Firenze

This was my second time in Firenze (Florence) but I was still as awestruck as I was my very first time! It's strange how familiar somethings seemed yet so very foreign! I tried to take less pictures and to just enjoy what I was walking into but I had this compulsion to document every aspect of the visit. Going to seriously try to work on that!

(The photo above is Michelangelo's tomb,and the statues are his three muses: painting, sculpting and architecture.)

Laura, our tour guide, showed us around the San Lorenzo Market, Santa Croce (where the most influential italians are buried, such as Galileo, Michelangelo, and Da Vinci)  and the Palazzo Vecchio (the palace belonged to the Medici family).  

After the tour, the school fed us lunch at Trattoria del Pennello via Dante and I was so happy to finally have pasta that was DRENCHED in sauce. The tortellini was deeeelish and the chicken in the second course was yummy as well. I need to start realizing that there are more than one course every time I eat now and that I have to take the second course pictures!

I told our waiter in Italian (or so I tried) that he looked like Tony Stark aka Iron Man aka Robert Downey Junior and he was so happy that when we were leaving the restaurant, he grabbed my wrist and directed me down to the kitchen area (I was kind of freaking out because I wasn't sure what exactly was happening) to have me tell the cook/owner what I said about him. It was a fun moment.

For the rest of the day, our group just decided to have a chill day and not shop in the market. We got gelato at Perche No and had cappuccinos (my first coffee art!) at La Cantinetta di Dante e Beatrice and relaxed.

It was a very overwhelming day in Florence. I didn't feel like I could enjoy it to its fullest potential because the whole day was completely planned for us and there wasn't a lot of leisure time. This was the day I learned about "museum fatigue." I also learned that I should always go to the restroom before I trek on a 2 hour train ride back to Castiglion because I will have to hold myself not only for the train ride but for the hike back up to Santa Chiara as well!

Until next time!


“And the voices in the waves are always whispering to Florence, in their ceaseless murmuring, of love - of love, eternal and illimitable, not bounded by the confines of this world, or by the end of time, but ranging still, beyond the sea, beyond the sky, to the invisible country far away!”
 - Charles Dickens

Benvenuti in Italia!

Buona sera tutti!

It is almost 1AM here in Italy, but it's the evening in the states. It's a seven hour difference which is taking me a difficult time to get used to in communicating back and forth but my body seems to be adjusting just fine these last two days that I've been here (expect for the aches from the plane rides).

View outside the plane leaving London to Rome, breathtaking!

Italy is BEAUTIFUL, of course. My reoccurring thought is that there are people who live in this town (I am currently staying in a small but lively town knowned as Castiglion Fiorentino) who find this city and lifestyle completely normal, while I stand here squirming silently (and loudly) in my body about how breathtaking every turn I take is.

This is my view from my window in my room

Trees are my weakness, so waking up to this view will kill me every morning. The window also has a little ledge that I can sit on. Perfect for reading on cold (and warm, really all) days and placing fresh flowers for decoration!

So far, the people in Castiglion Fiorentino have been super kind to us, considering we are practically invading their little town with out big Texas attitudes. Also, the townspeople are friggin' gorgeous. I've never met such a great looking town. Everyone seems to age beautifully!

Here is a random adorable picture of Bailie, Amy and myself at the top of Castiglion.

Sunday, we had lunch at Roggi's and met an American woman who actually went on this exact study abroad trip years ago, met her husband here, and came back a couple years later to Italy, got married and started up this pizzeria with her husband! What a cute story! I got to put some of my italiano skills (which are very limited, and shouldn't be) to good use today at the restaurant and also when I asked this gentlemen to "fate nostra foto, per favore"

The food was delicious of course.

Although, The meals at Santa Chiara ARE SO MUCH BETTER. And it's ...free. I can get used to a three course feast. Lydia and Juliana, the cooks, are amaaaaazing.

I will update y'all (I have been made very aware of my Texan slang by the Kansas State students here) more, until next time! 

i migliori auguri,

Lucy

"Travel, in the younger sort, is a part of education; in the elder, a part of experience."  -Francis Bacon 

So, where is Lucille? This is an online documentation of where she is, what she is doing, and to entice others to begin their own adventures. She will begin her journey in italia, but hopefully will branch out to all corners of the world, whether that be Paris or Chicago. This is about learning, experience and of course, enjoyment.


"Always do what you are afraid to do."— Emerson