I know it has been awhile since I last posted I am sorry for all of you that have been waiting back home. I promise I did not forget all of you I was in Florence where there was no internet and therefore not blog post. You are going to have to hang in there with me cause there is a lot to cover.
Brief recap: We left Tuesday morning EARLY got to Florence had a crazy day seeing some incredible art then that night had a great night, the next morning (Wed. that is more for me that you) More art, then shopping, and a quiet dinner. Thursday had an early start (again) saw the Medici chapel and then hopped on a train to Piza (yes, we saw the tower) and then hopped on another train and made it back to Rome (finally) and had today (Friday off) Like I said that was a very brief Recap of what we did.
Here we go: I can say this I am happy to be back in Rome ( that is weird to say) but it is home or at least it has been for the past three weeks. I loved Florence and I wish I could have stayed longer it is a beautiful city and it is quieter than here in Rome, but at least here I know the city and how to get around and feel comfortable here (never thought I would say I am comfortable in Rome). Wow, how time changes things. I now after this trip feel like I can find my way around really any big European city and that goes for American city as well. But I am now just talking and you probably would rather here about the trip. I am warning now it is going to be long but hang in there.
Tuesday: Wow, that seems so long ago. We got up supper early on Tuesday morning so we could make our train to Florence. We had to be OUT the door no later than 7:30 which we managed by the way and still had time to get a coffee and breakfast quiet proud. We then get on the train and have about an 1.5 train ride to Florence which really isn't that bad. When we got there it was a new city and we didn't know where we were going, where our bus stopped so we could get on it, when we did finally find it we didn't know which stop to get off at so we ended up getting off at the wrong one and having to walk a good twenty minuets to where we were staying. It really wasn't too bad. When we finally got to the place where we were staying (which by the way is another convent) it looked more of what I thought a convent would look at. Except it had more of an hotel feeling but it had an older world feeling mixed with new world. It was beautiful. After we go there we hit Florence running. We went to the Duomo (or also known as Brunelleschi's Dome) Wow, it was incredible and what made it even neater for us is that we had to read a book at how Brunelleschi designed the dome and how he carried out his plans. The reason that it is so very important is that it was the first dome of its time to be build without the aid of scaffeling. Which was a major deal back then. It had never been done; surprisingly (even though it is sad) there were only three deaths in the construction of the dome itself. After seeing the Duomo and getting to do a little shopping (while some climb to the top of the dome. I however did not feel like paying to have a freak out moment). It was more just walking around and we found this cute little paper shop. It was where they bound all of their books themselves with the paper they make. It is a great shop and we found out that there is one here in Rome so we are going to go to it. After, we did that we went and looked around the San Lorenzo market area. This is where you can get some of that famous Italian leather. We JUST looked that day we then went to the Accademia this is where the famous Michelangelo's David calls home. I could not believe that I was standing in front of such a famous piece and getting to see it with my own eyes!!! It was something that I really will never forget. There were some other pieces that were interesting to see but really the main focus of the Accademia is the David. When we left the museum it was raining and as we would come to find out as the week went on that it rains a lot in Florence. After, getting back to the convent we were all so tired. We had left early had a train ride, did museums, did a little shopping and it was now close to dinner time. We went to this great Italian restaurant that was literally right outside our door. We walked down the sidewalk and we were there. It was some of the best food I have had since being here. I had pasta with a homemade pesto. It was fantastic; we all really got to try each other's dishes and there wasn't bad one that I had. Our teacher order us an Appetizer for all of us to share and get a taste of Italian flavors. Well, I tried this particular spread and it wasn't bad at all in fact it was really good but none of us could place the favor. When we asked what it was we found out it was liver butter. I guess that just goes to prove don't knock something until you try it. After dinner we all pretty much went to bed. We were tried and we also had a long day ahead of us.
Wednesday: It again was an early morning for us. Today we were going to the Uffizi. This particular museum probably has one of the largest collections of famous works of arts. It has everything from: Da Vinci's, Rembrandt, Caravaggio, Botticelli, Giotto's and so many other works of art that is was almost an overload of famous pieces. It was hard at least for me cause I knew that I was looking at something famous; that I had seen it in history books but wasn't sure exactly what I was looking at. For me some of my favorite pieces were the famous painting that is in very history book of Martian Luther and his wife and a piece by Caravaggio of Medusa. After that incredible mind blowing experience we walked through were the vanity burning took place on our way to San Croce. This is where Michelangelo and Galileo are buried. That was cool to see their tombs but for me the cool part was when I was sitting there resting my teacher was like, "Kat, you need to go and check out that tomb over there. It is Machiavelli's tomb." I thought he was joking at first. I could not believe it I GOT to see the tomb of Machiavelli. For those of you who don't know who he is SHAME on you. (just kidding) He was the one who wrote the book, "The Prince" as a former government student I had to read his book and I loved it and now four years later I am standing at his tomb. I know, I am going on about it and I promise to stop I was just really excited to get to see it. After the church we were all so tired and hungry. We separated for a bit to go and find lunch. We were on our way to one restaurant when we were all so hungry that we walked by one looked at the menu and it wasn't priced back at all so we stopped there and had lunch. We made a good choice the food again was excellent and our waiter took really good care of us. After we finished lunch we were on our way to meet our teacher cause it was time to get down to business, yes shopping, if you go in is a group you tend to get better deals on your leather. We went to one store and were there for an hour trying to get the prices down to were we wanted them and the guy was not working with us so we left that is what you have to be willing to do. We then went to another store that our teacher had been to the day before and when we came in we were introduced as his family, cousins, and the guy that had worked with my teacher was there and he worked with us as well. It was a really good experience at least better than the first store. I finally decided one a beautiful messenger bag. Shopping for our leather took at least two hrs but in the end it was well worth it. After a little bit more shopping we went back to the convent. That night Rachael, one of the girls on the trip, and I had dinner together and it was really nice.
