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.

The Map

Today I was with my buddy Jeff and he as been to Italy before. Ill share what little wisdom I gleaned from our conversation. I found out about this terrific little town called Siena, which is not too far from Florence. This town, according to Jeff, is a walled castle city which sounds interesting. Also, he took me to this gelato shop in Chesterfield and introduced me to the glorious taste of gelato. After the gelato we went to Barnes and Noble and Jeff bought me a rail map of Europe and we discussed many places that i have to go when I am there. I will.

The Soonly

I know that I still have a month left until I go to Florence but I have been doing alot of reading about Florence and how things work abroad. I thought I might fill in my few readers on some of the interesting things that I have learned. Florence is still an archaic city. They do not accept plastic anywhere. Pick pockets are rampant and the only thing in your wallet is cash. Sounds like a recipe for disaster. Florence has two currencys; the euro, which every other nation in europe (except the snotty English) uses and the Lira. The citizens of Italy and especailly Florence love their lira and some shops only accept them. The conversion rate is a standard exchange rate is 1936.27 Lira to 1 Euro. Sounds silly.

The Apartment

When I decided to study abroad I met with a girl who went to florence last semester through the same program. She emphatically told me to not to live in the dorms but to get an apartment. The problem is you have to find your own apartment and most of the websites for tourist try and screw you or only do short term leasing. I have been looking on websites like craigslist for several months now because I want to have the apartment when I get over there. Sleeping in a bus station just doesnt sound like fun to me. I finally got an apartment, its 900 E a month (expensive). Its a block from the Duomo, Its exciting.
http://www.apartmentsflorence.it/4.html

The Month

My bags are packed, Im ready to go. I am getting more and more excited as the days count down. The only thing left for me to get is a place to stay in Florence. An Apartment would be great.