January 31

Ponte Vecchio. Photo brought to you at the request of my mom (Miss ya, Mama)! After taking the tram to explore the suburbs of Florence and the Walmart of Italy (called Coop), three of my roommates and I headed out for a late dinner at Dante's Trattoria across the river. We had heard rumors that the restaurant is overly friendly to students (geez, I wonder why) and gives away a lot of free food and drinks. Well, "free" is one of my favorite words, so I was hooked. The restaurant was filled with American students, drawn in by the offer of free wine. Dante is on to something, isn't he?! I ordered the vegetarian pizza with mushrooms, tomatoes, eggplant, and zucchini. Dante himself brought our table shots, yes shots, of limoncello, Bailey's, and grappa. Oh my. I think I officially achieved old lady status when I was hoping for some free dessert instead of shots! Who can say they're surprised? Though Dante's wasn't the most authentic of Florentine eateries, I know that I'll be back. 

January 30

What's that?! A secret bakery?! This photo was taken around 2am this morning. We had heard that secret bakeries existed in Florence and we finally found one--with our noses! The bakery is "secret" because it isn't supposed to sell directly to customers, rather sells wholesale to restaurants in the city and only bakes in the dead of night. Notice the "Be quiet PLEASE" sign? They won't serve you if you are being too loud. First, you have to knock on the door and wait for someone to come out to take your order. We asked for 4 chocolate croissants (one euro each!) and met a few other Americans doing the same thing in the meantime. The croissant was warm and so rich. I have to share with you something my Italian teacher, Luca, said today that I feel really embodies the Italian way. He was commenting on how Americans are always rushed in the morning, wielding coffee cups in their outstretched hands, rushing from one place to the next. Coffee shops here (called "bars") only serve drinks in glasses--there's no such thing as "to go." Luca said that after leaving a coffee shop, one should always "leave with a full stomach and empty hands." I love that!

January 29

My own take at Tuscan White Bean Soup! After wandering the chilly stone (but breathtaking) walls of the Uffizi Museum and taking in some Botticelli and Michelangelo, I wanted something to fill me up and warm me up.  Enter...delicious soup! It has been an absolute pleeeeasure cooking in Italy. The apartment came stocked with basic utensils and appliances, and with the proximity of the Central Market, I've enjoyed buying fresh ingredients and making my own creations. Hey, it saves me a buck and let's me experiment in the kitchen--win, win. Tonight, we are going out! The American students seemed to have arrived by storm overnight and the city is full of us. Yes, Americans really are that easy to spot. 

January 28

Painting a fresco at the Uffizi Museum. Busted on a repeat outfit from yesterday! Today our morning session took us to the Uffizi for a lesson in fresco painting from an artist on staff. We learned about the lime and sand it takes to make the fresco "canvas" and how paint colors are made with minerals and things. Some colors even come from tiny dried spiders...eek. While I may not be the next Michelangelo, I was pretty darn satisfied with how my bird turned out!

January 27

View of Florence from the beautiful Piazzale Michelangelo. Spot the Duomo?! The Piazza is known for its stunning panoramic views of the city. You can't really tell, but I am sitting on the steps of an outdoor amphitheater where some friends and I were able to take in some live music! It's Kelly's 21st birthday today and I'm posing with her delicious birthday pastries she shared with everyone. I had a fruit torte--deeeeeelish. Florence was buuustling today because the weather was warmer than usual. Streets were packed with families wielding gelato and shopping bags. 

January 26

As promised! The cheesy, touristy Leaning Tower photo. Today was awesome! I had trouble choosing a photo for today--what a great problem to have. A few of us organized to go on a tour of greater Tuscany (wiiiiine country) through a company called Walkabout Florence. It was great to have all the details worked out for us--transportation, where to go, food, timeline, etc! We left Florence via charter bus at 8:30 and arrived in Siena about an hour later. Siena was charming (I don't like that word, but it really suits the place)! The main piazza--il Como--was huge and open and full of locals. Much quieter than Florence. Almost had the "feel" of an American college town. Yes, Mom, you'd love it there. Then, we went to an organic farm and winery near San Gimignano (which I like to call San Jimmy John's) where we ate lunch. Bruschetta, pasta with fresh tomato sauce, mixed salad, Pecorino, an egg omelette, almond biscotti and 4 kinds of wine! Did you have to unbutton your pants just reading that?! I sat next to a couple from Australia who owns a raw foods cafe and a family of jewelry importers from China. We got on the bus again to head into San Gimignano. It was a bizarre mix of Middle Ages and tourism. There were essentially no locals, a few tourist shops, and just a sprinkling of people crossing through the streets. Beautiful, yes, but it seemed like it was frozen in time just for tourists. Then, on to Pisa! Pisa was almost beachy with it's palm trees. The Leaning Tower is surrounded by a Cathedral square--I always pictured it being much more isolated. Surreal to see something in person that I've seen so many photos of since childhood. Loved doing so much in one day!

