La Dolce Vita

Wine Tasting

The best way to describe this last week is picturesque.  Despite the 15 minute Italian presentation I had on Tuesday, I went to a wine tasting with my professor and a few classmates on Monday evening.  My history professor wants all of us to know Florence well; she is always telling us where to buy leather, where to get a panino, and where to find cold medicine.  On Monday, she brought us to a wine tasting in an adorable wine cellar which used to be an old jail holding Machiavelli.  We learned how to note a good wine and how to turely appreciate the many flavors.  We tried a white wine and two reds, one of which was a Chianti Classico.  All three were fantastic.  We paired them with prosciutto, salami, bread, cheese, and tried different olive oils and balsamic vinaigrettes.  Most wines in the grocery stores only cost 1-5 euros and are decent, but now I want to splurge on more expensive ones to pair with dinners.
I had a few field trips last week to different churches and museums including the Palazzo Vecchio which I pass everyday but had never been inside.  The Medici family has to be the weathiest family in the history of the world. 
Thursday I spent some quality time by myself, enjoying a cappuccino far from the touristy city center and then sitting outside doing some sketches for my art class, updating my journal, and reading my history textbook.  I sat there in a sundress getting a bit of a tan while Italians walked by in their leather jackets and scarfs.  It was 80 degrees.  Even if I understand Italian fashion, I won't be comfortable wearing it until the end of the season, too hot!  That evening I went to visit the Italian family I have been paired with, and I had a lot of fun practicing my Italian and teaching one of the little girls English.  Their home is amazing and I am so happy every time I visit.  They are a 10 minute drive from my apartment, but it's like they live in the country.  They offered me fresh grapes on my first visit when we went to pick tomatoes.  Along the way to the tomatoes, they offered me my first fig from one of many trees, and we walked by olive, hazelnut, and walnut trees.  It's so refreshing to escape city life.

Manarola

Hike to Vernazza

Friday, Christine, Amelia, and I went to Cinque Terre.  It was their first time and I was very excited to see it again.  First we did the Walk of Love, Riomaggiore to Manarola, and then we did a hiking trail from Corniglia to Vernazza.  All of us enjoyed the beautiful landscape and it was fun to share the experience with people who were so excited about it.
Upon arrival in Vernazza, we heard music coming from the church.  We debated whether or not to go in wearing our hiking clothes, but the music was so beautiful we could not resist.  The second our feet crossed the threshold, before seeing the beautiful altar, Amelia and I started crying.  Not sure why, but the wonderful day and moving choir practice sparked intense emotions; it was an incredible moment.  Shocked at ourselves and thankful for the day and beautiful world we live in, the three of us sat down for a prayer and to listen more to the music.

Gelato by the sea

Regaining composure, we enjoyed the beautiful coastline of Vernazza with a gelato and our feet in the water.  After playing with a few crabs and hermit crabs, we caught a train to Monterosso where we enjoyed a delicious dinner.  We ordered trofie and pesto (a typical dish of the region) and fish ravioli with a zucchini sauce.  I had a delicious Cinque Terre white wine to accompany everything.  And then we did what we had been wanting to do all day.  We went for a swim.  By this point, the sun was setting, but the water was still rather warm and felt good after a long day of hiking.  Scared we would not catch the last train home, we eventually dragged ourselves out of the water.

Swimming in Monterosso

Saturday the good times continued.  I went with a large group of girls to the Chianti region for some horseback riding.  The views of the country were amazing and I am realizing that I am more of a country girl than a city girl.  I was beaming all day long after being around the horses. 
Following the ride, we went to Monteriggioni for a very large lunch and a wine tasting.  The town was adorable, especially on such a sunny day.  It was a wonderful Tuscan afternoon.

Chianti

After such a busy weekend, it felt wrong to sit around doing homework, so I went to the Uffizi to gaze at the art.  In a sense I was "doing homework" because I did some sketches.  Drawing and taking notes about artwork gives such a new meaning to a museum experience and I might continue the tradition even after this semester.  I absolutely love that museum and all the masterpieces.
Today I got to go to a luxurious Medici Palace during history class, so I think the week is starting off well.