Classes!

Ok, so I lied when I said the rest of my posts would be more organized. I have been so busy, the only time I can find to write, is right before bed. And even then, I'm rushing to get into bed so I can try to sleep before waking up for another busy day. We literally walk everywhere, my aching feet just want to lay in bed!

Today was the start to classes! What a hectic and busy day. This morning I met a friend for lunch and walked around the city. Then I had a meeting to schedule the time of my Italian Beginning part 2 class, because there are only 5 of us. I cannot wait to start reviewing Italian! I find myself speaking half Italian and half Spanish, and then I get confused and have to finish in English. Give me a week or two and I'll be back to speaking fluently in my absolute horrendous broken Italian :). After scheduling my class time, my friend and I darted off to our first class, which was History Of Photography. Honestly not the most interesting of classes, but I need to take it for my major requirements, and what better place to take it than Florence? We will be spending some time in Museums in Tuscany, and seeing some famous Italian photographers, so I can't wait for that! After my first class I met up with another friend to walk around the city a bit more, exploring, and then had my second class from 4:45-7:30. About this second class..

I have to say that I was really reluctant to take this class (as of yesterday). Not because the class didn't sound amazing, because it DOES. It's weaving, when will I ever get the chance to take a weaving class again? But I was a bit nervous because we have to take a 10 minute bus ride (located near the train station, which is already a 15 minute walk from my apartment) and have to take the bus back at night. Yes 7:45 is not late at night, but remember it gets dark at about 5 here! But after having the first day of class, I really can't let the bus stop me. The class is located in an old Italian fabric factory, that is still open for making sheets and bedding. Our class is in a room upstairs, in a freezing building with ancient weaving looms hanging from the ceiling. Maybe one of the coolest places to learn how to weave. I couldn't be more excited. We started our first projects today, just a sampler project. But we learned how to start the weaving process and how to cut our Warps and Wefts. (Some weaving terms there for you!). Any way, my apartment mate is actually taking the class with me which is very comforting to know that we can walk back to our apartment together.

After class today my apartment mate and I went grocery shopping, which I desperately needed to do. (Bought some Muesli - the most amazing kind of Granola that just does NOT taste the same in the US. You were right Greer. The dried banana and strawberries are to die for) some Yogurt and banana's and pears etc. Shopping at the huge outside markets in town are really overwhelming and they haven't been open when we try to go, but tomorrow we will be buying our produce there. They have the best fresh fruits, meats, and vegetables for the best prices. Also, an interesting fact. In little indoor grocery stores in Italy, you do NOT touch the fruit. You either wear plastic gloves and choose what you want, then you have to weight and label your own fruit, or have the owners hand you the fruit themselves. Anyway, then we headed down the street for a quick sandwich and of course some gelato. I am not letting myself eat gelato for a few days, I think 3x in the last 4 days is enough for me...at least for right now!

A quote from roommate - "I have to live it up so that the people at home living through me will have the best experience too..I'm full but, I think we need Gelato" - it didn't take more than that one sentence to have me eating Gelato, after I had been denying it to myself all day.

Tomorrow I have my first day of Photography and Jewelry design! Wish me luck,

Ciao,
-Dev