This weekend there was no planned trip to the Italian countryside. Instead, I chose this weekend to explore Firenze and relax. Friday night was my first night out in Firenze (as in going out drinking). The going out atmosphere here is very different from the United States. Most college students in the US are known to be excessive drinkers and having no limitations to moderate themselves. Here in Italy the US college students are still the same and stick out. The Italians on the other hand drink to have fun, but not to the point of not remembering what they did the night before or blacking out. The pub that I went with some friends was called Public House
. It was a small pub that was overflowing into the streets with drinkers. I find it fascinating at despite having no laws banning public drinking I have yet to see any Italians or Europeans drinking out on the streets irresponsibly. Anyways, the night was fun and the drinks were good. After flowing out on the streets we walked home quickly because of the drop in temperature from the early evening. Its averaging about mid 50s to low 60s now and at night it seems like its dipping into the lower 40s.I wish I had brought more heavy winter clothes.....thats where I guess packing light has its consequences; however, I went window shopping with my roommate and found some nice winter accessories that I hope to purchase. I have decided that instead of purchasing some nice Italian leather shoes, I will buy myself a nice wool peacoat instead, since the temperature is getting to be quite uncomfortable. I have been browsing for this peacoat and have found possible places; however, I think this will be my only purchase of this nature while I am here...prices range from 100 euro to 140 euro for the quality and material that I am looking at....yes...quite pricey, but something that I could and would wear often. In addition, I have found some nice sweaters to compliment the coat.
Besides window shopping and wishing I had a job to help supplement my wants of some European fashion, all day yesterday in Firenze was exciting. At 7:30am, I woke up and headed to the Academia with some friends. We waited for the Academia to open and wondering through the sculptures of Michelangelo and other famous Renaissance artists. It was amazing to see how these artists were able to take a slab of marble and intricately carve a human figure from nothing.
The center piece of course of the Academia was the statue of David. Standing 14 feet tall and having the details of a mighty human, David was an utterly amazing spectacle to witness. It was well worth my 10 euro for entry and can now be checked off my list of things to accomplish while I am here in Firenze.
Saturday afternoon my roommate, Lucas and my friend Elizabeth journeyed on the public bus up to the small town of Fiesole above Firenze. It was a beautiful vista and on top we visited a convent and monastery of St. Francis. At a public park we cracked open a bottle of Chianti, sliced a loaf of ciabatta, sliced some pecorino formaggio and laid out some freshly cut salami. It was a pleasant early evening picnic that overlooked the Firenze valley at sunset.
Today, I am headed to another calcio game. Firenze vs. Siena. I hope this time Firenze wins since last time it was a tie against Roma.
In between the calcio game before and after, ive been trying to slip in time for homework and studying since this week is midterm week. It does not feel like midterms at all and I think I know why....because we hardly are in class.
Some wishes:
I wish the classes were actually teaching me something
I wish they were a little bit more challenging.
I wish they had a more credited business professor for both my Operations Management class and my Management class.
Content:
I enjoy my drawing class
I enjoy my Italian language class
I enjoy my Global Economics Class.
