mary raine takes italy

buongiorno from italy! this is part one (of many, hopefully) of my study abroad experience in florence, italy -- land of pizza, gelato, wine, art, and beautiful architecture. i have been here for a little over 24 hours and have gotten all settled into my apartment, met my awesome italian roommate (elisa), adventured through piazzas, gotten lost a few times, eaten delicious pizza, eaten gelato, and taken a walking tour through the city.

our first gelato run! really this post should be called "mary raine AND SWEET FRIENDS take italy." so thankful for these people. these three were my travel buddies. couldn't have made it without them and so pumped to spend the entire semester traveling and learning with them. and the rest of the people in our program. i'd call it a stacked line-up. lots of fun people and fun adventures to come!

more sweet friends. we made it to the school for orientation. AND we were early. crazy, i know.

my apartment is just about a 5 minute walk from the florence cathedral, or the duomo (a 15th century architectural feat and florence icon--you can actually see it from our back window!) and about a 15 or 20 minute walk from the CET center where we will have classes (so we are told...the one time we have been we walked way out of the way. those were my navigation skills at work--oops! still learning the city obviously).

my room:

roomies:

entry hall

living room

 kitchen

terrace (WONDERFUL to sit on at night)

 the duomo out the back window...it's casual

bathroom

so far, i have learned a lot:

you can take the girl out of america, but you can't take the american out of the girl. silly but true. 

you know you're an american when:

-you almost fall while walking on the sidewalk. everything here is old. awesome, except that it makes for uneven footing and some unexpected trips (i love puns). don't worry, i have only had one almost-wipeout. at least i was wearing my chacos...

-you point at things

-you talk loudly (i am working on not being "that girl" but am by nature a loud talker. win.)

-you wear shorts (or so i'm told. still definitely planning on it.)

-you are always sweating wearing as little as possible while italians are walking around in jeans and sweaters in this blazing heat. i think they have magical powers. 

-you clutch your bag at all times

-you have your map out at all times

p.s. don't worry, i will be learning more legitimate/important things (like the italian language...kind of important) once classes start monday. 

i may or may not be guilty of doing all these things. needless to say, i have a lot to learn. this leads me to yet another list. things i am hoping to gain/learn from this experience:

-european style. so chic. bring it on.

-italian. how to communicate on a basic/conversational level. is this possible in four months? not sure...but i'm going to aim high here

-travel. how to organize trips and actually go independently (not alone, mom and dad, don't worry...with friends! just on my own. i'm feeling like it's pretty big to just get on a plain/train and bop on over to another country. cool.)

-history. a love and appreciation for it.

-art. basics and creativity. skills and passion for it.

-faith. how it looks living on my own and outside the bible belt. how the Lord will continue to be with me, protect me, and even teach me even outside my known community and body of believers. 

i'm ready. bring it on. can't wait.

ciao for now!