Thursday: It was time to leave Florence but before we did we went and saw the Medici chapel it is here that many of the power, and big family is buried. It was cool to know that we have talked about these people and now we are getting to see their tombs. Michelangelo carved two of the tombs and part of a third one. We then left the chapel got back to the convent, hopped on a bus to get to the termini so we could get on a train to go to Piza. It was while we were on the bus that we met a couple from Auburn. Now, for those of you don't know my family and I are Alabama fans and Alabama and Auburn are big Rivals. So, we were giving each other a hard time but in all honest it was fun to meet someone from the States and not only that but from the great state of Alabama. We got to the termini and had a bit of time before we had to leave so we got lunch and then got on the train for an 1.5 hr. train ride. I really enjoyed getting to see Piza and the leaning tower was interesting. It was not as big as I thought it was going to be. My teacher also gave us this question, "why are we so fascinated with a failure." Cause it is true, the leaning tower is a complete failure. I don't know the answer to that yet. We got dinner and some of the best gelato that we have had yet. We then got back to the train station and got on the train that would finally take us back to Rome. I can honestly say I was glad to get back to were we have called home.
Friday-Yesterday, we were off and boy did we need it. For the most part we didn't go anything yesterday except work on our papers and other projects that are due soon. After dinner we went out for a bit and saw the Colosseum at night which was a lot of fun.
Man, so there you have it, that was our few days in Florence and Piza. I hope that you are enjoying reading so far and as this come to an end I am looking forward to seeing all of you reading this back home. It is hard to believe that we are going into our final week. well, Ciao from Rome
Brief recap: We left Tuesday morning EARLY got to Florence had a crazy day seeing some incredible art then that night had a great night, the next morning (Wed. that is more for me that you) More art, then shopping, and a quiet dinner. Thursday had an early start (again) saw the Medici chapel and then hopped on a train to Piza (yes, we saw the tower) and then hopped on another train and made it back to Rome (finally) and had today (Friday off) Like I said that was a very brief Recap of what we did.
Here we go: I can say this I am happy to be back in Rome ( that is weird to say) but it is home or at least it has been for the past three weeks. I loved Florence and I wish I could have stayed longer it is a beautiful city and it is quieter than here in Rome, but at least here I know the city and how to get around and feel comfortable here (never thought I would say I am comfortable in Rome). Wow, how time changes things. I now after this trip feel like I can find my way around really any big European city and that goes for American city as well. But I am now just talking and you probably would rather here about the trip. I am warning now it is going to be long but hang in there.
Tuesday: Wow, that seems so long ago. We got up supper early on Tuesday morning so we could make our train to Florence. We had to be OUT the door no later than 7:30 which we managed by the way and still had time to get a coffee and breakfast quiet proud. We then get on the train and have about an 1.5 train ride to Florence which really isn't that bad. When we got there it was a new city and we didn't know where we were going, where our bus stopped so we could get on it, when we did finally find it we didn't know which stop to get off at so we ended up getting off at the wrong one and having to walk a good twenty minuets to where we were staying. It really wasn't too bad. When we finally got to the place where we were staying (which by the way is another convent) it looked more of what I thought a convent would look at. Except it had more of an hotel feeling but it had an older world feeling mixed with new world. It was beautiful. After we go there we hit Florence running. We went to the Duomo (or also known as Brunelleschi's Dome) Wow, it was incredible and what made it even neater for us is that we had to read a book at how Brunelleschi designed the dome and how he carried out his plans. The reason that it is so very important is that it was the first dome of its time to be build without the aid of scaffeling. Which was a major deal back then. It had never been done; surprisingly (even though it is sad) there were only three deaths in the construction of the dome itself. After seeing the Duomo and getting to do a little shopping (while some climb to the top of the dome. I however did not feel like paying to have a freak out moment). It was more just walking around and we found this cute little paper shop. It was where they bound all of their books themselves with the paper they make. It is a great shop and we found out that there is one here in Rome so we are going to go to it. After, we did that we went and looked around the San Lorenzo market area. This is where you can get some of that famous Italian leather. We JUST looked that day we then went to the Accademia this is where the famous Michelangelo's David calls home. I could not believe that I was standing in front of such a famous piece and getting to see it with my own eyes!!! It was something that I really will never forget. There were some other pieces that were interesting to see but really the main focus of the Accademia is the David. When we left the museum it was raining and as we would come to find out as the week went on that it rains a lot in Florence. After, getting back to the convent we were all so tired. We had left early had a train ride, did museums, did a little shopping and it was now close to dinner time. We went to this great Italian restaurant that was literally right outside our door. We walked down the sidewalk and we were there. It was some of the best food I have had since being here. I had pasta with a homemade pesto. It was fantastic; we all really got to try each other's dishes and there wasn't bad one that I had. Our teacher order us an Appetizer for all of us to share and get a taste of Italian flavors. Well, I tried this particular spread and it wasn't bad at all in fact it was really good but none of us could place the favor. When we asked what it was we found out it was liver butter. I guess that just goes to prove don't knock something until you try it. After dinner we all pretty much went to bed. We were tried and we also had a long day ahead of us.
