Its christmas in Firenze

December 12 2007

It has been while since my last entry of the Christmas Party so I have decided to make a few closing remarks before I return home in 8 days. Plus, our pensione was able to get internet again and thus has made me motivated again to spend some time writing down some thoughts. Last weekend I became ill and suffered throughout this week with some sinus and runny nose issues. I think I am finally getting better…but after several rolls of toilet paper for tissue. This past weekend I was able to get some sight seeing accomplished in Firenze. I was able to tour the famous San Marco Museum and attended Mass in the church for Day of Obligation. It was very neat to see the frescoed walls by Fra Angelica throughout the monastery and see where it held so much power during the 1400 hundreds by Fra Savonrola. I also was went to the church of San Lorenzo. One of Firenze’s first church’s I was able to see Donatellos tomb and grave and also got to see lots of famous Medici tombs, the family that for several hundred years ruled Firenze. In addition to churches I was able to visit the Baptistery of Santa Maria del Fiore next to the Duomo. Its inside was not as elegant as I had hoped, however the ceiling was a piece of art with the most elaborate mosaic I have ever seen. It was very cool. In addition to this I went with several friends (Megan and Sheena) to the Uffizi Art Gallery. It was a fantastic time and we didn’t have to wait in line at 8:00 am in the morning. My favorite painting was the Birth of Venus by Botticelli. The art gallery was amazing and there were pieces of art from many famous Florentine artists during the renaissance. After the museum we went to Firenze’s oldest and most well known donut café. There we were able to capture and taste bombilla or little bomb; because when they make it the little drop of dough expands as it cooks in the oil. It was great to taste a treat that I hadn’t had in a long time.

One of the evenings I went with some friends to Santa Croce where they had a Christmas festival with a carousel turned into a rotating bar. There I had some pretzels the size of my head, some hot spiced wine which was amazing, a bratwurst and some hot apple strudel. It was all very amazing. Also, I made a mental note and realized that the Holy day of Obligation seemed to be Italy’s day for Christmas shopping. Everyone had bags full of wrapped gifts and there were literally thousands on the streets shopping or window shopping with families. There were thousands out and it was just as if the streets were full of tourists during the summer, but instead it was all Italians. It was very interesting and felt great to blend in. All the streets now are decorated with Christmas lights and decorations, and almost all of the large piazzas have Christmas trees all lit up in lights.

Tomorrow I have been invited to make and eat apertivi at my Italian professors house with some other students. It should be great since we will be making Tiramisu. Also, I have finally finished one final (Management) and will be finished with four classes by Friday (Art, Italiano, Operations and Management).

This weekend I hope to do some last minute gift shopping for friends and family and then make sure I have enough money for a cab ride to the airport and a few euros for food on the plane trip home.

I am excited to be home again; however, I will truly miss my friends here, but will have them to visit back in Spokane during the summer and coming years.