First full day in Italia!

As I read over my last post, I realized I never described my homestay family!! My mamma is Elisabetta, her husband is Dario, and their son is Bernardo. They are a very welcoming and nice family; very encouraging whenever I try to speak Italian and correct me whenever needed. They don’t seem to be home very much, but I don’t think I will be either. They live about 15-20 minutes from both the CAPA center and the University of Florence, which is perfect walking distance.

View from my balcony- Il Duomo! Che bello!

 Anyway, my first full day in Italy was very busy indeed. I had to go to the CAPA school in the morning and I wouldn’t have been able to get there without Kelsey’s help! I am the ABSOLUTE WORST at directions and I’m happy she met me at my homestay or I would still be wandering the streets of Florence trying to find my way!!

After filling out paperwork at the CAPA center for my “permesso di soggiorno,” the academics coordinator took the group for lunch at a small little sandwich shop followed by a 2 hour tour around the center of the city. The food was delicious- I got prosciutto and pecorino on a ciabatta loaf and it was lovely. Simple, but delicious!

Vittoria showed the group a piazza close to the CAPA center and gave us more information on where we could find things we needed. Then came the best part… I finally saw the Duomo up close… and it is positively breathtaking- such beautiful details and amazing architecture!

Cattedrale di S. Maria del Fiore

We continued the tour around the city and visited the Piazza della Republicca, walked by the Uffizzi (I have a pass that gets me in for free whenever I want!) and the Ponte Vecchio/Arno River and then came across what is thought to have been Dante Alighieri’s home. We saw so many piazze and sculptures. 

Ohai Ponte Vecchio!

After going home that night and having dinner with my homestay brother and his girlfriend, I explored the center of the city with Kelsey with one goal in mind: FIND A GELATERIA. After wandering for about 45 minutes we found one that was closing in 5! I ordered a small cup of strawberry and coffee gelato… *ahhhhh, angels singing and the heavens opening up* IT WAS DELICIOUS. I wish I could remember the name of the place… or even WHERE it was, but no matter! There are many more days to eat gelato.

After the short exploration trip, I went home and slept somewhat poorly (still suffering from jet lag), but it was necessary after the long hours spent walking around the city!