January 25

The view in Fiesole. Today we took a 20 minute bus ride to Fiesole--a town surrounding Florence. Tourists were few and the views were plenty! The town is actually older than Florence itself and has many churches still around from the Renaissance. We were huffing and puffing once we finally made it to the top of the hill. It was steep, like triple black diamond steep. It was easy to point out the Duomo in the view! B-e-a-utiful. 

January 24

I call this photo "cultural immersion." Today our morning session was a guest lecture by a communications professor at LdM. What sounded initially like a snooze fest turned into an insightful discussion on Italian culture. Italian class today consisted of a hilarious story by Professor Luca about hand sanitizing "jelly." It has been so cool to learn a language and then immediately be able to practice it in conversation! The most recommended restaurant has been Gusta Pizza and tonight my roommates and I finally tried it out! Super thin, wood-fired pizza with salty crust and outrageous mozzarella. De-lish and cheap! We did SHARE the bottle of wine. Don't get any wrong ideas. 

January 23

The not so glamorous parts of European living. The ominous shadow is fitting for today. Today was a mess of technical difficulties. Am I just rough with appliances or electronics?! (Ok ok, sometimes I do pick up my open laptop by only the screen, but that's besides the point). I have already broken a pot and glass and pulled a piece of plastic of the dishwasher. Everything seems so fragile! I am having trouble with the adapter/converter I brought from home. My phone and iPad have been charging for, ehh, 2% and then stop taking a charge. My iPad even spat out a "Not charging" notification. I am figuring it out, though! I tried to do my first load of laundry today and the machine locked my clothes in the door and never turned on! The landlord is coming to fix it tomorrow (we hope). Totally dreading sleeping without my wool socks and sweatpants tonight. Otherwise, today was great. Had a great run along the Arno and a tourist stopped ME to ask for directions. I'm a real Florentine now. Trip to wine country in the works for this weekend!

January 22

Hello from Mercato Centrale! This food market is in the center of the city and  literally--yes, literally--20 feet away from our apartment building. Look at dem veggies! This morning, a professor from the cooking department gave us a tour of the market and then we made an incredible lunch. I could listen to him talk all day! He taught us so much about how to navigate the market, choose the freshest and cheapest goods, and where to go for student discounts. We got everything we need for our lunch at the market--SO fresh. We made focaccia sandwiches (homemade bread), pesto with homemade pasta, chicken and eggplant, and chocolate tortes with fruit salad. OMG. More Italian class this afternoon. Made black bean and sweet potato stew for my dinner. What a day of good eatin'.

January 21

Boar statue in the city center. Today, we began our 2 week survival Italian course! Since UNC gets here earlier than all of the other university students, we take a course all together before "real" classes start.  In the mornings, we have some kind of field trip planned and in the afternoons we have 2 hours of Italian. This morning, an LdM professor gave us a walking tour of the city. He was great and very animated and loved telling us about legends of the city. He showed us this boar statue. If you rub his nose and call him "darling" in Italian, you can put a coin in his mouth. If the coin lands in the grate below, you have good luck. Not to worry people, my coin fell in the grate! After lunch at the apartment, I went to my Italian course where we started with the very basics. Dinner was a pepper, tomato, mozzarella, spinach and eggplantpanini from Pino's for 3.50. 

January 20

In front of the River Arno. Today was a rainy day (rainy day take 2) in Firenze. I walked around the city again today! I am finally feeling like I have my bearings. The city is by NO means organized on a grid and it's been hard to learn all of the streets. Not to mention, with a pizza place and gelateria on every corner, it's even hard to distinguish landmarks. I had my first gelato today! Half banana, half coffee. Another thing I've learned--through some embarrassing moments--is that you can never predict whether you should push or pull a door! Woops.

January 19

Nighttime view from the apartment. Today was a rainy day in Florence. I was able to explore across the river and I really love that part of the city. Much quiter and residential. We stocked up on needed goods for the apartment today at the one euro store (just like a dollar store in the states!). Tonight, we met up with a big group from our program and tried out some local bars. Tomorrow there's more rain on the forecast, but I don't think it'll keep me inside! I still feel like there's so much to see. 

