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.