Benvenuti in Italia

Since I'm writing my first post, I think you may have figured out that I have arrived safely in Firenze! First off, I am so grateful to have this opportunity and travel in another country by myself, which I can already tell will be a worthwhile push. I appreciate the support all of you have given me and continue to give me! Also, I am excited to actually be able to use the journal that Renee gave in the way it was intended. After my sophomore year at Illinois Wesleyan, I transferred schools for financial reasons, and had to postpone a trip to study in Italy. Renee (my wonderful roommate) then gave me a journal with a map of Italy on the front of it and wrote on the inside, "so, I think you may have noticed this is the perfect journal for you. I didn't get it to make you sad, but just as a little reminder that you ARE going to Italy one day and you will love it...I pray every day that you'll get that chance!"- well, Ren you were right, and only 3 years later, I am here:)






I can't really complain about my flight. I arrived on time to both Amsterdam and Florence, and I learned some random/silly facts during these two plane rides. 1)Only the KLM stewardess' wear the delightful light blue outfits whereas the stewards have to wear navy blue suits (in my opinion I think they both should have to wear the light blue color) 2)If you request a vegetarian meal on the plane, you not only receive your meal first, but you also receive more fruit than anyone else (basically because the meal was for even strict vegetarians so fruit was the substitute for cake and yogurt)And final one 3)Amsterdam airport has a restaurant where you can eat your meal in a giant teacup or teapot...not joking...photos to follow


Okay, moving on to arrival in Florence! On the plane I met this woman, Nancy from Oregon, who was making her 4th trip to Italy. She, like me, is staying in Italy for a month, but for two of those weeks she is going to take an Intensive Italian language course. We chatted the plane ride over, and Nancy from Oregon asked if I'd liked to share a cab...before I continue with that story I will describe my first glimpse of Italy. I had a window seat thankfully for this plane ride, and I made sure to take full advantage! As we began our decent, I remember first only seeing these extremely fluffy clouds, then the clouds seemed to disperse and I saw this beautiful expanse of green land with those cool Cyprus trees scattered all over. I felt like, and I feel even more that way now having driven through some of the city, that I am in a completely different world. There is so much green and then little red rooves scattered all over. Stunning!



Any who, back to Nancy from Oregon...we did end up sharing a cab which was fine until she kept on saying that she was going to be carsick, and asked if I had any extra bags... which i didnt and thankfully she didn't end up needing one. Nancy from Oregon was dropped off first, and then the cab driver was supposed to drop me off at my apartment, but it turns out that there are many streets with very similar if not the same name so basically I was dropped off 17miles from where my real apartment was. I of course did not know this since I have never been to Florence, but here started what I'm sure will be just one of many hiccups I'll have along the way. Making a long story short, I ended up calling my landlord who proceeded to tell that I was in the wrong place, so I went in search for another cab, which I found to be a little more difficult than I wouldve thought. While I was in search of one, however, it gave me the chance to get more of the feel of what I can tell is a wonderful city. I ended up finding where to get a cab by talking with these Italian high schoolers who didn't speak English, but instead gave me great directions in French. I then took another cab, and made it to the correct place where Leticia(the landlord) greeted me warmly. As for the apartment, it is spectacular, and she is so accommodating! My bedroom window opens out on the city, and the bathroom looks out on the amazing courtyard.






Well, I am now off to walk around...trying to hold off as long as possible to go to bed so that when I wake up tomorrow I'll be on Italy time! Maybe I'll try and order my first cup of coffee:)

Ciao,
Rachel