Day 3

Today we had class this morning and this afternoon. We had a speaker this morning on the slow foods movement, he was one of the first ones involved in it when it started in 1989. The slow foods movement means "good, clean, and fair." Slow food can be described as local, fair to producers, environmentally-friendly, tasty, etc. Or you can think of it as the opposite of fast food. I had heard of this initiative but didn't realize that this concept is world-wide. Many people in many countries are involved in the slow food movement.

This afternoon we learned about olive oil and tasted some different varieties. We also made pesto, bruchetta, and tapanade (made from olives). All were really yummy.

Glenda and I walked around for about 2 1/2 hours after class just running errands, etc. We are going to eat a yummy dinner tonight. I have figured out that it is almost impossible to trade US dollars here, no one wants to do it. The bank has done it for others, but not for us. You have to fill out paperwork that's way too complicated for trading money. Some Italian people are really rude but some are really nice, if you meet the right ones.

We are averaging anywhere from 18,000 to 28,000 steps everyday. That's between about 6 and 8 miles of walking. This trip is not for the weak, our legs and feet are sore everyday but not driving anywhere is nice. I may regret saying that if it rains. Tomorrow is a fun day, we will be visiting an exhibit about sustainability tomorrow then making pizza in cooking class then taking the train to Lucca where we can rent bikes and ride all around the city. Everyone who has been there says they love it.

Day 2 pics

This picture from the market was funny to me

In front of the Duomo. You cannot tell how huge and amazing this place really is from pictures

In front of Louis Vuitton, down the street from our apartment

Full day 2

Today was my 2nd full day but it seems like I've been here longer. Glenda and I had an adventure looking for a bank to trade some of our US dollars. First off, banks here have the craziest hours, from 8:30 am to 12:30 then closed til 2:30 or so then open for another hour. Second, none would trade our dollars for euros. We found out that one bank would do it if we showed our passport but when we got there after class, it was closed for a meeting. Porca vacca!

We went to the market and I got some bananas and strawberries. I also got a delicious cannoli and 2 wonderful looking muffins for breakfast later, they were very reasonably priced. We had class this afternoon and made hummus and tzatziki, which were both yummy.

The language barrier isn't as bad as I thought. I can say a few words and point my way through that. A lot of people speak english at least a little bit.

We have been looking all over for this specific gelato shop and I think we figured out where it is. It's the same one we went to on my first day here, it's supposed to be the best.

Tonight we will have dinner that the students will prepare, I hope they wash their hands first! Tomorrow night for dinner we are trying a supposedly awesome pizza place, yay!

Video from today

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UxGfF-Y1-v4&sns=em

I took this video today but cant figure out how to post it from my iPad.

Pics

Florence in background

Appetizer with dinner - creamy tomato soup, cold...delish!

Looking down on the city

Church that look down on city

First full day

This morning we went on a long walk to th Piazzala Michaelango (not sure of the spelling) where we could see the entire city from above. I got some great pics that i will post a few later. Then we had class and went on a tour of the market, which was awesome! Fresh fruits, veggies, meat, pasta, etc. I will be going back there. Glenda and I stopped in a sandwich shop, he called it an "Italian Subway" and I'm pretty sure the guy working asked me out to have a glass of wine. He was being really friendly and said that he is free at dinnertime and likes to have a glass of wine with customers sometimes. I had to smile at that.

It was a full day but very fun and inrormative. Stay tuned!

We finally made it today. After lots of airline problems yesterday, we spent the night in London and had a flight out to Florence this morning. What a crazy mess! Over two days spent waiting in airports because the airlines don't communicate well with each other.

But here we are and it's amazing! I can't describe it except amazing.I already ate pizza twice, ate gelato, and walked around the city a litle. Tomorrow will be an exciting day, there is a lot planned!

I tried using some Italian phrases, I did ok. I just need more practice.