Salve!!! I am so sorry for not writing in over a week. I have been extremely busy with studying for my University of Bologna class final called The history of science. But the good news is that it is done and it went extremely well and now I can devote everyday to writing a blog post on all the trips I have not told you about. As for my Bologna life, I have been spending a lot of time downstairs in the quiet room studying, playing a bit of tennis, doing yoga for relaxation and awaiting patiently for my family to arrive. My mom is coming to visit me in 4 days! I can't wait to show her the city I have lived in for three months. Currently there is a huge chocolate festival in the center of town and it ends Sunday so I plan on taking my mom to the festival the same day she arrives. Let's hope she does not have much jet lag. I also have many things planned! It is going to be a busy, and fun-filled two weeks. I can't wait to tell you all about it.
As for my trips..this blog post is dedicated to my journey to Florence (a second time) and Pisa in the beginning of October. I had a fabulous time during this trip, traveling by myself and seeing the cities. I left for Florence on a Thursday afternoon right after my theater class. I had twenty minutes to catch my train, in order to see my Aunt Dianne. Yes!! it was my first time seeing a family member since I left for Italy in August. I was so excited to see her! The whole train ride I was looking at my watch waiting for the time to go by. I sprinted off the train and power walked to the restaurant we agreed to meet at. Of course she was there waiting for me!!! It was such a treat. We had a traditional Italian pizza and we caught up on each other's lives. Unfortunately we only had less than two hours together but we made the most of it! I was so happy to see her and thankful everything worked out (she was in Europe on a cruise and one of the stops was Livorno which is a train ride away from Florence). I can't wait to see her in less than two months along with everyone else, family and friends
After I said goodbye to Aunt Dianne and received a bag of clothes from my mom, I walked to my hostel to check in. I stayed in a 16 person all girls dorm two bridges away from the Ponte Vecchio. It was a grand location. Even though it was raining outside I was so happy to be in Florence. I locked my stuff in my personal locker and went for a walk around the area. I stumbled upon the leather open market and was on the look out for a leather purse for myself. I ended up not finding one, but found this amazing gelataria instead. Then I walked back to my hostel because it was getting late and I wanted to be back before it was dark. I befriended another girl staying in the hostel from Australia. She asked if I wanted to grab dinner so we walked together to this Pizza/Sandwich place and had dinner together. On the walk there it started to downpour and we both forgot our umbrellas in the hostel. We ended up negotiating to buy 2 umbrellas for five euros. Thank god I knew how to speak Italian. We walked back to the hostel with our umbrellas but it was windy and the umbrellas were not holding up. It was a fun night in the rain, but it was nice to be back in the hostel and dry off. I went to bed early because I had full day ahead.
I woke up pronto (early) at 7 a.m. in order to beat the line to walk up to the top of the Duomo. I stopped at a cafe on the way for a coffee and a cornetto di frutti di bosco. Then I walked the 463 steps to the top of the Duomo. It was such an amazing experience, and I was so happy when I reached the top and saw the whole city. I could not stop taking pictures. The view was beautiful. I even took selflies of myself and the view until a woman offered to take a picture of me. I wanted to stay at the top of the Duomo all day but I needed to keep track of time so I could accomplish everything. The next thing on my list was la sinagoga di Firenze. Unfortunately I was not able to bring my camera or any of my belongings into the building, (therefore no pictures) but I had a lovely tour and also walked through the museum. I did end up taking a picture of the outside. The next stop on my list was the Acadamia to see the David and other amazing works of art. Again I was not allowed to take any pictures in the museum but who isn't going to take a picture of "the David". So the answer is Yes I took a picture of the David and I did not get yelled at. Although I did not opt to have a tour in the museum I casually listened to other people's tours in English and Italian. It was so nice being alone and making my own itinerary. Speaking of my itinerary the next stop was the Uffizi. However my plan got interrupted when I stopped in a leather store called "David". I ended up finding "the one purse" that I was looking for. I wanted a purse that was big enough to hold my camera and wallet, black and brown, and could go across my shoulders. I bought the purse and the man who sold the purse asked for a kiss when I left. I opted for a kiss on a cheek but was flattered.
After the excitement of buying my purse I walked through the Uffizi feeling overwhelmed with all the art. It was impossible for me to look at every single painting and sculpture in the museum but I spent over two hours walking leisurely and reading the information about certain paintings. I even wrote names of some paintings and sculptures I found interesting, beautiful and fascinating. The day was not over yet! I had one more stop, the Santa Croce. This is by far my favorite building in Florence. I love that there is a star of David on the front of the church and that Michael Angelo tomb is in the church. Also the garden outside of the church is so peaceful and tranquilla. I sat down in the steps in the garden for about thirty minutes and just mediated to myself, cleaning my head and thinking about the amazing day I had in Florence. But the day was not over yet. I left the Santa Croce and stopped at the same gelataria as yesterday. I found my second favorite gelato place in Florence (Vivoli of course always win). Then I went back to my hostel to shower and get ready for dinner. I was going on a date with the guy I met at a discoteca two weeks ago in Florence. (currently I don't talk to this guy anymore) But the date with him in Florence was lovely. We walked around Florence, and he proceeded to give me a tour even though I spent the whole day walking around Florence by myself. Then we took a picture with the Ponte Vecchio in the background, walked to the Ponte Vecchio and had dinner at a fancy pizzeria near the Duomo. I was completely exhausted after dinner and we walked back to my hostel and I said goodbye.
