to travel during my time here. Then, last night, I looked at a map and went a little nuts. It's really exciting how close EVERYTHING is. My goal is to strike a balance between getting rest and feeling like I live in Florence, and not feeling like I have squandered the opportunity of living in Europe. Thankfully, there are lots of great trips that can be made within a day of Florence, and with classes only Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday, that should be totally do able. 

Today is the first day of classes. We interpreted one lecture class already called 'Gardens of Love' about the history and architecture of gardens which was interesting because a) I've never thought about gardens as anything other than, "Plants. Pretty." b) The professor has an architecture degree and art history degree, seems brilliant in both fields, c) she knows how to work with interpreters! Super yay! Next we've got an Italian immersion class... which should be interesting to say the least!

I decided before I left not to bring a digital camera because I hate when I get so caught up in capturing something in a picture that I don't experience it. Besides, the pictures rarely ever even get close to capturing said experience anyway. So, I invested in an instant camera and am taking a picture a day, which is not only a fun way to document my daily goings on, but a cool representation of how much time has passed since I am hanging them on my wall. Today's picture: classic first day of school shot in front of the door!