Here I begin my journey of adventures - new places, new people and LOTS of learning. As a junior in college I have the opportunity to study abroad for a semester in Florence, Italy. As I have never been out of the country, I really had no expectations. However, in my few short days after arriving in Florence, this city is above and beyond any expectation I could have had. Somewhere between the "sampietrini" streets and the breathtaking buildings, it almost seems as though I'm dreaming. How am I lucky enough to call this place home for the next five months?
Since being in awe of this city, but also overwhelmed with the culture differences, the first two days seemed as if it was a week. Although my first full day in Florence was cold and rainy, it seemed to just make all the colors of the city richer. Back home, in America, a rainy day would make me want to lay in bed and drink some tea - but not in this place. Walking miles in cold, wet rain somehow seemed to keep me smiling. Speaking of smiling, that's something I've learned you do NOT do here in Italy. A simple smile, as I'm used to doing while passing someone, is known here as recognition, or grabbing their attention. So, I've realized you got to walk with a purpose and with RBF in order to avoid "ciao bella" from random Italian men or death stares from the florentines.
Each day has been a new experience, facing obstacles, but learning lots. From trying to communicate when no English is spoken, to slowly learning more words (and relying on google translate for many things). From walking for an hour before realizing it was in the wrong direction, to knowing how to get somewhere without a map. I'm getting the hang of it and know in a few weeks it will feel like I've been here forever.
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