Ciao!  Today is my fourth day in Firenze, and Orientation has finally calmed down, so it's time for a new post!  Though my trip began a little stressful, it ultimately went perfectly well.  Everyone who knows me knows that I have the WORST travel luck, so this was an absolute miracle.  I guess all that bad luck finally brought me some good karma!  I had to pack and repack several times, because my bags were WAY overweight, even after we narrowed things down with the help of Sally!  Sunday night, my mom made a bunch of desserts and had family and friends over to say goodbye.  Luckily, Laura, Hank, Alex, and Emilio (here's your shout out! (: ) didn't mind that I was packing and helped me out a lot.  My mom and sisters brought me to JFK and we were two hours early, so we went for a drive around Long Island to see the beaches.  At first, I wasn't too nervous, but as my check-in time approached, I began to get very anxious about my checked luggage and and carry-ons being overweight.  Luckily, they were under the weight limit and they never weighed my carry-ons (there is absolutely no way they were under 18 lbs!).  I said my goodbyes to my family and went off through security.  It wasn't nearly as bad as I thought it would be- very easy!  I proceeded to my gate, boarded my plane, and began my journey.  I tried sleeping, and did so by drinking some FREE wine, but it did absolutely nothing.  I ended up watching 4 movies instead!  No one was in the seat next to me, so I had plenty of room and was very comfortable on the flight.  We made it to Frankfurt early and I got my passport stamped for the first time!  We boarded and exited the flight to Florence on the tarmac, and I felt like an absolute celebrity.  Finally, I was in Italy!  I got my luggage, which thankfully wasn't lost (21 students did lose their luggage), and went to the hotel to begin Orientation.


It's been a LONG few days, filled with meetings and made worse by jet lag.  Because I've never been overseas, I had no idea what to expect and it was TERRIBLE.  I stayed in the first two nights because it took every bit of me to stay awake past 8.  Before dinner, me and a few girls walked along the Arno, down to the Ponte Vecchio and got our first gelato!  I got Panna Cotta and Tiramisu....I was in heaven.  I WILL be going back for more, and probably very often!


Yesterday, after much anticipation, we finally moved in with our host families.  When we got our assignments, the housing director made a special comment to us saying how lucky we were to get her.  My host mother, Rita, is a widow with an older son who is married and with young children.   We were told they visit a lot, which I am very happy about because I LOVE little kids.  The house is beautiful.  My roommate and I share a room and bathroom downstairs, and have a lot of privacy.  We also are one of the few lucky ones to have Wi-Fi in the house!  We were both SO happy.  As soon as we logged on, I was able to talk to my family and friends for the first time since Sunday, which was wonderful.  So far, I'm thrilled with my placement.  She doesn't speak much English, but I think this is for the better because I will learn so much more.  Luckily, my roommate knows a lot of Italian, so she helps translate.  Rita is an AMAZING cook.  Last night, we had wine, bruschetta, pesto, fried chicken, salad, carrots, and fruit and an Italian pastry for dessert.  It was INCREDIBLE.  A few of her friends joined us for dinner, who also didn't speak much English, so it was a bit overwhelming, but I think I did alright!  In the next few days, one of her previous students and a few neighbors with students in our program will be joining us for dinner.  I'm excited to meet everyone!  I also had my first Italian coffee this morning- it was black (no milk or sugar), and VERY strong.  It's going to take some getting used to, but I did like it!

Overall, I am absolutely in love with this city.  Firenze is absolutely beautiful, like something out of a movie.  It hasn't quite set in that I'm in Italy and will be living here until May.  It still seems just very surreal.  I will be doing much more exploring now that jet lag has subsided, and I'm planning to go to the center and to a museum or two this weekend.

Ciao for now!  Abbracci e baci!  xoxo

2 comments

1. Sra. Pelicano on January 14, 2012 at 8:12 AM

   Hmmmm! Love the gelato! Sounds like you have had a terrific start to your journey! Don't be afraid to speak (it is OK to make mistakes) and you will be able to learn sooo much more. Oh, yes...shopping, leather goods....all very important!
   
   xo

    
2. Kim DeLeo on January 17, 2012 at 9:12 AM

   Ciao, mia cara! Grandma's friend suggested you shop at The Last Straw for great buys on leather boots to replace the black ones. Baci e abbracci! Ti amo! Mamma