The Streets

The streets are narrow and crowded. I think the population of scooters and motorcycles in this city far out numbers the people. Every street is lined with them. Also the rules of the road are as follows as one friend put it, "everyone has the right of way". The intersections do not have markers, no one uses turn signals and even if there are street signs like 'do not enter' people still enter. One way signs mean that if you go up the street before someone comes down it its OK. Also, motorscooters have their own special lanes, or atleast they think so. The drive around cars, up on the sidewalks and through red lights. All of this on cobble stone streets made for donkey and cart. And dont forget about all the bicycles.

The View

I am sitting at MOYO's cafe. Its a trendy place that seems to have good nightlife. I have not been brave enought to go in yet because I have no one to go with. The picture is a view of the street from the cafe. In the background you can see a green hillside that is on the other side of the Arno River. The Arno is a small river, atleast width wise, but it seems to be a big deal for everyone here. Half of the directions I get are how far something is from the river even when it is not anywhere hear the river. Maybe they are just trying to get me lost.

The Whole Pig

Today when I went to the market there was a new stand there, or atleast one I havent seen before. It was this guy who, I guess, smoked a whole pig and was selling smoked ham. It was so good. It had to be about $100 a pound because I got a few slices and it cost 5E. Oh well. Best three slices of smoked ham in the world is probably worth it. After that I went to meet the Dean of students for Institute of Italian Studies, Sally Heaven. She is a nice lady from South Africa who moved to Italy and is fluent in both italian and english. The photograph is the view from the front steps of the school. A croweded market place and a interesting round building.

The Market

This morning I woke up a little early and went to this market that Rocco told me about. They had everything from cheese to meat and fruits and veggies. I bought some peaches, grapes, bacon, eggs, and mozerella balls. All this for less then 10E. The bacon was cut right off the slab in front of me. Hows that for fresh? These peaches were very good, melt in your mouth. I then went back to cook the eggs and bacon. What a disappointment! The bacon was too thick to fry. I dont think it got cooked all the way through. Ill have to ask Rocco how they cook bacon around here.

The Piano Man

Last night I meet a man named Rocco who has a tea bar right down the street from my apartment. He told me I should buy a bicycle, he took me to his friend down the way and he sold me a blue bicycle for 35E. They tell me I bring it back when I leave and I can sell it back for 20E. This means basically that I rent a bike for 4 months for 15E. Sounds like a deal to me. I am still hesitant to ride It around because the streets are very narrow and cars drive by you very fast. Now I know why Europian sports cars are so small. They couldnt fit throught these streets if they werent. After I got this bicycle he Rocoo invites me over to his house and shows me his piano. He can play many things and taught me the intro to Moon Light Senata by Beethoven. He shows me his guitar and I offer him 50E for it. Now at least I have some transportation and some entertainment.

The Airplane

When I was on the airplane I met a girl named Courtney. She was fun to sit next to the entire time. I didnt really realize we were on an airplane, the place to me seemed like a bar. The airline served free liquor the entire crossing. At the back of the plane there was room to stand so many people congregated back there. The man sitting across from us name was John, Courtney kept talking to him and his wife seems irritated. Thats when we moved to the back of the plane. John was from Greece. He gave us his email address so we could keep in touch, hopefully Ill get to go visit him. As far as adjusting to the different time zone, its been a little rough. Last night I could not sleep like I had hoped. There kept being interuptions and all night a thousand mesquitos were flying around me. I forgot I left the window open in my bedroom. By the time I woke up and found all these mesquitos I was all eaten up. I walked around the room for an hours smashing all of them. I finally feel asleep around 6am and woke up to my landlord knocking on my door at 2:30pm. I asked him where the grocery stores are and he pointed me to a list of shops, one for each of the following; meat, dairy, fruits and vegs, and a pharmacy for toothpaste. I forgot mine at home. Too bad they are all closed and are not expected to open again until 4pm today. Now I am sitting at a coffee bar. I ordered a coffee and let me tell you, this coffee is super rich. It is about as thick as oil and just as black. I might return home with a serious caffine addiction. Well my internet time is about to run out. Pictures tomarrow, I promise.

The Beginning

So I arrived safely in Florence. The plane left at about 10am yesterday morning. I arrived in Florence at 3pm local time. I got a hold of my landlord for my apartment, which is nice, and settled things with him. I left all my bags unpacked and went right to bed. I woke up about 10pm and started walking around. I walked past the Duomo and around Florence. The blocks here are very short so I walked way past where my apartment is and crossed the Arno. I had to ask a policeman for directions. I made my was around, found a gelatto stand and got some chocolate and then passed a Italian wrap stand and got a beef wrap which is very good. I need to upload the photos I have taken. More to come.

The 10 Day Mark

Well, I have ten days left until I fly out. My heartbeat quickens as I think about all the fantastic adventures I might have once in Florence. I fly out Wednesday the 22nd at 10:20 am. I have 2 layovers, one in Chicago and the other in Munich. After flying to Pisa I will have to take the train to Florence because Florence does not have an airport that is very large and it is cheaper to go by train. Once in Florence Nicco, my landlord, said he would come pick me up from the train station. Thats nice of him.