Buon Compleanno Italia!

So, I wondered why they were decorating some of the main streets with Italian flags for the past few days...I found out today that it is Italy's 150th birthday so needless to say it was really busy in the main square,and the people (and their dogs) were all dressed in red, green, and white. Forget St. Patrick's Day when we have Italy's birthday to celebrate! So, BUON COMPLEANNO ITALIA!




Today was another great day where I got to put on my special nerd hat, and be an art historian for the day. I started off by walking early this morning to the l'Accademia to see my good friend David;) Before I entered the museum, I met this hilarious British couple who chatted with me in line. They asked me where I was from then the woman proceeded to ask her husband, "Oh! Doesn't your friend Herbert (yes, his name was Herbert) live in Indiana?" Her husband replied, "No love, he doesn't live in Indiana, he lives near San Diego. No where near Indiana." He then rolled his eyes and smiled at me. Not paying attention to what her husband just said she continued with, "I believe Herbert was a microbiologist..." only to be interrupted again by her husband, "Well, I don't think he would like you to call him that. (he turns to me) "he works with viruses." And his wife briefly adds, "But he started out as a microbiologist." I felt like I was in some movie because the dialogue between the two was brilliant!

Inside the Accademia, I got to marvel at all of Michelangelo's statues! It might be cliche to talk about David, but it is truly spectacular! I had studied it in many of my art history classes, but the pictures and slides do not even begin to do it justice! Look what I spotted in the bathroom...I had to take a picture:




I'm excited to nerd out even more tomorrow when I go to the Uffizi gallery!




After the museum, I went to a bookstore where I made two wonderful purchases and sat outside in this coffee shop located on the balcony of the bookstore (life is good). One of my purchases was what I think will be a perfect present for my sister, but I can't write about it here since she reads my blog. The other was a gift for myself, and if you know me well...you will understand why I am super excited about it (and it is all in Italian!) Take a look at the picture below:




For Malissa at Warren look at what else I spotted in the bookstore! You might want to show your students:





For the rest of the day, I went to the center of the city and watched the various festivities where there were many strange but entertaining events going on...








It was a fun surprise to be here during such a big celebration!

Ciao,
Rachel

PS. Can I just say THE FOOD!!!