I flew into Philly and Munich successfully and had an awesome flight over the Atlantic. We left a little later than we were supposed to but arrived on time. As soon as we got to cruising altitude, dinner was served; a tasty meal of rice and chicken, salad, a roll, and carrot cake which was surprisingly good. I watched "The Social Network" and "Salt" to get me though the rest of the evening before I attempted to go to bed... no such luck. I was smart and picked my seat a few days before my flight so I could see where there are empty seats on the plane. Since this was the third time I've flown over the Atlantic, I knew I didn't have to get a window seat and be squished by a fat German man, so I chose a seat in the middle where there were two other seats between me and another person. It didn't do me any good though since I couldn't sleep!! Not soon after I tried to lay down, did the lights come on in the cabin and the flight attendant came on saying, "Good morning ladies and gentlemen." So much for sleeping on the plane.
It was great to get to see familiar faces when I got to the airport in Munich. There were about eight of the thirteen of us on the same flight to Florence. It was so amazing to fly over the Alps!
We were picked up by the school and taken to our apartments. We are right on Via Calzaiuoli, the main drag between the Dumo and Piazza della Signoria. We live on the 5th floor of a super old building above a Disney store, and two hotels. Luckily we have an elevator. Even better is our terrace:
There is a bedroom on the street side that has a massive window that overlooks the crowded street below. Great big gray shutters close to cover our window and helps block the noise, or open to see the beautiful view of the Campanile and the top of the Duomo. To the right, you can see the tower to Palazzo Vecchio.
Everyday for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, I have something Italian. Whether it's a cornnetto all crema and a cappuccino in the morning, pizza magharita in the afternoon, or pasta al forno for dinner, it's pretty much the same thing everyday. We even cooked in our apartment the other night! We didn't have a ton of ingredients so we just made a simple penne rigate with a can of red sauce. Then a few nights ago, I made a full dinner for ten of our classmates at one of the girl's apartments. I made chicken parm with roasted potatoes and crostini. The girls bought all the ingredients and my flatmate, Chris (and my sous chef) and I cooked. It was a hit! Some of the girls went out and they said they could smell it three blocks away. All you could hear during dinner was the cling of forks and knives on plates. It was definitely interesting to improvise to the max. And yes, I did bring my chef outfit so I can feel all special when I'm cooking Italian food in Italy, as the bells are going off and the people are bustling outside.
Classes started last Tuesday and we started off with Renaissance Art History. It's actually not as bad as I pictured it. We only meet in the classroom once or twice during the semester, and the rest is on sight at the Uffizi, Accademia, or some other world class art museum which seems to be everywhere. In the morning, we meet in front of the Gates of Paradise to start class with visits to the Baptistery, Duomo, and Duomo museum. Italian was great! I signed up for Italian 210, a continuation of 110, and we took a test to see where we are at. Well the director of studies called me into her office the next day and said I scored the highest of everybody and there's no way I should be taking 210. I'm skipping 210, 250, and I'm moving up to 330. (Thank you Signora Lucchin!!!)
Mass was so fun! I went to noon mass at the Duomo Sunday morning and it was freezing!! My friend told me it would be cold, but it was more cold inside than outside! A little old priest who looked like he was about to fall over any second, motioned for us all to move forward and sit up closer. He then gave a little talk before mass began, in Italian. He came up to one of my friends and I and started talking to us in Italian. I was happy I could understand as much as I did. He was so happy to see young Americans at mass! He asked us where we were from and he told us all about the first time he went to America. He said he knew well, "New York upstate." His trip was three days before Robert Kennedy was assassinated and he saw saw what America was about. Also on his flight over, there were several Vietnam War veterans. Those two prominent moments in American history are the first impressions this little Italian priest had of Americans.
The best part is, I don't feel at all bit scared. I don't feel like I'm away from home, or I'm on a vacation. I'm really happy I can integrate myself so well into a culture that is actually way more simplistic than in America. The beds are only about 5'10" long, (I'm 6'3"), We only have heat for a few hours a day, no wireless internet in our place, no dishwasher, no oven, no dryer, zero counter space, and a super tight elevator. I'm not complaining, I just think that we are so spoiled, we don't realize that we waste so much. People have survived thousands of years without any of the things I just mentioned, so why do we need them? I'm sitting in a gelateria eating the best gelato in the world responding to a million backlogged emails. I need to slow it down and act more laid back like a true Italian. I'm here not only to live the sweet life, but the dolce vita!
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