January 18

Me and Kelsey on Via Faenza. Tonight, LdM treated us to (or should I say--our tuition covered) a 3 course Italian meal at Acqua al 2. First course was 5 pastas: Broccoli cheese, spinach, pumpkin and rosemary, vegetable ragu, and gnocci with spicy tomatoes. Second course was a salad trio: Greek, corn, and fennel with cabbage. Third course was 4 desserts: Cheesecake, flourless chocolate, tiramisu (means "pick me up" in Italian), and torta della Nonna (Grandmother's pie). Plus, CHIANTI!

January 17

After dropping out bags at our apartment, Kelsey--my roommate at UNC and now my roommate in Florence--and I set out to explore. After a lunch (breakfast to us?) of zucchini omelets and bean soup at the market, we self-toured (student budget!) the Duomo--the church that's huge and marks the middle of the city. Must-keep-eyes-open...

January 16

Flying into Florence over the snow-capped Alps. On all 3 of my flights, I had my entire row to myself--seemed too good to be true. I watched Pitch Perfect (didn't live up to the hype) and read Gone Girl (caaa-razy). Landed without a hitch.

January 15

Weighing in at a cool 49 lbs, I am good to go. This suitcase came with me to Ghana, where it survived muddy, unpaved roads and the roofes of many tro-tros. I'm sure it will do just fine in Florence. I'll be in the air at 1:10pm tomorrow.

January 14

This horrible and scary photo is from my Italian visa application. I was asked not to smile, but I should have been asked to put on a little bit of makeup...or a headband.

And so it begins

I will use this blog to post a one photo + caption a day (short and sweet, plus I'd rather the photos do the talking), but I felt that the first post should give some background about me and what my life will be like in Florence.

Here I go. I am about to begin what I can only assume will be an unforgettable four months. I am anxious to see what is ahead of me, excited to live in a foreign country, and confident that I'll walk away as a better version of myself. Sheesh, heavy stuff! Really, I am beyond excited to take advantage of all traveling has to offer.

On January 16, I will be flying from Charlotte, to Philadelphia, to Frankfurt, Germany, and on to Florence, Italy. I'll be in Florence until May 19 studying at the Lorenzo de'Medici Institute (LdM). So, why Florence?! Since taking Latin as a small 6th grader, I began to feel a strong pull towards all things Italian. I learned about about the intricacies of Italian culture; the rich yet tormented history of the Roman Empire; how Vesuvius rendered Pompeii frozen in time; the desperation of a gladiator as he begs for a “thumbs up” from the arena; and how Latin is actually very much alive to this day. Nerded out yet? I was sold. I wanted—needed—to visit Italy. It's history seemed to come right out of a Hollywood blockbuster. Thus began my fascination with Italian history and culture--and 7 (long) years of studying Latin.

So, Caroline, if you're "so passionate" about Italy, you must be nearly fluent in Latin by now. At least know some Italian? Wrong. Ask me sometime about the story of how I tried to take Latin as a first semester freshman at Carolina. It's painfully awkward and uncomfortable--the best kind of story. Anyways, no, I do not speak a lick of Italian. My classes will be taught in English, but I will be taking Italian at LdM. Let's hope my good 'ol Latin foundation will help me out. One of the reasons I chose Florence was because LdM does not have a language prerequisit.

I don't have any classes on Friday, so that leaves plenty of time for weekend travel. Rome? Gotta see it. Vesuvius? Gotta climb it. Pisa? Gotta take the classic tourist holding-up-the-tower illusion picture. Naples? Gotta taste that pizza. Almafi Coast? Could the water be any bluer? There is also abundant CHEAP airfare that will allow me to travel out of Italy, too. I am dying to see London, return to Paris, visit Amsterdam, and see Spain (Maggie, I'm comin' for you).

If I have learned anything about myself, it's that I feel the most confident, the most proud, and the happiest when I live slightly out of my comfort zone. You know that feeling of being nervous before trying something new? It can be something as small as trying a new group fitness class, waiting at a coffee shop to meet a stranger, or paying someone a truly heartfelt compliment. It is in these moments that I feel the most fulfilled. Trying new things, though often nervewracking, almost always pays off. These next four months are certain to push me (far) out of my comfort zone. Sometimes, probably, too far. But, I can't forget that it will pay off.

The title of the blog comes from one of my favorite passages from Elizabeth Gilbert's Eat, Pray, Love. The book tells Liz's true story of how she lived in Italy, India, and Bali for one year, leaving her comfortable life as a writer in New York. She starts her year abroad spending four months in Rome. When studying Italian with her tutor, she learns the word "attraversiamo" which means "let's cross over." As in, let's cross over the street. It's an ordinary word that Liz admires for it's beautiful sounds. I love this passage and want to do just that: cross over. Cross over into adventure, a new culture, a better version of myself.