Firenze

So it has been a few days now since I have been in Firenze and I love it! We got dropped off at the Duomo and were told that we had to schlep all of our bags to our apartment-only to be pleasantly surprised that we live exactly half a block from the steps of the most beautiful church I have ever seen! As we dragged all 31 pieces of luggage (we created a communal luggage pile) up to our apartment, I couldn’t wipe the smile off my face!!!!! We walked by Miu Miu, MaxMara and Furla to get to our 20 foot high double carved wooden doors! We dragged the luggage up the 8 flights of steps to the 3rd floor (which can also be reached via the 2"x2" elevator when pressing floor #2...Florence = Chelm). Now our place definitely makes up for all that the "lobby" and "elevator" lack because it is a MANSION! we have the entire floor- fully furnished with 6 bedrooms, 5 bathrooms and 3 lofts (one of which is officially the dance party room, the yoga room, the storage room, and Rachel and Carly's closet!
We have a kitchen which is attached to the washing machine which is attached to the drying rack which is attached to the dishwasher- so lets just say that I wont be spending much time cooking! All of the rooms have a feel about them- mine, which I share with Cara, is very antique looking! we have a marble fireplace (which used to contain a portrait that oddly resembled hitler above it- obviously took that down) and huge windows with shutters...when I look out my window to the left, I can practically touch the Duomo!
We have been having parties at our place almost every night before we head out to the bars and clubs, and it has been a blast! I have made so many new friends and also have the pleasure of sharing my amazing experiences with some old ones as well!
Speaking of sharing experiences with those that I love-I couldn't be more excited to be living 10 minutes from Ian! The walk from my apartment to his is beautiful (as I have to cross the Ponte Vecchio) and it is a safe one too (don’t worry mom, lynn and jodi). His friends are great and we have been having an amazing time! We went to a club called Maracana for his birthday- and I have to shamefully admit that I fully enjoyed the bar-mitzvahesque music they played all night!
I started class today- I had jewelry making and Wine and Culture class. Jewelry making was wonderful- I already made a ring out of silver, which I molded and soldered myself. I picked out a black onyx stone with a roman warrior head engraved in it, which will be set in a bevel on the ring!
My wine class deserves a blog all to itself! it was so great! Aside from getting absolutely hammered off all of the amazing wine- I actually learned a lot about the color, texture, and smell of the wine in relation to where the grapes come from and how long the wine has aged! (see dad-not a waste…just wasted)
Well I love and miss you all very very much! I have to admit that I was a bit homesick tonight…must be directly related to my first night staying in in over a week!
I have my other two classes tomorrow- advertising and web portfolio presentation- tomorrow, which I am very excited about!
I love and miss you all!
Ciao!
Becca