Adventures in Italy!

The amphitheater in Fiesole

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 08:12:25 -0500

The amphitheater in Fiesole

Fiesole

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 08:09:44 -0500

Ok, so I haven’t blogged the past couple of days because I have just been going to class and everything was pretty much business as usual. Although one thing I do have to include quickly is that we went on a trip to the Central Market in my Food and Culture class and we did a blind testing, I ate cow stomach! Yuck. It didn’t really taste that bad it was just the texture that was questionable. But we all know I am always willing to try anything. Anyways, yesterday in my Florence: Story of the City class, we took a field trip to a place just outside of Florence called Fiesole. It is considered to be the Hollywood Hills of Florence, meaning that the houses are VERY nice and VERY expensive. As our bus climbed to the top of the hill we had no idea what to expect, all we knew was that we were going very high. When we got there a short 15 minutes later, we were amazed. There was this adorable little town on top of a hill with the most AMAZING views. You see miles and miles of Tuscan mountains and the whole city of Florence. It was absolutely beautiful. In Fiesole, there are ancient Roman and Etruscan ruins which we were able to walk on and look at. We walked around what used to be an amphitheater and it was so cool to know that we were walking on ruins that the ancient Romans and Etruscans were walking on. We did this all in just an hour and a half so this is definitely a great day trip or a great place to take people who are visiting. I definitely hope to go back.

Leaning Tower of Pisa in Pisa, Italy

Sun, 22 Jan 2012 15:18:47 -0500

Leaning Tower of Pisa in Pisa, Italy

Under the Tuscan Sun

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 12:49:57 -0500

So, last night on my birthday we were still pretty tired from our AMAZING time at Club 21 the night before. We decided to go to a relaxing dinner at Acqua Al 2. It was SO delicious. The waitress and owner were so nice to us and recommended we get the samplers. We got the salad sampler and it was sooo good. That was followed by the pasta sampler and since pasta is my favorite food I loved it. My favorite was a close tie between the pumpkin risotto and the rigatoni with eggplant. Too good. Then we got the meat sampler which included 3 steaks. My favorite was the blueberry steak. Sounds weird but they are famous for it and now I know why. Finally, the most amazing part of the meal came; the dessert sampler. I could have eaten probably 4 plates all to myself. The cheesecake and the tiramisu were to die for. I recommend this restaurant to everyone!!

Today, we went on an adventure to the Chianti region in Tuscany. The school took us there and it was beautiful. We took a tour of a castle and then had a wonderful traditional tuscan lunch it was YUM. Then we had a wine tasting of the chiantis that they make at that castle it was awesome. I love Tuscany!!

BIRTHDAY

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 14:00:42 -0500

Tonight I turn 20 years old in Firenze! After a long day of classes I am so ready to begin the celebrations with my awesome roommates!

I am doing so much shopping here!! It’s really bad for my bank account but I kind of like it...

Tue, 17 Jan 2012 16:16:16 -0500

I am doing so much shopping here!! It’s really bad for my bank account but I kind of like it at the same time…

Photo

Mon, 16 Jan 2012 07:33:46 -0500

Piazzalo Michelangelo

Sun, 15 Jan 2012 14:36:58 -0500

Today we had a very lazy Sunday, all of us sleeping in past 12. Once we finally got up and were able to get our acts together we ventured out to explore more of the city. We climbed to the top of the Piazzalo Michelangelo, which is basically a beautiful view of all of Florence but in order to get there you have to climb up like a billion steps but it is so worth it. Then, we went out to a DELICIOUS dinner at Ristorante Pizzeria il Gatto e la Volpe. I have no idea what any of that means but all I know is that it was delicious. I basically had to be rolled home and now I am just sitting relaxing in our beautiful apartment wishing I could watch the Giants v. Greenbay Packers game!! Everyone has to keep me updated.

Shopping!

