Buongiorno

Food.  That's the first thing people think of when I say the word Italy.  For the first day and a half, I did not like the food.  Even the tiramisu was not to my liking.  I think the plane food and lack of sleep did something to my taste buds.  Thankfully, I have since enjoyed a mozzarella panino, salads, pastas, gnocchi, and profiteroles.  Some of the best meals I have ever been served!  I'm not sure how I feel about gelato, not my thing.  That could be a blessing in disguise though.

Our delicious first homemade meal

My first few days here have been exhausting and beautiful.  The sun is one of my favorite things about Florence.  The way it reflects of the river, lights up the statues, and soaks into the yellow and orange buildings is incredible.  My apartment has a small balcony where I stand to check the weather in the morning.  I always see a bright robin's egg blue sky and feel a refreshing chill under the shade of our building.  My apartment is very spacious and filled with my five wonderful roommates.  We have been exploring the city together, busy with orientation but still enjoying the beautiful sites.  I am hoping to have time to go to the touristy sites soon.

Ponte Vecchio and the Arno River

 
Ho parlato italiano!  I have spoken some Italian while ordering things, when meeting people, and when discussing the broken laundry machine with our landlord and handyman.  It's exhilarating!  Today I went to mass at the Duomo's Baptistery and actually understood bits and pieces of the service.  It was a very intimate service with maybe only 20 people.  The Baptistery is a simple but breathtaking building and I hope to continue going there for Italian mass.  This weekend I will go inside the Duomo which is sure to be more ornate inside judging by the facade.  I am so excited to see it!