This week

WHERE IS MY COMPUTER?

I shall post longer things once it arrives.

It's cold here. Culture classes began this week..I'm learning all about Il Palio and gothic architecture and blah blah blah. I took a day trip to Firenze this past weekend, which was lovely. I find that traveling by myself allows me to see more things in a shorter amount of time. I explored the city, including the main sites (il Duomo, the Baptistry, etc). My favorite part of the Mercato Centrale -- local produce, pastas, dried fruits, olive oil, vinegar...a foodie's dream.

I also visited I Musei di Firenze in Palazzo Pitti, near the Ponte Vecchio. The few galleries I saw were wonderful, including Il Museo degli Argenti where I learned a tidbit about the Medici. My ticket price included a pass into the Boboli Gardens, but I dropped it in one of the exhibits and therefore was refused entry.......next time........
I met up with a few friends who are studying in Firenze for the semester. We ate lunch at Il Gatto e La Volpe, a restaurant recommended to me by countless people.

This Sunday is my birthday! I am going to Bologna with my friends for the weekend..I am excited to explore a new city.

Pictures of Bologna coming soon, as well as my photos from Firenze this past weekend. As soon as I have a working computer.......

PS Did you know that the Jockeys in the Palio race are given whips made out of cow penises in order to whip each other/opposing horses during the race? Yummay