Sat, 14 Jan 2012 13:41:32 -0500

Today we had to wake up pretty early to go to the school and pick up our schedules and textbooks but after we went right home and took and nap and were ready for the day. We ventured out for a little shopping. I got the cutest brown leather bag from a lady in one of the market places I am absolutely obsessed with it. I also got a really cute and warm circle scarf. The markets are the best because you can get things for pretty cheap and of course it is all made in Italy. I will definitely go back to get some souvenirs for all my friends back home!

sideways but the Duomo..its literally the prettiest thing...

Thu, 12 Jan 2012 13:14:13 -0500

sideways but the Duomo..its literally the prettiest thing I’ve ever seen

Gabby, Christy, Krista, and I in front of the Ponte Veccio

Thu, 12 Jan 2012 13:11:14 -0500

Gabby, Christy, Krista, and I in front of the Ponte Veccio

the whole facade of the building was lit up!

Thu, 12 Jan 2012 13:09:05 -0500

the whole facade of the building was lit up!

Across from our apartment!

Thu, 12 Jan 2012 12:43:28 -0500

Across from our apartment!

Me and Krista’s room!

Thu, 12 Jan 2012 12:36:43 -0500

Me and Krista’s room!

Finally here!

Thu, 12 Jan 2012 12:32:04 -0500

Well, I made it the last leg but let me tell you it was not easy. Once we left Germany (after much trouble from security) we boarded this tiny little Lufthansa plane and headed off to Florence. The bird’s eye view was absolutely stunning but when we landed the airport was disappointing, looking pretty much like an airport. A bunch of people in our group lost bags along the way so we were waiting at baggage claim forever! Finally after the longest 36 hours of my life we headed off to our apartment. Krista, Christy, Gabby, and I, along with 4 others girls share the most BEAUTIFUL apartment. It is 4 bedrooms 4 baths and it is just perfect. Me and Krista’s room overlook the streets of Florence and has these amazing high ceilings and a chandelier. We love it. Just as we were settling in sitting down to write our parents an email or text about how we arrived safely, disaster struck. There was no Internet connection. You would have thought the world was ending based on my reaction. I really just wanted to get in contact with my parents so badly but there was no way for me to do it and there still isn’t and it’s the worst feeling. I hope we can get this issue as well as the phone issue resolved tomorrow. On a brighter note in a few minutes we are going to go meet Jackie for dinner! I can’t wait to see that gal maybe she’ll make me feel better.

Germany

Thu, 12 Jan 2012 12:29:00 -0500

Right now I am sitting in the Frankfurt Airport. This is really good news because this means I made it through the longest leg of the trip! A full 7 hours on one flight is definitely a feat for me. Luckily I was next to a girl who was close to my age so I was able to talk to her and keep myself somewhat occupied. One very positive thing I do have to say about Lufthansa is that the hot towels they brought out twice during the flight were phenomenal, definitely the highlight of my flight experience. Frankfurt airport is pretty dead right now because it is 6 a.m., awesome. This means that I will not be able to sleep until tonight meaning I will have been up an un-Godly amount of hours. I hope I make it because everyone knows when Lexa doesn’t sleep it is not good. See ya in Firenze! Hope I can make it this last leg.

Will be drinking lots of this for the next 4 months!

Mon, 09 Jan 2012 18:05:29 -0500

Will be drinking lots of this for the next 4 months!

"Dreams, without them we are nothing, what causes them is unknown but they are what make us get up in..."

Mon, 09 Jan 2012 17:56:39 -0500

“Dreams, without them we are nothing, what causes them is unknown but they are what make us get up in the morning and hope that one day they will eventually come true.”

Pre-Departure

Mon, 09 Jan 2012 17:21:47 -0500

Tomorrow is the big day! At around 4:20 pm I will be boarding a plane headed towards Frankfurt, Germany where I will meet a connecting flight over to my destination, Florence. I am going with my best friends Krista and Christy so this should be interesting! I’m freaking out, nervous to say goodbye and be on my own for four months but I think it’s finally time. I will miss all my friends over here though, especially Becky hehe I promise I won’t forget about you! Next time I write here I will no longer be in America and if all goes well I will have made it safely to Florence!