Monday, June 13th – I started off week two with a bang! On Monday in class we started the section over “domestic architecture” I thought that this meant we were going to talk about a distinct Florentine style, but what my teacher really meant in the syllabus was Renaissance palaces and houses! So on Monday we had a quick lecture recap and then went walking about town to hit some of the homes of the Renaissance rich and famous. Our first stop was the Palazzo Rucellai; Bruncelleschi – who was the father and originator of the Renaissance – designed this one. The next one was the Palazzo Davanzati and the last but certainly not least was the Palazzo Medici. We got to go inside the palaces and that was very cool. They were all about 4 stories tall and similar in format. The ground floor was pretty open and would be the most accessible so that merchants and visitors could do their business there. The Florentine families (who accumulated their great wealth from the banking industry) would also conduct their business on this level. The first floor (or as we call it in America the 2nd) was where the family lived. It was the coolest in the summer and warmest in the winter. The servants and kitchen were on the higher floors so that meant lots of stairs and tough work! Another interesting point we learned: Florentine young women couldn’t leave their homes AT ALL! It was only till they were practically walking out the door to their wedding that they could be free from the home. Crazy! After class we went to Pino’s Panini shop for the second time for lunch. I got the Springtime again with the freshest tomatoes and pesto sauce in the world! Since Aly and CJ were still in town, I met up with the crew and we went to the Boboli Gardens behind the Pitti Palace. We were kinda disappointed because there were many flowers, just green and statues everywhere, but the immense size of the place was super impressive! We hiked around the hills and then chilled in the lawn and chatted. It was a nice way to spend the afternoon. In the evening we all met up again after getting ready to go out. We ate a quick and delicious dinner at a place called Trattoria Casalinga. Unbeknownst to us, this ristorante was extremely popular with the locals and when we left around 8, there was a line out the door waiting for a table. We got gelato and some wine afterwards and then trekked up the hill on the Oltroarno side of the river up to the Piazzalle Michelangelo to watch the sunset. This is by far my most favorite spot in Florence. A 25-minute hike and what seemed like a thousand stairs put us in the most scenic viewpoint where we were looking at the whole city. We sat on some stairs, took pictures, and drank wine – it was the most pleasurable experience ever. So we met this guy at the opera we went to last week and he told us about this club called Flo where the Florentines go at night, which is up on the same hill, so naturally we went there when it got dark. I think we were the only Americans/tourists there, but enjoyed a Monday night of dancing and socializing with some straight up Italians – let me say that there was a lot of hand gestures and little understanding going on all night. It was the best place that we have been to out and will return for sure next week.
Tuesday June 14th – In class today, we already had our second test! I got a 100 which was much needed because I am skipping the third test on Friday to jet to Capri for the weekend! After that, we watched a dramatized movie about the Medicis and it was entertaining, but I knew a lot of their story already. After class, we wasnted something cheap for lunch so on the way back to the apartment, we were searching for an appealing take away place. After two tourist trap looking places, we saw a crowded shop that looked cheap and yummy. We struck gold! The café was filled with Florentines who were there for a quick slice of pizza so once again, we stuck out from the group but stayed and enjoyed it a lot! I got a mini pomodoro pizza. It’s so weird but tomatoes have become my obsession and those of you who know me know I deplore veggies so this is strange! Bruschetti, caprese, if it have tomatoes, I order it! And love it! The portions were pretty small so we decided to stop for gelato at this famous spot called Grome. It was a good thing that we did because when we were walking through the Piazza where the Duomo is eating the ice cream, we saw this huge camera and crew preparing a shot. This guy operating the thing called over to us and was like “if you girls “happen” to be walking by eating your gelato, we “may” get you on camera for Jersey Shore season 4. But you’ll have to sign waivers”s.” Duhhh we wanted to do it!!! So we agreed! The crew cleared the hordes of tourists like they were parting the red sea and my three classmates and I casually strolled along like nothing was happening. We had to sign a 20-page release form but it was so worth it! Hopefully we make the producer cut!! All that paper work ate of some of my time but my plan was to take a 3:07 train to Lucca with Ellen and Riley. I made it to the Stazione just in time! We rode a quick hour and 15 minutes to the town. Lucca still has Medieval walls intact that surround the city so we had to go through them and it was really cool! We rented biked there and the rode around the city on these walls! I loved it! Lucca was full of children and old people – definitely a family orientated town and less touristy than any place we have been so far. I think it might have been my favorite town so far. It was so beautiful! We browsed some cute boutiques and rode around on the narrow cobble streets and had a wonderful afternoon. We ate a classic Italian food dinner and were back on the train to Florence by 8:30. I love that Florence in so centrally located because we can take these trips and see places that I would never think to go to! Life sure is good!
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