Day 6

My Italian class is starting to finally get a little better. I am starting to pick a little bit more Italian up and understand it too. Bravo, to me! After our morning Italian class today, we went back to our favorite sandwich shop, run by Pino, the wine tasting host! I decided to make my own sandwich with mozzarella, tomato, pesto and spinach. It was delicious. After lunch two of the girls and I decided to head to the Duomo, the most well known church in Florence in the center of the city. The church I believe was built back in the 1300’s at the latest. Today it is still an active church that is also open to tourist to walk through and climb up both the dome and bell tower. We went to climb the dome today, where when you reach the top you can see ALL of Florence! It was beautiful! Climbing to the top was an adventure within itself though. The stairs we climbed were narrow and then spiral and then steep. Lets just say it was a great stair workout! Myself and the girls I was with, made sure to hold up everyone behind us, as we stopped every few steps to take pictures, we wanted to capture every moment and I am almost 100% sure we did. Once we reached the top of the dome, it was almost jaw dropping. I knew Florence was bella (pretty), but overlooking the entire city was amazing. After, we finished our workout at the Duomo, we made sure to make a quick to stop for gelato at the chocolateria, Florence’s best gelato! Then it was back to schoola for our leadership class, led by our professoria. The class was actually very interesting. We discussed emotional intelligence and the factors that make it up (self-awareness, self- regulation, motivation, empathy and social skill) in relation to leadership. The point’s people mentored, mainly based on personal experience, were all well thought out and started great discussion. After class a group of us went to the San Lorenzo, shopping market. I saw a few leather necessities, but decided to hold back and look around before making my final purchases, while in Italy. The day flew by pretty fast, but ended perfectly with diner. Signora made a quiche using philo dough as the crust; it almost looked more like pizza. It was amazing! Sorry mom, but that was the best quiche I have ever had! Well I am going to have to call it a day, buono notte amici! 

Top of the Duomo!