Firenze
Monday, September 27, 2010
correre in Firenze
For the past week I have been getting up at 7am to go on a run. I set my watch alarm and when it goes off, I get up and get ready as quietly as I can so I wont wake up my roommates (considering it is really early in the morning.) Once I am done putting on my running shorts and shoes, I head down stairs, turn on my iPod and begin my run. Once I step outside the villa I am greeted with the cool air of the morning and the hum of the passing cars that are headed to work. Almost no one is walking on the streets and compared to the rest of the day, Florence is pleasantly more quiet, more serene in the mornings. (Aside from the rattling cars, but even they seem to have a more calming methodical way about them, in the mornings.) As I begin my run down the street, I pass by people dressed in orange vest handing out the daily newspaper to passing cars and pedestrians. Further on I pass trucks unloading deliveries to cafe's and shops. The streets markets, that sell every item possible (leather, hoodies, shoes, purses, journals, etc.) are just beggining to opens. The merchants are bundled up from the cill and they are either drinking a cup of coffee or smoking a cigarette as they uncover their kiosk. The city is beginning to wake up. Further on I am start to smell the bakeries as freshly made pasteries are being taken out of the oven. The smell engulfs me and I start to crave a croissant or a bombolone (doughnut) but I know I must keep running. Soon I come upon the end of the street and as I turn the corner, everytime still takes my breath away, I come into view of the Duomo. It is magnificent in the mornings. The sun's light is coming up from behind it making the clouds and even the Duomo take on this hue of pink and purple. The burnt orange tiles of the Dome light up, it is as if they are on fire. No one is around. No one. Except me. During my run I have to stop because the Duomo is just to beautiful to pass up. As I continue to run, leaving the Duomo behind, I begin to notice the city coming to life a bit more. People are walking or biking to work, bus are running up and down the streets. As I run down the last street and come upon the main Piazza all of Florence has awakened. In that short twenty-five minutes so much has happened. But every morning I look forward to my run because I get to see Florence wake-up.
Sunday, September 19, 2010
l'uve, calcio e cibo!
Ciao Tutti!
So my finals are over for intensive italian. It is a relief and even though this week was very stressful with the whole 'Italian only' thing, I feel acomplished. Going out with the uscita guides was great experience using the language because last night I was able to talk to a native about the soccer game that occured only a few hours earlier that day.
Saturday, which was yesterday was a very eventful day! The day started out with getting up at 7:30 and leaving at 8:30 to go grape picking at a vineyard. About 45 minutes later and a beautiful ride through the country side, we arrived to the villa where we would be helping out picking the grape harvest. Our first instructions we to pick gloves and scissors and then to head off to the vineyards. The first vineyard we went to was smaller than I expected, but it was so amazing to see clusters of grapes growing up and down the individual aisles. Kate, Bud, Jody and I set to work on our aisle. The cluster that we would cut were so picturesque. The colors were so vibrant with shades of light lavander or dark violet. There were shades of blue even. The clusters grew so big that they would wrap around the vine or the wiring of the fence and you had to pry them off. After about half an hour we were done with that part of the vineyard.
Next the owner of the vineyards and his two sons led us to another part of their land that had a larger vineyard. This vineyard was beautiful. It grew along a hillside and there were just tens even a hundred rows. So all 58 of us, Pepperdine students, set to work. While Kate, Bud, Jody and I were working on an aisle, an old man (one of the workers for the owner) came up to us with a bushle of white/green grapes. He motioned for us to take one and when I popped the grape in my mouth, it made me smile. It was probably one of the sweetest grapes I have ever eaten. The man told us that these grapes were for the desert wine (dolce) and to eat the seeds because they helped with digestion( I never knew that).
Every harvest takes a full year to mature. So what we picked was their only harvest to make their wine. Each harvest produces 6,000 bottles of wine. 90% of those bottles are sold for profit and 10% is saved for family and friends. Because we helped out with picking the harvest, each student will be given a bottle of their wine (Chianti Classico).
After we were done picking the grapes harvest we were given lunch. We walked back up to the house to find the backyard set up with picnic tables and chairs. It was an idealic view of eating at a Tuscan backyard with vines, bushes, vegetables and trees growing everywhere. Right next to the picnic table was a pomegranite tree. Lunch was delicous. We had sanwhiches with turkey, cheese, olive oil, mustard, olives, tomatoes filled with tuna, salami, and grilled peppers and eggplant. While we ate lunch, we got to sit a visit and enjoy to ambiance of the Tuscan villa.
