Day Two in Florence

Start from bottom to top.. its backwards sorry!

^Orientation Dinner with the whole group. It

was alot of fun and we got to know everyone. Now the food thats another story... the pasta yum! the wine yum! the raw meat that they call ham it will take some getting used to! but im trying!

Hanging out at our house before dinner!

Gelato seriously the best
ice cream ever! bad news
for me!

Taking a break after all the walking.

Waiting on our bridge. Adria, Ashley and I. This is our main meeting place and it is amazing to see in the mornings!

Not to sure what he was doing but he liked us. He didnt talk he just stood there but when we would pass he would wave and give thumbs up. It reminded me of New Orleans... a little taste of home!

Notice the gypsy. She has the long skirt with the scarf wrapped around her face. They are everywhere! Showing you pictures of their children and trying to get money!

The Pensione. This was where the gelato festival was. On the left is the carousel and on the is the gelato booths.

The golden doors. These are not the orignal doors, those are on the other side of this building but these were built to face the front of the Duomo.

The Duomo! Absolutely beautiful. It is full of detail in the architecture on the outside. The statues and paintings and engravings are amazing. It makes you feel as if you are as small as an ant.

Dantes House. It was interesting to see and hear about but we didnt do the museum because it is only interesting if you big into Dante.

We went on a walking tour after our orientation meeting. They took us around town and made the circle around town between the piazzas(main squares). It was interesting to see how they all connect. The piazzas were the entrances into the city.

Santa Croce Church

Eating breakfast at my favorite Cafe Mario. They have amazing caffe latte and breakfast! We sit outside and have an amazing view of the Santa Croce Church.

All the vespas parked along the Arno. Seemed like there were hundreds of them!

Walking along the Fiume Arno.

Night in the City

Mariya and I on the Ponte Vecchio. Went went listen to the band and watch the Italians dance in the street.

There was the Gelato Festival going on and they had many different events going on in the streets around the city. This was a light show on the government house while the piano player played amazing music. This was one of the most amazing things I have ever seen. I was in awe! There were hundreds of people gathered in the square to listen and watch the show.

There was even a magic/comedy show. It was pretty funny. He messed with the tourists.

The roommates and I in front of the Gelato Festival.... with a carousel!!!

The chalk paitings along the street they were doing these at night! It was amazing to watch.

The Duormo at night! It was beautiful so much detail.

Looking off of the Ponte Vecchio. This is where we pass everyday to get to school and home. It is beautiful!!!

There is always something going on here. This was a live band playing songs like "dont worry be happy" and everyone dancing in the street. It was alot of fun.

Home

Our apartment! it is amazing. It is very authentic Italian, and really big. The pictures dont give it justice but they give you an idea. Had to hang my first piece of clothing on the cloths line out of the window!

Waiting in the airport in Germany... we had a seven our layover! we were going to venture out but of course I get bag checked in every airport so security takes to long to leave and then have to go through it again.

But the wait was well worth it once we got there. We got to see the Swiss Alps and the vineyards from the plane. It was beautiful.

P.s. Lisa's is the German

version of Zapps! Mmm!