Giardino delle Rose

On the way down from our San Miniato walk, Cassy and I noticed an open gate leading into the most beautiful giardino delle rose- or rose garden.  Apparently, the owners open up their garden every spring for about a month and let people roam through.  There were roses, lemons, artichokes, peppers, and my persona favorite, peonies all in bloom.  The place smelled so clean and fresh.  Cassy and I took a nice little romantic stroll through the roses, under arbors, and by fountains. The place is incredible because it looks over Florence and you can literally see Santa Maria del Fiore (the Duomo) from this garden. I love flowers oh so much so this was such a great treat.  I am going to try to go back again before they close the gate.

San Miniato

Another little day excursion that FSU takes their students on is a walk to San Miniato, a church that over looks Florence.  Nero, one of the professors, gives a little history lesson about Florence in general and the church.  The church is one of the oldest in Florence and has been said to be one of the prettiest. The fresco's in the church are magnificent and the inside it pretty nice too.  I don't know if it's the prettiest church ever because it is large, quite, cold, and somewhat dark, but I can appreciate the amazing marble work and the beautiful ceilings.  There are still monks that live there and they chant before the mass on Sunday evening.  

In my opinion, the view of Florence is the best part. 

Lucca and Pisa

The day after our day trip to Siena and San Gimignano, some friends and I decided to go on another day trip.  After becoming frustrated with looking at train schedules and tickets, we decided to just show up at the train station on Saturday morning.  When we arrived at the train station, we saw that there was a train leaving for Lucca in less than 10 minutes and it only cost around 7 euro.  I remembered my mom telling me about this town and my friend Angie, who studied here last semester, loved Lucca so I was very excited to visit.

Lucca is a precious little town that sits inside the original city walls.  When we got off the train, it began to drizzle a bit so we walked along the top of the tree-covered wall.  We found a quaint little restaurant in a little piazza and had lunch.  Luckily, by the time we finished lunch, the rain had finished too.  We explored a somewhat creepy church and wondered through the town before discovering a tower we could climb.  For the price of only 3 Euro, we ascended the steps and came across the most beautiful view.  All of Lucca was spread out beneath us- the red terracotta roofs, the wall, and the hills beyond. It was beautiful.  After the tower, we continued to wander through the town, in and out of little shops, and eventually made our way back to the wall.  

We decided that since we were only about 15 minute train ride from Pisa, we mine as well go!  Unfortunately, by the time the train stopped in Pisa, the sky had opened up and it was pouring.  We decided to venture on and ran into a legalize marijuana parade thing.  It was interesting to say the least.  We made our way to the Leaning Tower and took the mandatory pictures before returning to the train station and running to our train. On the train, some smelly American boys who had attended the legalize pot rally decided to sit right next to us and chat the entire way back.  It made for an interesting train ride for sure. 

It was so fun to explore Lucca- I know why people speak so highly of it.  It's so quaint and so Italian. Returning to Pisa to see the Tower for the third time was nice too.  I always seem to forget how much it leans because pictures do not do it justice.  It was a perfect little day away. 

Siena and Sam Gimignano

On Friday, May 17 Sue took us on another day trip to two beautiful little towns, Siena and San Gimignano.  I had visited both places previously as a student but I was very excited to return.  The weather was forecasted to be rainy but we were pretty lucky; it only rained when we were eating lunch.  By the time we arrived at San Gimignano, it was overcast but perfect for taking pictures. 

The Eustrcians originally founded Siena because it is built on a hill around 1 BC (city’s built by rivers were founded by Romans).  All the streets in Siena are hilly but they all lead down to the main Piazza- Piazza del Compo.  This is a huge Piazza because every year there are horse races that actually take place in the Piazza.  The town is divided into different guilds and a horse represents each guild.   Apparently, it is a very big deal if your horse wins- there is crying and celebrating for days.  I would love to attend but Sue (our director) said it’s so crazy and packed, it’s only fun if you are given tickets to sit around the edges.  If not, everyone just huddles together in the middle.  Maybe one day I will go.

