Today, I learned that in Italia they watch the Smurfs! BUT - they call it "I Puffi." At first, we had no idea what they were talking about. Our host mom's daughter kept describing it as "blue cartoons." There's even a gelato flavor named after I Puffi! We finally understood when the grand daughter showed us clips on Youtube. So funny, because it's popular here but SO outdated in the United States! Povera Puffi.

Also, Lady Gaga came to Milan this weekend. We found out... today. Meow.

Today, I went to a super cute tea/wifi place! It was a little hole in the wall with couch/benches, where you could sit and do homework with their free wi-fi for the price of a tea. It's called Meykadeh. The guy who works there is from Kansas, but grew up in England, and moved to Italy as a food writer. They play really soothing music and also sell used books! I'm obsessed. It's hard to find a nice place to study here. The library at school closes at 5, so I have to go home and work. Being home is equivalent to being on facebook! Hence, mi piace questo luogo :) I got decaf green tea and it was served in this adorable tea pot with a cookie on the side. 

Love it! Sorry my hair blends into the wall... platinum problems. Ciao for now!

On Gelato

Let's display my fine collection of gelato flavours - shall we?

Blackberry and lemon

Blueberry and cream with a waffle cookie

Fig and mascarpone

Banana, Fig & Ricotta

I know, I know. I'm turning into a big girl in Italia. It's bene, really! Tonight, my host mom served us "nocciola" flavoured gelato. Oh, my freaking goodness. It is hazelnut with pieces of nuts scattered throughout. My housemate and I must have had 3 servings. Va bene. I have found my favorite flavour! Though fig is really great too ;)

Ciao for now!

I’m in Firenze! I apologize for the lack of postings, but my wifi was on the fritz and adapter was nowhere to be found. If I’m slow to respond to a Facebook message or email, it’s because wifi is precious gold here! Firenze is beautiful. That’s all there is to it. There are about fifty gorgeous churches in walking distance of our homestay, which also makes for great landmarks when trying to navigate.

On the flight from Dulles to Frankfurt I sat next to an elderly lady who was on vacation. She was actually an alumni from Sweet Briar, and the school does alumni trips every year to cool places in Europe. She was telling me all about her life, and her cat, Maggie. What a sweetheart! I honestly did not sleep a wink on the plane because I was chatting with this lady. The flight time flew by and all of a sudden we were in Frankfurt.

In Frankfurt airport, we had to go through security again before getting on the plane to Florence. The candle that I got my host mom apparently set off the scanner, so they had to search my bag. Well, wouldn’t you know, they pull out my teddy bear! The German TSA guy – “Is this your best friend?” Me – “Yes.” No shame. Oh, and I also got frisked. Blondes can be dangerous, ya know!

We went out for the first time in Firenze! We went to this bar called Old Stove, where we met these students from Denmark. They were so nice – and basically my twins with the platinum hair! They were seniors in high school and just visiting for the week, so unfortunately we won’t be able to hang out again. After that, we went to this bar called Lion Fountain. It was like being in an American bar. We walked in and they were playing Katy Perry while U.S. college tee’s lined the walls. There’s a JMU one with summer student’s signatures – definitely got a picture! I might recognize a few names ;) They even had a special JMU shot – strawberry vodka and lime. It was delicious and tasted like Jello. After THAT, it was pretty late but we tried to find the last club that we had wanted to check out called Club 21. That place basically looked like something out of a movie. It was so gorgeous, but so hot! Literally, the walls were sweating. I think we stayed for twenty minutes and left! Pizzerias are open very late here, thank goodness! We went to a shop and got margherita pizza, which was super cheap. Five euros for a pie? Okay!

I also just booked a trip to Cinque Terra (?) this Sunday! So excited.

Ciao for now! XO

Pre-Pre Departure

It's one of those days where I have so much to do that I've decided on doing absolutely nothing. Well, I created this blog - that's something! In three days, I'll be on my way to Florence, where I will live for the next three months. Am I excited? It really hasn't sunk in. I feel like I won't know what's hit me until my feet are touching the ground in Italy. This is quite possibly the most daring adventure I have embarked on in my lifetime. The farthest I've been abroad was to St. Thomas, and that's a U.S. territory, so does it even count? Oh, I also went to Tiajuana when I was about ten. My family was visiting a relative in San Diego, and it was so close to the Mexican border that we hopped right over for a day trip! I definitely would never go back - lots of zebra-painted horses and children selling gum on the streets. Anyways, back to Italia. I don't even have my suitcase yet. My old one is a goner, the handle broke while I was travelling to the Redwoods this spring. However, I do have luggage tags! My mom bought them for me. They're the newest Lilly pattern.

On to packing! Or more procrastinating.