Around 1:30 we packed up and left for the villa to head off to our next event. At 4:30 we met back up to go to a Florentine soccer match. When each of us in our soccer jerseys, we walked to the stadium. It was about a 35 minutes walk from the villa. Once we all got there, what we came to find was a sea of purple. Florence's team color is viola (purple). It was crazy. Our section in the stadium was perfect. We were surrounded by native Italians who were so into the game. The next section over from us was the so called "student section". They were the Florentine fan club and witnessing them cheer was the most incredible thing I have seen at a sporing event. It was like looking into a sea of purple with syncronized chants and wave flagging. The fan clubs mascot is a indian warrior so they had a huge portrait of him on a flag that was being waved around. When they chanted and sang they were so loud, it was unbelivable. One thing I learned is that if you whistle that means you are displeased. So whenever the opposing team had the ball or made a foul the crowd would errupt with whistling.
It was a slight disappointment because Florence lost to Lazio, the opposing team. It was shocking to see how angry the crowd got. Soccer is like part of their soul, or like a contrata. Also, on the way home there was a downpour of rain, but all in all it was a great day.
Today was a pleasant day. At 12:30 everyone met up to ride the bus to Elizabeth's house, our program's director. It was about a thirty minute drive into the country side. When we were getting closer, we turned onto a narrow side street that led us into a wood part of the country side. It ended up leading us to her house. When we pulled up we saw about 20 people dress up in old Renaissance clothes and lined up on either side of the driveway, waving flags and drumming on drums. After each student walked under the flags that were raised out to us, they put on a show. Each person with a flag, Elizabeth included, put on a performance of flag twirling and throwing. It was amazing to watch.
After the performance we sat down to have a five course meal! Each course got better and better, if that was even possible. The meal started out with appetizers like bruschetta and chips and salsa! Then pasta arrived after that. We had penne pasta with pesto and penne pasta with tomatoe sauce. Procceeding the pasta was homemade brick oven pizzas. They were delicous! The man cooking them made all different types of pizza. He made magharitta, pesto, salami, and pepperoni(which in Italy means peppers, not meat). Next came grilled meat which included chicken, ribs and steak. After the meat we had desert. The last course was probably the best because we had homemade chessecake and homemade chocolate flourless torte. By the end of this meal I had hit capacity.
When we were all done eating, we were able to roam around Elizabeth's property and visit with one another. Some of us played badmiton, bacci ball, crochett, or some of us walked down to a little creek that ran along Elizabeth's house. My friend Bud and I walked down to the creek and we found a path that led us to a open meadow that was full of wild flowers and olive trees and it had this incredible view of the Tuscan hillsides that surrounded us. The sun was so welcoming and Elizabeth's house was so beautiful and ideal. Today was a perfect day.
Hope all is well with everyone!
Ciao!
So my finals are over for intensive italian. It is a relief and even though this week was very stressful with the whole 'Italian only' thing, I feel acomplished. Going out with the uscita guides was great experience using the language because last night I was able to talk to a native about the soccer game that occured only a few hours earlier that day.
Saturday, which was yesterday was a very eventful day! The day started out with getting up at 7:30 and leaving at 8:30 to go grape picking at a vineyard. About 45 minutes later and a beautiful ride through the country side, we arrived to the villa where we would be helping out picking the grape harvest. Our first instructions we to pick gloves and scissors and then to head off to the vineyards. The first vineyard we went to was smaller than I expected, but it was so amazing to see clusters of grapes growing up and down the individual aisles. Kate, Bud, Jody and I set to work on our aisle. The cluster that we would cut were so picturesque. The colors were so vibrant with shades of light lavander or dark violet. There were shades of blue even. The clusters grew so big that they would wrap around the vine or the wiring of the fence and you had to pry them off. After about half an hour we were done with that part of the vineyard.
