While I spent the majority of last weekend doing absolutely nothing, this weekend was quite different.
On Friday, CAPA (my school here) organized a day-long excursion to Siena and San Gimignano. We split into groups upon arriving in Siena and spent the morning touring the city. The population of Siena is only about 50,000 (vs. 500,000 in Florence), so the city is much simpler and much quieter. St. Catherine was born in Siena, and although she died in Rome, the Sienese brought her head and thumb back to their city. So I saw St. Catherine's head and her thumb, both covered in wax and clay in an effort to preseve them. A little morbid, but interesting nonetheless. We also toured the Duomo, which was gorgeous and much more impressive than the Florentine Duomo, and saw where Il Palio (the famous horse races) take place each year.
After a long and rainy morning in Siena, we then took a bus to San Gimignano. I wasn't expecting much from this little Tuscan town, but I was pleasantly suprised by its beauty. The town is much smaller than Siena and is surrounded by panoramic views of the Tuscan countryside (see above photo). We bought a few bottles of wine, a loaf of bread and some cheese and spent the afternoon relaxing, talking and enjoying the scenery. When I used to picture myself studying abroad in Florence, the views from San Gimignano are exactly what I pictured: rolling hills filled with vineyards and scattered with tiny villages. Truly breathtaking. Don't get me wrong-- I adore Florence, but it was so lovely to just escape the hustle and bustle of the city for an afternoon.
On Saturday, my roommates and I spent the day shopping in Florence. I finally caved and splurged on some genuine Italian leather boots. A little pricey, but I love them. We all went out to a few bars later that night, which was so fun. The nightlife here is very different than in the States. There are discotecas everywhere, which only play American pop/rap music and are filled with American students. They can be fun, but the cover charges and drink prices are ridiculously expensive. I was beginning to give up hope on finding a more American-like bar... but then we went to Red Garter. I walked in and immediately thought, "It smells like Madison!" There was live music-- an Italian band playing covers of American songs. Everything from The Beatles to The Backstreet Boys. We danced and sang along until early the next morning and then spent Sunday doing our usual Sunday things: downloading TV episodes from Itunes (sorry, Dad!), eating entirely too much pasta and maaaybe even squeezing in some time for homework.
I've come to realize that whichever way I chose to spend my weekends in Florence - whether it be lounging around all day or exploring the city/Tuscany - I am always happy. I don't feel guilty for being lazy, and I don't feel guilty spending entirely too much money on overpriced drinks. I just feel happy. And I like it.
Also: Barcelona this weekend!!!
On Friday, CAPA (my school here) organized a day-long excursion to Siena and San Gimignano. We split into groups upon arriving in Siena and spent the morning touring the city. The population of Siena is only about 50,000 (vs. 500,000 in Florence), so the city is much simpler and much quieter. St. Catherine was born in Siena, and although she died in Rome, the Sienese brought her head and thumb back to their city. So I saw St. Catherine's head and her thumb, both covered in wax and clay in an effort to preseve them. A little morbid, but interesting nonetheless. We also toured the Duomo, which was gorgeous and much more impressive than the Florentine Duomo, and saw where Il Palio (the famous horse races) take place each year.
After a long and rainy morning in Siena, we then took a bus to San Gimignano. I wasn't expecting much from this little Tuscan town, but I was pleasantly suprised by its beauty. The town is much smaller than Siena and is surrounded by panoramic views of the Tuscan countryside (see above photo). We bought a few bottles of wine, a loaf of bread and some cheese and spent the afternoon relaxing, talking and enjoying the scenery. When I used to picture myself studying abroad in Florence, the views from San Gimignano are exactly what I pictured: rolling hills filled with vineyards and scattered with tiny villages. Truly breathtaking. Don't get me wrong-- I adore Florence, but it was so lovely to just escape the hustle and bustle of the city for an afternoon.
On Saturday, my roommates and I spent the day shopping in Florence. I finally caved and splurged on some genuine Italian leather boots. A little pricey, but I love them. We all went out to a few bars later that night, which was so fun. The nightlife here is very different than in the States. There are discotecas everywhere, which only play American pop/rap music and are filled with American students. They can be fun, but the cover charges and drink prices are ridiculously expensive. I was beginning to give up hope on finding a more American-like bar... but then we went to Red Garter. I walked in and immediately thought, "It smells like Madison!" There was live music-- an Italian band playing covers of American songs. Everything from The Beatles to The Backstreet Boys. We danced and sang along until early the next morning and then spent Sunday doing our usual Sunday things: downloading TV episodes from Itunes (sorry, Dad!), eating entirely too much pasta and maaaybe even squeezing in some time for homework.
I've come to realize that whichever way I chose to spend my weekends in Florence - whether it be lounging around all day or exploring the city/Tuscany - I am always happy. I don't feel guilty for being lazy, and I don't feel guilty spending entirely too much money on overpriced drinks. I just feel happy. And I like it.
Also: Barcelona this weekend!!!
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