The class is winding down now, and it's really hard to believe it. We only have four full days left here in Italy (that's counting today, so maybe it's really three!) since we're flying out on the morning of the 10th.
Everyone here is enjoying the time we have left here in different ways. There's plenty of places to go in Italy by train (and it really doesn't take that long to get there), and it surprised many of us planning to go to Rome tomorrow that it only takes an hour and a half to get there. It should be a lot of fun to visit a city like Rome which is rich in history and full of places to see.
The past two days have been great, with the Uffizi being my favorite stop on the 4th. We were able to view many famous paintings, which included The Birth of Venus by Boticelli--one of my favorites.
Yesterday we went to our tour guide's house for dinner, and we all had a great time! She lives on top of a hill that gives a great view of the beautiful Tuscan landscape. Not only was the view wonderful, but the food was great too! I thanked her family each moment that I had a chance to--they were very hospitable and kind to our group.
I'm a bit sad that my time in Italy is drawing to a close. Sure, it'll be nice to see everyone back home again, but I just wish I had more time here to go around and explore the rest of Italy.
Friday, June 6, 2008
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Culture
So far we've only had half our session today in Florence, but we've already seen some great artworks. We went to the The Museum of Andrea Del Darto's Last Supper. The Last Supper fresco was simply captivating, and I found myself staring at it for quite a long time. I was also able to view many other religious-based artworks in the museum.
It's one thing to view artwork or other historical pieces here in Italy, but it's another thing to experience much of the Italian culture.
It's very different from what many of us are used to in America. Most of us are used to being on the go all the time, and that's how many of us often get our meals. Most Americans don't really seem to have the chance to sit down and enjoy a meal with each other, but that isn't the case in Italy. Sit down meals seem to be the norm here, and there really aren't many places around where you can grab a meal and eat it on the go unless you run to the grocery store and make such a meal yourself. Myself and other students in the course have found a few places where you can grab something and run, but with the high number of American tourists around, I wonder if those places are simply catering to us (nothing wrong with that of course, they need to make a living too!).
Sitting down to a meal and other cultural differences in Italy are a nice change of pace from the life I'm used to back at home, I only wish I had more than two semesters of Italian so I could speak it a little better and truly experience the culture!
It's one thing to view artwork or other historical pieces here in Italy, but it's another thing to experience much of the Italian culture.
It's very different from what many of us are used to in America. Most of us are used to being on the go all the time, and that's how many of us often get our meals. Most Americans don't really seem to have the chance to sit down and enjoy a meal with each other, but that isn't the case in Italy. Sit down meals seem to be the norm here, and there really aren't many places around where you can grab a meal and eat it on the go unless you run to the grocery store and make such a meal yourself. Myself and other students in the course have found a few places where you can grab something and run, but with the high number of American tourists around, I wonder if those places are simply catering to us (nothing wrong with that of course, they need to make a living too!).
Sitting down to a meal and other cultural differences in Italy are a nice change of pace from the life I'm used to back at home, I only wish I had more than two semesters of Italian so I could speak it a little better and truly experience the culture!
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Where does the time go?
Only a week left here in Florence. I’m wondering when it went by so quickly. It’ll be nice to see my family and friends (although I may be weary from a long day of travel, so I’m not sure how happy I’ll appear), but on the other hand, I’ll be sad to leave Italy.
It seemes like my weekend plans are finalized and I should definitely be going to Rome. I’m sure I’ll have some great stories to tell about Italy’s capital and all of its rich history.
Italy itself has a rich history, and I find myself eager to learn about every part of it (I should, it’s my major!). A lot of the structures and artworks here are just mind-boggling to Americans due to the fact that we really don’t have the equivalent here. There really aren’t 600, 700, or even 1000 year old structures in America, but they certainly aren’t in short supply in Italy.
It seemes like my weekend plans are finalized and I should definitely be going to Rome. I’m sure I’ll have some great stories to tell about Italy’s capital and all of its rich history.
Italy itself has a rich history, and I find myself eager to learn about every part of it (I should, it’s my major!). A lot of the structures and artworks here are just mind-boggling to Americans due to the fact that we really don’t have the equivalent here. There really aren’t 600, 700, or even 1000 year old structures in America, but they certainly aren’t in short supply in Italy.
Monday, June 2, 2008
Firenze, the second week
It's really hard to believe that I only have about one week left here in Florence, and I'm both excited and upset about it. I do want to go home, and I find myself missing my family and friends, but at the same time I want to stay here in Italy and visit other cities besides Florence.
I'm not sure what I'm doing this weekend, but hopefully I'll get to see another wonderful Italian city. There's talk of Rome between some of the girls on the trip, but we're all unsure right now (we still have some time anyway). Rome is a wonderful city, and it would be great to see it again.
Otherwise I'm having a great time just looking around the city and feeling like I'm living the Renaissance! I always look forward to what each day has in store for me, so hopefully tomorrow I'll have some great stories to tell!
I'm not sure what I'm doing this weekend, but hopefully I'll get to see another wonderful Italian city. There's talk of Rome between some of the girls on the trip, but we're all unsure right now (we still have some time anyway). Rome is a wonderful city, and it would be great to see it again.
Otherwise I'm having a great time just looking around the city and feeling like I'm living the Renaissance! I always look forward to what each day has in store for me, so hopefully tomorrow I'll have some great stories to tell!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)