Chi non risica- Non rosica

Chi non risica, non rosica. Or nothing ventured, nothing gained is partially what this trip has been about. I have realized within the past week of traveling by myself that if I was not willing to take certain risks in my life, I probably would not achieve anything or gain anything from the experience. While I was planning my trip to Italy, there were many people who were shocked to find out that I was going to another country where I didn't speak the language for a month. I totally understand where they were coming from, but it was a risk that I wanted to take, and I can already tell it is paying off!

The past three days have been a whirlwind of good food, meeting new people, and embracing all the art (and there is A LOT of it)! Friday, was a particularly beautiful day here in Florence, where I set out to the Uffizi gallery bright and early.





Since I reserved my ticket in advance (I would suggest doing this if anyone plans on visiting the museum!), I had some time to spare so I decided to play around with my camera, and take pictures of some of the sites by looking at their reflection in the puddles...very fun!











Then I waited in line to enter the museum...to say I was excited would be a gross understatement! I have been wanting to go since I took my first art history class my senior year of high school, and even more so after I took the Artist in the Renaissance class in college.





When I made it in, and walked up the 4 long flights of stairs you must take to even enter the gallery, I was overwhelmed by the amount of pieces! I mean, the first room I walked into had the 3 famous Madonna Enthroned pieces (Cimibue's, Giotto's, and the untitled earlier piece) that are a part of any beginning art history class. Incredible! My overall impressions other than the collection itself being completely overwhelming and the view of the Duomo and Arno river from the museum being spectacular











was that many of the pieces I studied in class were so much larger than I thought! This is why it is important (when you can) to see the actual works in person because the slides and pictures did not begin to do it justice, obviously!

On Saturday, I first woke up to say goodbye to my flatmate, Marco who was returning to her home in Switzerland. When I first met her, I didn't think she spoke much English, and that she only spoke Italian because that was the only way she would communicate with me, but I discovered the next day that she is from the French part of Switzerland, so we were able to communicate in both French and English from then on. I'm sad that she left so soon after I got here because we were starting to become fast friends. My Belgian flatmate Kevin, a friend of Marco's from school, Marco, and myself all were able to share a few bottles of wine though luckily the night before she left (it is interesting Trevor-the other American flatmate- doesn't really interact with anyone else, but stays a good portion of the time in his room? I kind of want to shake him, and be like dude you are in Florence!). Anyway, after Marco left my day was surrounded with food:) I decided to make a trip to the supermercato, which was a fun experience! There were rows upon rows of fresh bread,





two whole sections with JUST pasta,





and a gigantic section for cheese.





This is my kind of country! I picked up a few things then headed to the center where the Saturday market was going on with more venders selling more cheese, wine, and olive oil! There were also the best street musicians I've heard playing in the center, and I recorded them to share with others when I return home. (The violinist was the best!)





Today, Sunday, I decided to attend a mass! I did some research last night on churches to go to in Florence, and this one couple went here so I decided to try it out, as well:





For those of you who don't know, this is the Basillica of Santa Maria Novella, Florence's principal Dominican church. It's famous facade was designed by none other than Alberti! I guess technically tourists are not supposed to attend mass (as it says on a sign before you enter), but I played dumb and followed everyone else into the church. This rule did not seem to be very enforced, however because there were people who came in with suitcases...so I didn't feel that bad about crashing. Actually, I didn't at all because it was incredible! You are not allowed to take pictures of the interior, but it displays paintings and frescoes by famous artists including the classic art history example of Renaissance painting The Holy Trinity by Masaccio. While I had no idea really what was said, especially in what I would guess was the sermon, I followed along sitting and standing with everyone else. It was amazing to be in a church that size, and filled with such amazing artwork!

Well, my friend from Turkey gets into Italy tomorrow, so I'll be planning a trip to Milan this week to visit him:)
Ciao,
Rachel