This City

I can't believe I have only been in Florence for 4 days. It feels like I have been here for a couple weeks at least. In the past four days I have moved into an apartment much larger than I had anticipated, attended my first week of classes (and managed to be on time only once), I ate gelato, enjoyed my first Italian 4-course meal, tried gnocchi for the first time, saw the Duomo and the Boboli Gardens, I've spoken English, Italian, and even Russian, and have gladly enjoyed Italian wine. The adventures have only just begun....there is so much more of Florence and Italy to see. Much of this week was spent planning and budgeting, as is necessary for us college students. The planning and sight-seeing is great, but I find that I am most content when I am just sitting, usually people-watching, relishing in how at home I feel.
Before I left for Italy I had a lot of reluctance towards the concept of blogging. I felt that sharing intimate details of my experience would somehow make it less genuine. Now I realize that this is all just too much for one ragazza to keep to herself. I want to share my thoughts, my feeling, my pictures! I want to shout it from the rooftops (the terrace on the 5th floor will do) just how amazing this city is!

The Arno River- I cross it every day on my way to school.

The view from my window on the 4th floor. Vespas, accordion music, and passersby can be heard at any time of the day or night.

Our first real adventure, The Boboli Gardens in the Pitti Palace. They provide so much more than greenery! Lovers lie closely on the grass, artists find the perfect place to sketch, and everyone enjoys a breath-taking view of the city.