This weekend, I traveled outside of Tuscania for the first time to Florence and Siena. I'm so happy I had a little getaway and saw amazing and beautiful places (and not to mention, I got to see some great friends). The weekend made me realize how lucky I was to currently be living in such a small, authentic Italian town and even though it's raining AGAIN, I'm really happy to be back.
My first adventure of the weekend was figuring out how to get to the train station in Viterbo from Tuscania. I had to get on a city bus and then switch my bus at a huge bus station, got off at the train station, had to transfer trains, and finally I was there. It took me a total of 6ish hours to complete my journey, and I was really proud of myself for figuring out how to get from place to place to place to place - all with my minimal Italian skills. Fun fact: My Italian class on Wednesday and Thursday was all about train stations and common phrases you would need. Perfect timing! When I finally got to Florence, my friends met me at the train station and took me to their apartment.
I was so excited to be back in the city because I really only had about a day or two in Florence last time I was in Italy (aka two years ago!). I remembered a lot of the places I had been and it really is just a breathtaking city. I obviously had to be a tourist for a little while and take pictures at the Duomo and the Ponte Vecchio.
My first adventure of the weekend was figuring out how to get to the train station in Viterbo from Tuscania. I had to get on a city bus and then switch my bus at a huge bus station, got off at the train station, had to transfer trains, and finally I was there. It took me a total of 6ish hours to complete my journey, and I was really proud of myself for figuring out how to get from place to place to place to place - all with my minimal Italian skills. Fun fact: My Italian class on Wednesday and Thursday was all about train stations and common phrases you would need. Perfect timing! When I finally got to Florence, my friends met me at the train station and took me to their apartment.
I was so excited to be back in the city because I really only had about a day or two in Florence last time I was in Italy (aka two years ago!). I remembered a lot of the places I had been and it really is just a breathtaking city. I obviously had to be a tourist for a little while and take pictures at the Duomo and the Ponte Vecchio.
All three nights, we decided to go out to the clubs and bars of Florence. It reminded me a little too much of college parties and I was definitely not used to seeing all the American students everywhere I went. Living in Tuscania has been such a culture shock for me, and let me tell you, the cabin fever was 100% real. However, being in Florence really made me appreciate that I'm not constantly surrounded by my own kind (aka crazy Americans that can't really party when they're home). It was fun to finally dress up a little and go out with friends; the nightlife is pretty much the opposite of Tuscania and it was a nice break from what I'm used to.
After doing some shopping and being a tourist for the weekend in Florence, eight of us from my Three Cities program decided to take the train to Siena for the day. I had never been there before, but my mom kept raving to me about how beautiful it was so I was super excited to see the city. Beautiful isn't even the word to describe it. Siena is PERFECT. It wasn't too small or too big, too loud or too boring. I honestly could see myself living there for an extended period of time. The people were so kind, unlike in Florence where they basically hate all Americans, and I just really felt comfortable there. The center of Siena, the Piazza del Campo, is a HUGE piazza that holds two annual horseraces around the perimeter of it. It is the highlight of Siena-ian(?) life and I saw some incredible pictures taken of the races all over the city.
Each sight I saw was more beautiful than the last. The older churches, modern shops, and everything in between made me feel very at home. It was the perfect place for a day trip and I would most definitely go back to explore more, if I can.
Each sight I saw was more beautiful than the last. The older churches, modern shops, and everything in between made me feel very at home. It was the perfect place for a day trip and I would most definitely go back to explore more, if I can.
For now, I am glad to be back in little Tuscania, where everyone knows me and I can eat food for ridiculously cheap. I'll miss the big city aspects of both Florence and Siena, but those have gotten me that much more excited for moving to Rome. T-3 weeks until then!
I really hope I keep up with this blog a little more. If you're still reading this, then 1) I commend you because I have just been blabbering and 2) please bug me to post more often.
XOXO Ciao!
I really hope I keep up with this blog a little more. If you're still reading this, then 1) I commend you because I have just been blabbering and 2) please bug me to post more often.
XOXO Ciao!