To Market, To Market

The Arno River

The Duomo

my neighbor, Chanel

(the view out my bedroom window, aka why i chose this room)

Well today was my first day of unplanned activities which in a way was frightening to me (note: Melissa this does NOT mean that i cannot go with the flow, i would just prefer to know where i'm going first). I slept in late (finally catching up on sleep!), and woke up around the same time as Caitlin (my roomate). We went out for a long walk around the city, we saw the Duomo and Arno river and didn't even get lost coming back:) Later I went to the market with Julia (another apartment-mate) and we stocked up on the necessary items like TOILETTE PAPER, bread, cheese, proscuto, nutella, bannanas, etc. Also, wine was only 3 euros there, isn't that insane- we didn't get any because our baskets were already too heavy. Leaving the grocery store was one of those "i guess i'm actually going to stay here" moments. We walked back and admired all the beautiful leather purses. Julia and I tried to get "friends of the Uffizi" membership cards but failed miserably. I emailed someone on the website and hopefully we'll figure it out. It's a sweet deal, for 40 euro you can go to all the museums in Florence for free (which is good cause I've got a date with DAVID ASAP!) We ate a low-key dinner in the apartment (yummy sandwiches) and Caitlin joined us and we watched Pride and Prejudice on my laptop. It's almost 11 here and honestly I'm ready to just read and go to bed. Bonnie and Jade (the other roomates) are going bar-hopping again tonight and of course they invited me, but I declined. Let me justify my lameness: a) I had a good day and don't want to over do-it, b) I don't know them well enough yet, and c) Bars aren't going anywhere....I'll go when I'm ready. But for now, I'm happy and I'm starting to make friends, so that is good enough for now.

Firenze, my new home!

Hi there,

well after having several doubtful moments yesterday, my two greatest fears (expressed in my conversation with alex ade) being starvation and lack of friends. The good news is yesterday after i blogged (i think after...) i went out with my roomates (sans Caitlin, she arrived today) for dinner. we ate at this perfect little pizzeria where i had the best cheese pizza ever and shared a bottle of wine with my new friends. it felt very cliche italian, but it was exactly what i needed. So i guess my fears are starting to fade.

today i had orientation in the morning, it was pretty boring at times but had some helpful tips. i took my language placement test and I'm going to take intensive intermediate I, which is good i hope to learn A LOT! afterwards i lunched at the cafeteria with Emily (a new friend!) and chatted, then we met up with roomates (hers- Kimberly, mine- Julia) at the cell phone place. we all added eachother's numbers and were excited to actually have contacts in Florence. Then me and Julia walked back home and passed by the Duomo and my heart stopped. i love that i am going to see it everyday walking to class (big upgrade from the Lee construction). I've been settling more into the apartment this afternoon and reading through papers, organizing wallets, etc. it's sort-of nice to start feeling settled here.

that's all for now...

arriving....

Hi,

So after a very long day of traveling I made it! The flight from Dulles to Frankfurt, Germany felt like forever, I barely slept because it was just so uncomfortable. On the plus side I sat next to a really nice professor from American University so happened to study abroad when she was in college and said it was one of the best experiences in her life. Also, I did get to watch Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2, which was probably the best part of the flight. The 5 hour layover in Frankfurt was less than ideal, at least I found another study abroad student to sit with in the airport. The flight into Florence went by fast (it was just all that waiting!) I got all my luggage and headed out of the Florence airport to find a taxi, that was slightly tricky but again it all worked out. The taxi took me to the student center where I signed in and got my apartment key, I then opted for another taxi to take me there (I was way too tired to get lost walking around Florence alone). The apartment is really cute and my room has a great view of the roofs and nearby chapel. My roomate is arriving tomorrow morning, but two other girls moved into the apartment today just a little bit after me (they seem really nice). Oh, mom and dad I read your letters and cried before anyone got here. Hopefully those will be my only tears this week...

Tomorrow I have orientation in the morning and hopefully will actually get a chance to see the city.

Yours sleepily,

Kari

Hello Blog

Just testing out the new blog... I fly to Italy on January 27th, so check back in a couple of weeks once I've arrived in Florence!!!!