In the morning, we toured Siena’s cathedral.  It was just as beautiful as I remembered: pale pink and yellow marble on the outside, striking black and white stripped marble on the inside.  Their library’s ceiling is phenomenal.  We also toured the museum that houses the original stained glass window and statues from the church.

After this, we ate lunch and I was lucky enough to enjoy one of my favorite pasta dishes ever- pici with a simple pomodoro sauce.  I might have to attempt to make it when I return home to the states, if I am not sick of pasta by then!

We then boarded the busses for San Gimignano.  I was so excited to go back not only because it is the cutest little Tuscan town, but because one of their gelato shops won the esteemed honor of “Worlds Best Gelato” a few years ago.  It was delicious gelato too- I had white chocolate, pistachio, and raspberry with rosemary.  Then we walked around the town and I was completely awe struck at how beautiful Tuscany is in the summer- rolling green hills, red terracotta roofs, vineyards, puffy clouds- I think I may have to print a picture of it onto a canvas to stare at every day.

Tuscany truly is a special place. 

Fiesole

One of the very first trips Florida State takes their study abroad students on is a morning excursion to Fiesole; a town nestled on the hills above Florence.  Hundreds of years ago, it was where Florence's elite would go in the summers because it was cooler than the basin that Florence sits in.  Thousands of years before that, it was an Eustrician town.  Today, you can visit the Eustrician ruins and it is one of the only places where you can actually climb on and touch the ancient stones.  We saw the amphitheater, temple, gym, and baths.  This was my third time to Fiesole but it still did not disappoint.  It was pretty neat to go back in the summer since everything was green.  It's funny how much seasons can change the look of a place. 

After listening to Nero’s lecture, we took a short walk up to a Franciscan church.  There is a great look out point of Florence from the church.  After taking a few pictures, we attempted to go look at the church but there was a wedding happening.  Instead of going in the church, all 90 of us just stood outside and waited for the bride and groom to emerge.  If they were surprised to see a large group of American waiting, they didn’t show it.  Their actual guests threw rice and confetti at the couple for a good 5 minutes and we all took pictures of them, naturally. The last time I was in Florence, we accidently interrupted a wedding on a hike so it seems to be a tradition for me.  Not that I mind or anything seeing how I religiously watch Say Yes to the Dress with my sister.

It was a beautiful day and I am so glad I was able to explore this quaint town again. 

Sweet Reunion

I am back. Back where my heart is happy.  Back where I felt so at home.  Back where my soul felt at peace.

Back smelling the familiar smells- sweet rain on pavement, flowers blooming, pastries baking, waffle cones crisping, pasta sauce simmering, spicy new leather and yes, unfortunately, cigarette smoke wafting through the air.
Back walking the cobblestone streets and minuscule sidewalks.
Back hearing the vespas, rattly little cars, bike bells and chains clanging, horses clip clopping, people passing, and the Italian language flowing.
Back seeing the sights I had hoped and prayed I would remember- the walk to school pass the Palazzo Pitti, the hundreds of little shops with their window displays, the Ponte Vecchio, Palazzo della Signoria, the over the top wedding dress shop, the bakeries, leather markets, and of course, the Duomo.

Nothing has changed.
The same gypsies roam the Ponte Vecchio and Duomo.
The shops still have the same window displays.
The vendors still call out, "Cioa Bella!"
The sunsets are still spectacular.
The vastness of the buildings still shock me.
The age of the statutes and building is mind boggling (from 1000 AD!!!)
The markets are still some of the best in the world.
Mothers still usher their children into the preschool by my house.
Men still try to get you to buy their light up toys and wilting roses at night.
The Ponte Vecchio is still amazing.
The Duomo still took my breath away.

Nothing has changed expect for me.
I am so happy and appreciative to be back in this magical place. I know what I have gotten myself into this time and I know it is going to be another indescribable adventure.  I know how fortunate I am to come back and live in Italy for another 2 months.

After two years of hoping, wishing, praying, and planning, I am back in Florence.  And I am so so very happy.