Day 20

         I cannot believe that I only have one week left in Firenze! Where has the time gone? I feel like I just got here and I don’t want to leave anytime soon! I have enjoyed this trip so much and have grown to love most of the people I am traveling with! I went in knowing no one and am coming out with just about 24 good friends. Anyway, so today was a very long day. Nothing too interesting happened in Italian class today. I still have my cold so I was getting up every 5 seconds to blow my nose and didn’t pay too much attention in class. My morning/early afternoon remained consistent, with lunch at the Oil Shoppe and a quick stop for gelato at my favorite place! Of course I got pistachio, but I decided to try a new flavor as well and had a little bit of the simple plain vanilla. Both were delicious! Tomorrow, I have a quiz in Italian and a presentation for my leadership class, so I spent a good few hours working away on my presentation and studying. Later today, our school in Florence led a hike to the top of Fiesole, an area in Florence. It was lead by Lorenzo, one of the head people at the school. Our hike consisted of many college students from all different schools; it was fun to interact with more than just Northeastern students. Let me tell you, this hike was beautiful! It started right near a very famous upscale hotel, which was originally constructed in the 15^th century. They were preparing for a private wedding, which we heard through the grapevine was someone very important. We went with Justin Timberlake’s and Jessica Biel’s wedding. The hike itself, felt like it was deep into the woods as we hiked up steep hills surrounded by trees and on a rocky terrain. Periodically, we stopped at high points to admire the view and take thousands of pictures. Eventually we ended up in an area of civilization, where we continued to walk through the streets and look admire the views along the beautiful terrain. We walked up steep streets and had fun running up them occasionally to get in our exercise. Fiesole was truly beautiful! It felt similar to Chianti, but without the thousands of olive trees, grape vines and vineyards. The hike consisted of good company and beautiful sites, so what is not to like!

            At dinner, Regina and I were introduced to our new roommate staying at our homestay. She is from Mexico City and is the nicest girl ever! She mentioned that four years ago she studied abroad in Florence and kept in touch with our host mom, and now has made her way back here for a month to study photography. She is fluent in Spanish and English and is almost fluent in Italian. Therefore, we were able to have some great conversations at dinner. I can’t wait to get to know her more over the next week! Its great to have a new face at our home :) 

Hiking in Fiesole!