Next the owner of the vineyards and his two sons led us to another part of their land that had a larger vineyard. This vineyard was beautiful. It grew along a hillside and there were just tens even a hundred rows. So all 58 of us, Pepperdine students, set to work. While Kate, Bud, Jody and I were working on an aisle, an old man (one of the workers for the owner) came up to us with a bushle of white/green grapes. He motioned for us to take one and when I popped the grape in my mouth, it made me smile. It was probably one of the sweetest grapes I have ever eaten. The man told us that these grapes were for the desert wine (dolce) and to eat the seeds because they helped with digestion( I never knew that).
Every harvest takes a full year to mature. So what we picked was their only harvest to make their wine. Each harvest produces 6,000 bottles of wine. 90% of those bottles are sold for profit and 10% is saved for family and friends. Because we helped out with picking the harvest, each student will be given a bottle of their wine (Chianti Classico).
After we were done picking the grapes harvest we were given lunch. We walked back up to the house to find the backyard set up with picnic tables and chairs. It was an idealic view of eating at a Tuscan backyard with vines, bushes, vegetables and trees growing everywhere. Right next to the picnic table was a pomegranite tree. Lunch was delicous. We had sanwhiches with turkey, cheese, olive oil, mustard, olives, tomatoes filled with tuna, salami, and grilled peppers and eggplant. While we ate lunch, we got to sit a visit and enjoy to ambiance of the Tuscan villa.
Around 1:30 we packed up and left for the villa to head off to our next event. At 4:30 we met back up to go to a Florentine soccer match. When each of us in our soccer jerseys, we walked to the stadium. It was about a 35 minutes walk from the villa. Once we all got there, what we came to find was a sea of purple. Florence's team color is viola (purple). It was crazy. Our section in the stadium was perfect. We were surrounded by native Italians who were so into the game. The next section over from us was the so called "student section". They were the Florentine fan club and witnessing them cheer was the most incredible thing I have seen at a sporing event. It was like looking into a sea of purple with syncronized chants and wave flagging. The fan clubs mascot is a indian warrior so they had a huge portrait of him on a flag that was being waved around. When they chanted and sang they were so loud, it was unbelivable. One thing I learned is that if you whistle that means you are displeased. So whenever the opposing team had the ball or made a foul the crowd would errupt with whistling.
It was a slight disappointment because Florence lost to Lazio, the opposing team. It was shocking to see how angry the crowd got. Soccer is like part of their soul, or like a contrata. Also, on the way home there was a downpour of rain, but all in all it was a great day.
Today was a pleasant day. At 12:30 everyone met up to ride the bus to Elizabeth's house, our program's director. It was about a thirty minute drive into the country side. When we were getting closer, we turned onto a narrow side street that led us into a wood part of the country side. It ended up leading us to her house. When we pulled up we saw about 20 people dress up in old Renaissance clothes and lined up on either side of the driveway, waving flags and drumming on drums. After each student walked under the flags that were raised out to us, they put on a show. Each person with a flag, Elizabeth included, put on a performance of flag twirling and throwing. It was amazing to watch.
After the performance we sat down to have a five course meal! Each course got better and better, if that was even possible. The meal started out with appetizers like bruschetta and chips and salsa! Then pasta arrived after that. We had penne pasta with pesto and penne pasta with tomatoe sauce. Procceeding the pasta was homemade brick oven pizzas. They were delicous! The man cooking them made all different types of pizza. He made magharitta, pesto, salami, and pepperoni(which in Italy means peppers, not meat). Next came grilled meat which included chicken, ribs and steak. After the meat we had desert. The last course was probably the best because we had homemade chessecake and homemade chocolate flourless torte. By the end of this meal I had hit capacity.
When we were all done eating, we were able to roam around Elizabeth's property and visit with one another. Some of us played badmiton, bacci ball, crochett, or some of us walked down to a little creek that ran along Elizabeth's house. My friend Bud and I walked down to the creek and we found a path that led us to a open meadow that was full of wild flowers and olive trees and it had this incredible view of the Tuscan hillsides that surrounded us. The sun was so welcoming and Elizabeth's house was so beautiful and ideal. Today was a perfect day.
Hope all is well with everyone!
Ciao!
Thursday, September 16, 2010
l'ultimo uscita!
