New Surroundings...

So I've made it safely to Florence. After the 3 flights I took to get here I really can't quite comprehend how some people travel across the ocean so often for their jobs. Yuck.

The first night we were here we stayed in Hostel Archi Rossi which I think is a nice hostel in Florence and would definitely recommend it if you're traveling here on a budget. We were served dinner as well as breakfast which apparently is very odd since Italians don't really eat much for breakfast, if they even decide to eat it at all. They also include a free walking tour of Florence if you're interested.

I moved into my apartment which to my surprise is very nice. We have 3 bedrooms (there are 5 of us living here), 3 full bathrooms, a kitchen/dining/living room that makes up one big common room, and a cute patio since we're on the ground floor. There are no screens on the windows which is kind of fun, except for when mosquitos find they're way in and bite you when you sleep. I'll post pictures of the apartment when I finally get a minute to stop and actually take pictures of it...

I had my first Italian espresso and actually liked it which made me happy. Of course, I added sugar but all the other Italians in the "bar" did the same so I felt like it was an okay thing to do. I feel like what they call a "bar" we'd call a "cafe".

I'm definitely experiencing some culture shock and am not completely comfortable here yet. People can pick me out as an American so easily. I think it's my blue jeans that give it away... Italian women are always so fashionable it seems. I hope I can catch onto their styles and blend in rather than always be looked at as a tourist every second. There are TONS of tourists here though... it's so weird seeing so many people from all parts of the world in one city! I hear a lot of English, and I get sad when Italians speak English to me right away...which proves that they can tell so easily that I'm an American.

Today I'm off to school (Santa Reparata International School of Art) to get some hardcore Italian cramming in. FINALLY. I can't wait to be able to communicate.