Fortunately, the counselors had about five days to get everything ready, relax, explore, and enjoy some quality time with each other before the students arrived. Though we were nonstop all week with early mornings and late nights, we had a fantastic time. Though days were devoted to planning, organizing, and preparing, meals and evenings were ours to bond with each other. We had the BEST food. I was really nervous about what my eating situation was going to be like, but everyone in Italy is very knowledgeable about celiac and, if they don't have gluten free pasta or bread, they can at least suggest items on the menu that are safe to eat and will often do anything they possibly can to accommodate. This is the best I have eaten since the last time I was in Italy and COULD actually eat gluten!! I've had gluten free pasta with pesto and boar, amazing salads with fresh seafood, and all the prosciutto, buffalo mozzarella, gelato, coffee, and truffle oil a girl could ask for.
Though things are MUCH more stressful, we have very limited free time, and the counselors rarely have the opportunity to all hang out together (and Blake, the Barcelona director who was staying with us during our orientation, has left for Spain), it is still absolutely amazing. I am so happy to be back in Florence, a city that is so incredibly special to me. This is truly my favorite place in the entire world and I'm so grateful to have the opportunity to be back here for the next month. I've already been able to go back to my old stomping grounds, visit my school, and go to Badiani, my favorite gelato shop. I'm very much looking forward to revisiting my favorite places and seeing all the things I never got the chance to see my first time here!!
The amazing staff in front of the Ponte Vecchio after gelato at Emporio on our first day in the city
At Piazzale Michelangelo. My favorite place in the entire world.
Some of the staff (plus Blake) at Piazzale Michelangelo
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