Buon giorno tutti,
Today was one of my last 'uscitas,' and we went to il supermercato! This uscita was so fun and I probably got more out of this one than any of the others. Once the group got to the supermercato, we paired into a group of two. We were given 15 euro and a grocery list for a recipe of some sort. My partner and I had to buy the ingredients for a fruit torte (which also happens to be my favorite sweet). Once we received our grocery list, we were set free to fend for ourselves. Surprsingly I was not nervous what-so-ever. I was actually pretty excited. I felt as if I could converse what I need to find more easily with the employees there. I was also able to read the signs for the different types of food.
Some differences I noticed when shopping in the supermercato:
-The store provides small baskets(like they do in america), but instead of having to lug them around, you could pull them behind you because they had wheels!
-When picking out produce one has to wear a plastic glove.
- After the produce is picked and put into the bag, you take it to a weigh station, ring it up and then you are given a sticker with the price.
I loved shopping in the supermercato because if I did have a question I could go up and ask an employee. They were very patient with me and very helpful. Also it is so exciting when you realize you know what they are talking about when they are giving you direction to an aisle!
Tomorrow we have our final for intensive italian. There are two parts: written and oral. It is going to be a challenge, especially the oral. Wish me luck!
Ciao!
Today was one of my last 'uscitas,' and we went to il supermercato! This uscita was so fun and I probably got more out of this one than any of the others. Once the group got to the supermercato, we paired into a group of two. We were given 15 euro and a grocery list for a recipe of some sort. My partner and I had to buy the ingredients for a fruit torte (which also happens to be my favorite sweet). Once we received our grocery list, we were set free to fend for ourselves. Surprsingly I was not nervous what-so-ever. I was actually pretty excited. I felt as if I could converse what I need to find more easily with the employees there. I was also able to read the signs for the different types of food.
Some differences I noticed when shopping in the supermercato:
-The store provides small baskets(like they do in america), but instead of having to lug them around, you could pull them behind you because they had wheels!
-When picking out produce one has to wear a plastic glove.
- After the produce is picked and put into the bag, you take it to a weigh station, ring it up and then you are given a sticker with the price.
I loved shopping in the supermercato because if I did have a question I could go up and ask an employee. They were very patient with me and very helpful. Also it is so exciting when you realize you know what they are talking about when they are giving you direction to an aisle!
Tomorrow we have our final for intensive italian. There are two parts: written and oral. It is going to be a challenge, especially the oral. Wish me luck!
Ciao!
Monday, September 13, 2010
Italiano Intensivo! oh my!
Ciao Tutti!
So today was the first day of intensive italian! This morning everyone went to class for two hours and my professor spoke only in Italian. Once class started I began to realize how little of the language I actually know. I became so overwhelmed that I was on the verge of tears... I was thinking "how in the world am I going to survive the uscita?" (The 'uscita' is where we go out with italian guides and either go to a caffe', book store or post office and use our italian. Uscita is literally translated "going out; exiting)
Well walking back up to my room for a half hour break, before the uscita, I was in very low spirits. After my break, I was a bit more rested and reenergized and so I was ready to try out the uscita. I was put into a group of about five and we were accompanied by two Italian guys. And so our two hour adventure of ONLY speaking Italian began. I was nervous but I was also trying to keep an open mind.
Two hours later and a nice cappuccino, I was feeling really good about everything that happened during my uscita. At first it was dificult to understand what my two guideds were tring to tell the group (especially when I had to go into a photo booth to get passport pictures. It was all in Italian and I didn't know how to work the macchine!) But as time went on, understanding the guides, Alesandrio and Phillipo, became easier. They were very helpful and understanding that we were pretty helpless haha. Our first stop was the post office. The purpose of going to the post office was to get our residence permit. If it wasn't for Alesandrio, I don't think I would have been able to get my permit because I could not understand the teller and he could understand my broken Italian. Alesandrio came to my rescue and helped me through every step!
When we all were helped and received our permits, we were taken to a bar ( in Italy a 'bar' is not like an American bar but like a caffe') At the bar we had to practice ordering and so I went up to the 'barista' and said "vorrei un cappucinno, per foavore." As I sat down at a table with my cappucinno, my group and Alesandrio and Phillipo were able to just talk (in Italian) and chill. It was a lot of fun and a great experience. This week of intensive Italian is going to be very challenging but a great way of learning the language!
A domani!
