Wanna make-out in public?

Because most people in Italy would say yes, and look at you strange for even asking. "Don't think, just do," is their moto ;) But seriously...people make out EVERY WHERE!! So instead of looking away like we did at the beginning, me and my roommate Roxanne take pictures of them, and will even take a chance and be in it with them. If they can make out in public, taking a picture of them is totally not a big deal. I mean, I knew Italy was a romantic place, but man, I have never seen PDA like this. Sometimes it's really awkward, like yesterday, we were in line to see Michaelangelo's David at the Academia in Florence, which by the way is AMAZING and HUGE and I snuck a picture, however, there was a nasty couple in front of us full-on making out. I understand making out under a tree in park, but when people are standing inches away from you, how do they not feel awkward?! Lately, we've been trying to make comments, with loud giggling and laughing in the back, because it can honestly be hard to hold it in. It's every where: bridges, on the trains, walking down the streets, the list goes on...So the point of all of this is to inform you of the most common thing you will find in Italy. Not gelato, not spaghetti, but couples who have no consideration for the people that are around them, "the other ones" as we like to call them :) Pictures posted are just a few examples of our best work. Ciao!

Verona, Wine Tasting and Gondolas

It was a pretty big weekend! It started off on Friday when I discovered the closest thing to Chipotle that can be found in Florence! It's called Mesopotamia Kebob. It's not a burrito, it's more a wrap, but it's SOOOOO GOOOD. It's got lots of meat, cheese, lettuce, cabbage, tomato, and ranch dressing....so it's not necessarily Chipotle, but it was really really good. It's nice to get a break from the pizza, pasta and paninis every once in a while.

We headed out VERY early Saturday morning to Verona. It's the hometown of Romeo and Juliet, so we were able to see the Capulets Castle along with the Montagues as well. We even got to see Juliet's balcony. Pretty cool stuff. There is a bronze statue of her in the courtyard and tradition says that if you touch her, excuse my language, boob, you will have good luck in love. Unfortunately, the line was about a million people long, obviously, so I figured I would take my chance in love and pass ;) Verona was a really nice and quaint town and we got some free time to just walk around and explore a little bit. After our tours and free time around Verona we went to another wine tasting! Now if you remember one of last posts on it...forget it because this one was SO MUCH BETTER. This time, we got to walk through the vineyards and I had SO MANY grapes off the vine it was out of control! They were the best grapes I've ever had...it was sad to leave them behind knowing what I have to eat back in the states. So that was really fun, then we got the tours of the cellar and then we had the tasting. This one seemed much more professional and informative. The last time, I didn't really learn anything, and the four steps I told you in the other post was second-hand from the girl next to me. Haha...but this time, somebody actually walked us through the tasting and now I REALLY understand what is good about wine tasting, what kind of foods go with what wine AND how to tell a difference between regular wine and dessert wine...all because there was a lot more useful and beneficial info. We tried three different kinds of red...I was hoping for a little white...but at this farm they don't really make it. PLUS, I learned that white is not as healthy for you because it has a lot of chemicals in it. So...don't drink it, okay? Needless to say though, it was really fun and I loved being able to walk through the vineyards...it was just so fun. Then we headed to our hotel for dinner, which was interesting...when we got to the hotel we got to our rooms before they cleaned it, and it's safe to say that this wasn't a four star by any means. Three words: stains, hair and smelly. That's what we saw on our mattresses when we walked in. It was SICK. They cleaned it up and we just tried to forget the images we saw when we first got there. We left to go to dinner and afterwards we went to Lake Garda. I think it's one of the biggest lakes in Italy, and coming from the Land of 10,000 it felt super nice to be by the lake again :) We just hung out and I got the biggest serving of gelato since I've been here for only 2.60. AMAZING. It was really fun just hanging by the lake and eating our gelato and treats. The next morning, the water didn't work which was great because all of us needed to shower. But...whatevs...we clean up well ;) NOW. Forget about the hotel because the day got much better...

So VENICE IS AMAZING. It's pretty full of tourists though, so it was hard to get around at times. We got a guided tour throughout the city, walking through the town and my favorite, Piazza San Marco...the famous place that is always in movies. We then had a few hours on our own, so we got some delicious pizza at a cute restaurant, walked through some markets, sat by the water, and then of course...went on a Gondola ride! Six of us went and it was realllly fun. Unfortunately, I didn't fall in love because our gondalear was about 50 years older than me...and he didn't sing for us...so two things that held me back ;) Haha, anyways...Venice is a pretty amazing city and I'm really glad I was able to experience it!

This week is me just getting ready for mid-terms next week. I've actually got schoolwork to do...surprising huh? So I'll be doing my studying and everything this week and weekend to get ready for it! I'll be going on a day trip to Perugia on Saturday that I'm pretty excited about. I'll be going with my roommate Roxanne and her parents actually, who are visiting this week, and we're going to head to the CHOCOLATE FESTIVAL that Perugia is famous for. YUM! CAN'T WAIT!!

That's the update for now...I'm off to make pasta for din din...again :) Ciao!

Fiorentina!!

Went to my first soccer game tonight! Fiorentina is the team that plays for Florence, and we played AC Milano. It was technically considered a "nice game" because one of Fiorentina's previous players has been diagnosed with ASL, so all proceeds went to funds for continued research for a cure! It was SO FUN! The fans were amazing, I've never heard so many chants at a sporting event before! I was bummed though because they were all in Italian, so it's not like I could learn them, join in and not feel like an outsider American coming into one of the biggest events in Italy! Haha...it was fun to be in the middle of it all, you can just imagine me making weird noises and clapping every once in a while to feel like a true Fiorentina fan :) But it was just nuts, and Fiorentina won 4-1, so it was fun to be part of that! I'll be going to another soccer game in November...hopefully I can squeeze another one in before that though, because they are too fun to pass up!

Other than the game tonight, the week has been busy with classes and running around Florence. The week started off great when we were woken up 8 am Monday morning to jackhammers outside our apartment. Literally...so loud that had I not opened my eyes, I would've thought they were in our bedroom. We tried to be optimistic about it, until we found out today that they will be drilling and doing construction until NOVEMBER 31!! It'll be a great Thanksgiving gift since I won't be eating turkey :( Speaking of gifts, I received a delicious one in the mail! Dad and Nancy sent me all my favorite chocolates and snacks...which all taste amazing! I LOVE Peanut and Peanut Butter M&M's-like all-time-favorite, but in Italy, they are like $3 for 20 pieces...rip off! Needless to say...I was very thankful when I opened the package :)

Another trip coming up this weekend! We're going to Verona on Saturday (where Romeo and Juliet takes place) and Venice on Sunday. Hopefully I'll go on a gondola and fall in love with the MAN rowing it ;) I'm really really excited though, Venice has always been a place I've wanted to see, so hopefully only one day there will be enough!