From the Ground up.

Palazzo Rucellai Courtyard

What i'm beginning to realize about the time i will be spending abroad is that i will relearn virtually every aspect of daily life. Not only am i responsible for my class schedule and the work which goes along with it, but i am also responsible for learning how people take care of daily tasks. This includes finding my next meal, successfully navigating the streets, and politely interacting with my neighbors. Then there are acts such as taking short showers, opening windows for cool air, and turning off the lights  which are considered here to be mandatory, rather than good habits. The point i am trying to make is that  not only am i learning in class but i am learning from the moment i wake until the moment i go to bed.

Certain lessons however are less stressful than others. For example, learning to enjoy vino can be quite enjoyable. The same can also be said for learning where one can spend time outdoors. The real lesson though is trying to grasp what it is that puts italian food in a league of its own. So far i've located bars with delicious paninis, calzones, and of course pizza. This list is short because for the most part our apartment has been cooking dishes using fresh bread, sliced meats, and fresh vegetables from the surrounding hills.

Everyday has been exciting thus far. Each day the language becomes a bit more familiar as do the streets. The functions of the piazzas, palazzos, everything in between is becoming increasingly apparent. I have even finally adjusted to the schedule and pace of Italian life.. i think. So, as the Florentines built their beautiful city, i will gradually begin to understand it one day, one stone, and one meal at a time.