So today was the first day of intensive italian! This morning everyone went to class for two hours and my professor spoke only in Italian. Once class started I began to realize how little of the language I actually know. I became so overwhelmed that I was on the verge of tears... I was thinking "how in the world am I going to survive the uscita?" (The 'uscita' is where we go out with italian guides and either go to a caffe', book store or post office and use our italian. Uscita is literally translated "going out; exiting)
Well walking back up to my room for a half hour break, before the uscita, I was in very low spirits. After my break, I was a bit more rested and reenergized and so I was ready to try out the uscita. I was put into a group of about five and we were accompanied by two Italian guys. And so our two hour adventure of ONLY speaking Italian began. I was nervous but I was also trying to keep an open mind.
Two hours later and a nice cappuccino, I was feeling really good about everything that happened during my uscita. At first it was dificult to understand what my two guideds were tring to tell the group (especially when I had to go into a photo booth to get passport pictures. It was all in Italian and I didn't know how to work the macchine!) But as time went on, understanding the guides, Alesandrio and Phillipo, became easier. They were very helpful and understanding that we were pretty helpless haha. Our first stop was the post office. The purpose of going to the post office was to get our residence permit. If it wasn't for Alesandrio, I don't think I would have been able to get my permit because I could not understand the teller and he could understand my broken Italian. Alesandrio came to my rescue and helped me through every step!
When we all were helped and received our permits, we were taken to a bar ( in Italy a 'bar' is not like an American bar but like a caffe') At the bar we had to practice ordering and so I went up to the 'barista' and said "vorrei un cappucinno, per foavore." As I sat down at a table with my cappucinno, my group and Alesandrio and Phillipo were able to just talk (in Italian) and chill. It was a lot of fun and a great experience. This week of intensive Italian is going to be very challenging but a great way of learning the language!
A domani!
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Fiesole
Ciao Rigazzi!
Today was the groups first feild trip on the bus! We started out by taking a trip to the piazzale Michaelangelo, which coming upon reveals an incredible view of downtown Florence! So you get to see the beautiful Tuscan housing, the Duomo and the Uffizi! After seeing the overview of Florence we got on the bus to head for our next adventure!!
About twenty minutes later we pull up into Fiesole. I felt right at home in this city because it was the site of Etruscan ruins! Kate and I were going crazy exploring the amphitheater, the baths and an Etruscan temple dedicated to Minerva(Athena)!!! I was overcome with excitment because we were actually able to walk among the ruins of this temple! One could see the layout of the rooms and Kate and I even stumbled apon a Roman collonade that was fluted and an Estruscan capital with part of the column!! My inner nerd had died and went to heaven! haha
After exploring the ruins we trekked up this steep walkway that led to a church which also overlooked the Tuscan land, which was gorgeous! It had such vibrant colors of green and the hills were scattered with vineyards in every which direction! Then there were the villas that looked idealistic! My eyes could not take everything in at once and I had to sit there and marvel at all the beauty of what laid below me.
It was so beautiful to witness God's creation from the vantagepoint I had. With the way the sky was, the land and the city below, it all look as if it were a painting.
Today was the groups first feild trip on the bus! We started out by taking a trip to the piazzale Michaelangelo, which coming upon reveals an incredible view of downtown Florence! So you get to see the beautiful Tuscan housing, the Duomo and the Uffizi! After seeing the overview of Florence we got on the bus to head for our next adventure!!
About twenty minutes later we pull up into Fiesole. I felt right at home in this city because it was the site of Etruscan ruins! Kate and I were going crazy exploring the amphitheater, the baths and an Etruscan temple dedicated to Minerva(Athena)!!! I was overcome with excitment because we were actually able to walk among the ruins of this temple! One could see the layout of the rooms and Kate and I even stumbled apon a Roman collonade that was fluted and an Estruscan capital with part of the column!! My inner nerd had died and went to heaven! haha
After exploring the ruins we trekked up this steep walkway that led to a church which also overlooked the Tuscan land, which was gorgeous! It had such vibrant colors of green and the hills were scattered with vineyards in every which direction! Then there were the villas that looked idealistic! My eyes could not take everything in at once and I had to sit there and marvel at all the beauty of what laid below me.
It was so beautiful to witness God's creation from the vantagepoint I had. With the way the sky was, the land and the city below, it all look as if it were a painting.