Wednesday: It again was an early morning for us. Today we were going to the Uffizi. This particular museum probably has one of the largest collections of famous works of arts. It has everything from: Da Vinci's, Rembrandt, Caravaggio, Botticelli, Giotto's and so many other works of art that is was almost an overload of famous pieces. It was hard at least for me cause I knew that I was looking at something famous; that I had seen it in history books but wasn't sure exactly what I was looking at. For me some of my favorite pieces were the famous painting that is in very history book of Martian Luther and his wife and a piece by Caravaggio of Medusa. After that incredible mind blowing experience we walked through were the vanity burning took place on our way to San Croce. This is where Michelangelo and Galileo are buried. That was cool to see their tombs but for me the cool part was when I was sitting there resting my teacher was like, "Kat, you need to go and check out that tomb over there. It is Machiavelli's tomb." I thought he was joking at first. I could not believe it I GOT to see the tomb of Machiavelli. For those of you who don't know who he is SHAME on you. (just kidding) He was the one who wrote the book, "The Prince" as a former government student I had to read his book and I loved it and now four years later I am standing at his tomb. I know, I am going on about it and I promise to stop I was just really excited to get to see it. After the church we were all so tired and hungry. We separated for a bit to go and find lunch. We were on our way to one restaurant when we were all so hungry that we walked by one looked at the menu and it wasn't priced back at all so we stopped there and had lunch. We made a good choice the food again was excellent and our waiter took really good care of us. After we finished lunch we were on our way to meet our teacher cause it was time to get down to business, yes shopping, if you go in is a group you tend to get better deals on your leather. We went to one store and were there for an hour trying to get the prices down to were we wanted them and the guy was not working with us so we left that is what you have to be willing to do. We then went to another store that our teacher had been to the day before and when we came in we were introduced as his family, cousins, and the guy that had worked with my teacher was there and he worked with us as well. It was a really good experience at least better than the first store. I finally decided one a beautiful messenger bag. Shopping for our leather took at least two hrs but in the end it was well worth it. After a little bit more shopping we went back to the convent. That night Rachael, one of the girls on the trip, and I had dinner together and it was really nice.
Thursday: It was time to leave Florence but before we did we went and saw the Medici chapel it is here that many of the power, and big family is buried. It was cool to know that we have talked about these people and now we are getting to see their tombs. Michelangelo carved two of the tombs and part of a third one. We then left the chapel got back to the convent, hopped on a bus to get to the termini so we could get on a train to go to Piza. It was while we were on the bus that we met a couple from Auburn. Now, for those of you don't know my family and I are Alabama fans and Alabama and Auburn are big Rivals. So, we were giving each other a hard time but in all honest it was fun to meet someone from the States and not only that but from the great state of Alabama. We got to the termini and had a bit of time before we had to leave so we got lunch and then got on the train for an 1.5 hr. train ride. I really enjoyed getting to see Piza and the leaning tower was interesting. It was not as big as I thought it was going to be. My teacher also gave us this question, "why are we so fascinated with a failure." Cause it is true, the leaning tower is a complete failure. I don't know the answer to that yet. We got dinner and some of the best gelato that we have had yet. We then got back to the train station and got on the train that would finally take us back to Rome. I can honestly say I was glad to get back to were we have called home.
Friday-Yesterday, we were off and boy did we need it. For the most part we didn't go anything yesterday except work on our papers and other projects that are due soon. After dinner we went out for a bit and saw the Colosseum at night which was a lot of fun.
Man, so there you have it, that was our few days in Florence and Piza. I hope that you are enjoying reading so far and as this come to an end I am looking forward to seeing all of you reading this back home. It is hard to believe that we are going into our final week. well, Ciao from Rome
No comments:
Post a Comment