September 22, 2011

September 22, 2011

Guess what?! I got one hundred percent on my Italian midterm! I am so relieved and so happy that it is over. Because of the midterm, we got out about an hour earlier than usual. I ate my lunch with a few other people and then decided to head out on a little adventure through Florence. Today, all of the kids in the drawing class had their orientation but, being one of the few who is not taking that class, I had the entire afternoon free. I started out wandering through the markets, buying a few scarves for gifts. I made my way through the street to Piazza della Signoria and then wandered the streets behind the palace. When I came to Florence on choir tour, we sang on the steps of a church and, until yesterday, I could not figure out which church that was and in which piazza. I showed a photo of us singing there to Jodie and she recognized it as Santa Croce, pretty much the only big place we have not yet been to. I looked on a map yesterday and saw that it was somewhere behind Piazza della Signoria. So, today, I set out to find it. It was not difficult at ALL to find. Plus, on the way, I found so many cute little shops, which made it so much fun. When I came into the piazza, Santa Croce ahead of me, I immediately recognized it. It was kind of a déjà vu moment. Ahead of me were the steps on which we had sung, to my left was the restaurant where Ryan, Joe and I had the best fettuccini alfredo in the world, also on the left, but further down, the leather shop where I bought my purse…it was really fun to relive all of that. And, this time, in the sunshine! I explored around that area for a while and then wandered down another street that lead to the river. I crossed the river and could see all the way to the mountains on one side and Ponte Vecchio on the other. Once I had crossed the bridge, I walked toward Ponte Vecchio along the river. I window-shopped and wandered down some of the back streets, full of little shops, where there were not as many tourists. I started getting pretty warm so I started heading back toward school, stopping in a few more shops and stores along the way.

I got back to the school around 3:30, checked my email and then went to catch the bus home. When I got to the bus stop near Gelatteria de Medici, I had a sudden craving for gelato so got off. I got a little cup of crema de Medici and walked the last ten minutes home. As I was walking home, all of the school kids were on their way home in their little uniforms! When I got home, Massimo and Marco were there! However, it was late enough that Marco was just going down for his nap so I didn’t get to play with him much today. And Massimo fell asleep while watching cartoons. Apparently it was an exhausting day! Instead I finished my Italian homework for Monday as well as my homework for Dante. I’m putting off packing because I don’t know what I want to pack, so I decided to write my blog instead :) I’d better tackle the packing, though, so I can get to bed at a reasonable hour tonight-I have to be up by 6:00. More later! Wish me luck with packing :P

I finished up my packing without a problem! I have a few things I have to pack in the morning but I am done with everything I can do tonight! Before dinner, I took a shower and did some stretching. For dinner this evening we had a kind of garbanzo bean soup. I don’t know what all was in it but it was very good. For our main dish, Daniella and Franzi had chicken with lemon and I had a veggie burger with the same flavoring. For dessert we had fresh, crisp apples (I miss the apple orchard!) and ice cream bars. Very yummy :)

After dinner, I straightened my hair so it might be easier to deal with in Venice. I’m sure it will find some way to misbehave nonetheless, but I figure it’s worth a shot. Now I’m posting my blog and I’ll be off to bed very soon here. We just got word that the bus actually leaves at 7:30 so we need to be there by 7:15…so a little earlier than we thought but it won’t be too bad. If we go to bed around 10:00, we should get about eight hours of sleep. Plus, we can sleep on the three-hour bus ride to Venice, so I’m not too worried. Remember, I won’t be posting any blogs until Sunday night or Monday! Whatever will you do without a blog post?! Just kidding…I really do appreciate all of you who do read this though :) Okay, I must stop rambling and get this posted so I can get some sleep.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Kari

Ponte Vecchio 

Santa Croce