Saturday, September 11, 2010
First week in Florence
Ciao famiglia e amichi!
After traveling a straight twenty-eight hours from Nashville to Florence, I have finally arrived! We arrived to the villa around 8:30 pm on Wednesday. After a long day of traveling everyone piled into the student center to await our room assignments. First thing I noticed was how decorated the student center was. The walls are covered with some decoration from each past group that has stayed in the villa. The decorations range from a glass collage that make up the doors that lead into the dinning area to a painted mural of the last supper. Each group gets to make their mark on the villa so I am excited for what our group is going to do!!
After going over a few things, Elizabeth, the director, began calling out room numbers. Kate, Jody and I got room 26, a three person bedroom! We were so excited to finally see where we were going to live for the next eight months of our lives! We lug our suitcases up three flights of stairs and come upon our room. We insert our key, turn the lock and walk inside. What we find is a small room with a single bed and a bunk bed with three wardrobes crammed altogether. As we begin exploring our room we figure out that we have a window with a nice view and a really nice bathroom! After getting acquainted with the room, we excitedly begin to unpack and settle in. When I was done settling in, I decided to explore the villa. What I came to find out was that I live in a really cool place. Part of the villa is made up of rooms that are very Italian in design with marble or wooden floors, patios with olive trees, stucco ceilings and a beautiful library with every book you can imagine!
Now it has been three whole days and I am absolutely loving this city. Everything is withing walking distance so there has been many excursions that have taken place. I love walking down the narrow streets of Florence and seeing cafes, markets and shops. One of my favortie shops is this 99 cent store that has practically everything you need. Going to these stores has forced me to use the little amount of Italian that I know. While is was extremely intimidating, I loved it!
I have also taken a walk to the Duomo. While I have seen the Duomo before, it has never been more breathtaking than when I saw it for the first time being Florence this year. As I walked up to it taking in its size and beautiful colors of the green, red and white marble. It is just magnificent! It has this stunning contrast against the sky and the buildings around it. It amazes me to think that men could have built this ginormous cathedral!
I thank God everyday for this experience that he has provided for me! I have truely been blesse by Him.
Ci vediamo!
After traveling a straight twenty-eight hours from Nashville to Florence, I have finally arrived! We arrived to the villa around 8:30 pm on Wednesday. After a long day of traveling everyone piled into the student center to await our room assignments. First thing I noticed was how decorated the student center was. The walls are covered with some decoration from each past group that has stayed in the villa. The decorations range from a glass collage that make up the doors that lead into the dinning area to a painted mural of the last supper. Each group gets to make their mark on the villa so I am excited for what our group is going to do!!
After going over a few things, Elizabeth, the director, began calling out room numbers. Kate, Jody and I got room 26, a three person bedroom! We were so excited to finally see where we were going to live for the next eight months of our lives! We lug our suitcases up three flights of stairs and come upon our room. We insert our key, turn the lock and walk inside. What we find is a small room with a single bed and a bunk bed with three wardrobes crammed altogether. As we begin exploring our room we figure out that we have a window with a nice view and a really nice bathroom! After getting acquainted with the room, we excitedly begin to unpack and settle in. When I was done settling in, I decided to explore the villa. What I came to find out was that I live in a really cool place. Part of the villa is made up of rooms that are very Italian in design with marble or wooden floors, patios with olive trees, stucco ceilings and a beautiful library with every book you can imagine!
Now it has been three whole days and I am absolutely loving this city. Everything is withing walking distance so there has been many excursions that have taken place. I love walking down the narrow streets of Florence and seeing cafes, markets and shops. One of my favortie shops is this 99 cent store that has practically everything you need. Going to these stores has forced me to use the little amount of Italian that I know. While is was extremely intimidating, I loved it!
I have also taken a walk to the Duomo. While I have seen the Duomo before, it has never been more breathtaking than when I saw it for the first time being Florence this year. As I walked up to it taking in its size and beautiful colors of the green, red and white marble. It is just magnificent! It has this stunning contrast against the sky and the buildings around it. It amazes me to think that men could have built this ginormous cathedral!
I thank God everyday for this experience that he has provided for me! I have truely been blesse by Him.
Ci vediamo!
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