The next morning I woke up early once again to catch a train to Pisa. On the way to the train station I stopped at the same cafe for a coffee and another cornetto. On the way to the train station I walked through the leather market on San Patronio and I found some cute purses. The woman selling the purses was a doll, but did not know any English. While I was buying the purses many people were asking her in English about the purses and the prices. I ended up being the translator and helped the woman sell many purses for one hour because I had time to spare. She gave me a complementary wallet to thank me. I left Florence feeling happy but also accomplished because I saw so much in such a short period of time. Next stop was Pisa.
I arrived in Pisa in the mid morning around eleven o'clock and the sun was shining bright. I was a bit confused because the forecast called for rain all day but happy that it was sunny. I spent the best 10 euros ever in Pisa. I decided to check my backpack at the train station so I did not have to carry it all day, I bought a map, and I bought an amazing sandwich from an old panetteria. Pisa is very small and there is not much to see but I feel like I saw everything. Of course I saw the Leaning tower of Pisa. I ate lunch in the courtyard where the Leaning tower of Pisa was located and just stared at this strange building. I could not get over how physics allowed this building to be standing. I always dreamed of seeing the Leaning Tower of Pisa ever since I knew I was studying abroad in Italy. Here I was in Pisa, next to the leaning tower. It was also such an honor to be traveling, by myself, and feel so safe. I also walked around the entire city of Pisa, and saw the synagogue of Pisa (literally just a building with a sign) the Santa Maria della Spina, the Piazza del Duomo, Palazzo della Carovana, and some other random churches I stumbled upon. I enjoyed my time in Pisa, taking some beautiful photographs and walking around the city, but after four hours in the city I was ready to go home. I picked up my backpack from the storage area and took two trains back to Bologna with very little complications besides a one hour train delay in Florence. I had a fantastic trip in Tuscany but it was time to explore other regions in Italy. I hope you enjoy my pictures! and I can't wait to share my next trip tomorrow.
Con tanto amore,
Samantha
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| My first picture of the duomo |
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| What a beautiful day |
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| The church |
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| Making my way up the stairs |
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| A view halfway from the top |
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| The view of the church |
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| The ceiling |
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| Almost there |
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| The stairs were extremely steep |
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| I made it! |
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| Take a look at this view |
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| The synagogue |
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| I was so happy! |
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| I conquered the 463 steps |
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| Walking back down |
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| Jewish community |
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| Jewish deli |
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| The synagogue in Florence |
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| The water |
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| The Ponte Vecchio |
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| Artists painting near the Uffizi |
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| The Uffizi |
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| The view in the Uffizi |
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| I was on top of the building on the right |
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| It was a clear and beautiful day |
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| Inside of the Santa Croce |
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| A leather school |
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| Construction in the church |
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| Michael Angelo's tomb |
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| The sculptures were breathtaking |
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| Leonardo da Vinci |
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| Guglielmo Marconi-inventor of the radio |
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| Outside in the garden of the church |
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| It was an amazing place to meditate |
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| More tombs of important people |
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| The Santa Croce |
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| The distinctive star |
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| Welcome to Pisa |
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| The first piazza I saw |
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| Little food market |
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| The street of shopping |
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| A protest of some sort |
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| An electronic fair in the middle of the bridge |
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| The canal resembles Verona and Florence |
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| Which city do you like the most? |
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| Another fruit stand market |
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| An antique market |
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| Palazzo della Carovana |
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| Following all the people to the Leaning Tower |
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| Best sandwich ever |
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| Another gorgeous day |
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| Ice Cream sign in Italy? |
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| I made it!! |
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| Leaning tower of Pisa |
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| Piazza del Duomo |
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| The Duomo of Pisa |
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| My delicious sandwich |
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| The main attraction of Pisa |
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| How is it not falling? |
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| Where I ate my lunch |
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| It looked like it was going to rain |
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| There I am! |
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| Me and the tower |
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| The tower looks straight at this angle |
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| Another garden |
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| My last picture of the tower I promise |
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| Some ruins near the tower |
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| A church |
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| I walked through a park |
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| I love this cute city |
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| Some administration headquarters building |
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| Another church |
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| I found the synagogue of Pisa! |
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| It was very small and hidden |
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| Definitely one of my favorite cities by far |
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| English school |
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| The canal |
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| I loved the vines on this building |
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| A secret alley way with portico |
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| Santa Maria della Spina |
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| A magnificent castle next to the canal |
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| Another hidden landmark |
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| And another church |
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| Having a hard time saying goodbye |
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| Bye Pisa |
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| I found her!! Aunt Dianne |
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| A Tiffany and Co. in Italy |
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| Rainstorm |
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| My gelato! |
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| Second favorite gelato in Florence |
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| Selfie with my gelato |
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| Selfie from the top of the Duomo |
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| and again... |
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| I am so happy! |
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| I promise this is the last one |
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| I lied |
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| Secret picture of the David |
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| I actually took two pictures |
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| The academia |
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| A person pretending to be art |
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| The Ponte Vecchio |
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| The Uffizi |
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| My view from the Uffizi |
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| Where I bought my purse |
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| My favorite church |
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| Hi |
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| Selfie with the church |
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| The copy of the David |
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| Tiny cars you can rent |
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| The sunset |
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| Round two of gelato |
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| The Ponte Vecchio at night |
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| The Duomo at night |
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| A great evening |
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| Leaning tower again |
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| Selife with the leaning tower |
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| Number 2 |
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| Number 3 |
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| Last one? |
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| Bye Pisa |
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| A cool train I saw in the station |
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