Life in Firenze

Let me tell you!  This has been one heck of an adventure!  The first week of Italian class just flew by and exploring the city has been like none other.  I have found a close circle of friends and we pretty much go everywhere together!  On Tuesday we went to San Miniato which is the church of Saint Minias that overlooks most of Florence.  It has breathtaking views of the city that are more beautiful than imaginable.  My friends and I have done a ton of exploring of the city and are really starting to get familiar with the layout of the city and where things are.  Every day we have Italian class from 9:00 to 10:30 with a half hour break then another hour and a half.  So (at least for the first month) we are done by 12:30 every day.  After class we usually go to lunch at Il Mercato where we get fresh produce.  I usually get fruit for lunch because I'm usually not very hungry at that point.  After that we go wandering and exploring!  (Although we have been figuring out phones and frustrations with banks most of today.) 

Wednesday we were set up with our host families!  I am in a family of two - a single mom named Grazia (Grace) and her 19-year-old daughter named Leanara.  They are really quite wonderful and seem to be a quiet family.  Grazia is an AMAZING cook - I hope to learn a few things from her :)  They also have a female yellow lab named Matidle who is just the light of the household.  She is constantly vying for attention and is what I call a "leaner."  She likes to lean against you and get pets. 

Tomorrow we head off for Cinque Terre at 7:30 am!  SO excited to be near the water and go swimming and see the sights!!  Check for a new post on that adventure soon!  Love you all!