Dreamworld.

I am momentarily loving my life. Why? because i just walked 2 blocks to the pastry shop, where i proceeded to get four, thats right four of the most decadent chocolate pastries i have ever seen in my entire life. And after the 70 year old italian man behind the counter told me i could just pay in kisses, which had to be translated to me after i didnt understand him the third time he repeated this for me, i laughed it off as a joke i had missed by solid five minutes and walked home to the best dinner yet. sometimes life cuts you a break. and today it came to me in nutella-filled croissants and apricot-jam cookies.

I have spent a week now in florence, and every day theres something new for me to learn. In fact, its hard not to feel like i came to this city barely equipped to survive happily among people i know so little about and can hardly understand. but im learning. and doing my best to stay positive within frustrating situations. i knew this would be difficult, but im beginning to find it might be a little harder than i thought. Its strange how suddenly your daily goals are reduced to having a few successful conversations with strangers and finding your way home. But i did ask for this, and i do love the challenge. I love this culture, and im finding more reasons to everyday. Which brings me to my first revelation: Ringos. Yep, you guessed it: Italian Oreos. and yes, i am baffled by them as well, however i will admit, to a somewhat lesser degree. These look like you could some how bake them in mass form. I havent let myself contemplate them further, since i know there is no one here to talk me about of this. Anyway, they're amazing and 1.80eu for like 20. I eat like a pack a day. thank you ringos. Now if i can only find Ringo gelato...

Another thing i have to mention before i forget: My refigerator is great. it sits in the corner of the kitchen. However i noticed today while going for my LEFTOVER pizza (yep i actually remembered to eat the leftovers for once in my life) that my fridge is called "Smeg". And thats all. Smeg. As in....ma. Now my fridge is gross and ruined and i cant stop thinking about that every time i see it. thanks ERICA.

Ok back to italy. the past few days have really been great. the other morning, we were scheduled to go on a "long walk" across town. We actually ended up crosssing the river that runs through the city, and made it to a beautiful park that overlooks the entire city. It was pretty breathtaking. Its crazy how you walk down a couple blocks and pass bricks that were layed centuries ago. Walls used to surround every major city of Italy, as invasions were frequent back in the day, and there are parts of the towers left sparatically around the city. Its insane. Its a constant reminder that people were here before you, and this city meant something to them as well.

I stumbled upon another amazing florintine tradition last night. Our advisor mentioned earlier this week about how there is a lantern festival every year for the eve of the nativity of the virgin mary, and it was happening that night begining at Santa Croce, a church about 20 minutes from us. Its a beautiful church that i have passed a few times durring my aimless walks, but i then discovered that it is the burial place of galileo and machiavelli. Its insane how im sure ive passed numerous places like this, and i have no idea of their magnitude. Anyway, we made our way to an empty piazza at dusk, with a few children running around with lanters waiting to be lit. As it got dark, a band arrived, and hundreds of people creaped out of the sidestreets with their bicycles, dogs, children, mothers and homemade lanterns. It was amazing. The band began to move, and the procession moved through the streets to the piazza singoria and the duomo. Hundreds more joined with lanters, and everyone sang and clapped to the cheesy italian/american songs. It was amazing. Everyone was so happy, just walking the streets enjoying the entertainment. I took tons of pictures, hopefully in a million years they will upload to facebook and you can take a look. It was definitely the best evening ive spent here.

Finally, i began classes today. I had Contemprary Italians and Italian Culture, and italian language. The first one was supposed to be a filler class, one that everyone had to take because they're in italy and should know a little something about, but it aint gonna be that easy. And the italian language one is going to be my hardest one yet, "TUTTO IN ITALIANO! SIEMPRE!" no english. and a hundred pages of homework every night. but thankfully these classes are incredibly interesting to me, and im so excited to improve my italian. I can tell already its getting better. I mean i cant see how it can get worse, right? i mean im LIVING in it. now there's that positive attitude...