Sooo nothing too excited happened this week besides searching the entire city of Florence for a planner...in English. I ended up finding one, but it's a leather bond and looks way to professional for me. McKenzie and I have also recently discovered Nutella, and have somehow managed to eat nearly the entire jar in one week. You may not recognize me in December.
However the peak of the week was probably dinner, turned late night pub crawl, with Abbey. Over dinner Abbey and I were discussing the trips we plan on taking while in Europe, and we began getting really excited about our trip to Ireland.
How ironic was it that there was on Irish Pub just across the street from where we were eating? We thought we had better check it out to make sure we really wanted to visit the country. Upon entering the pub we were asked if we were going to be watching the match. We looked at eachother and decided "why not?". For those of you who are not familiar with the term "match", this is not a wrestling match or a tennis match this was a soccer match. I was a bit confused on the topic, so I thought I'd clarify that for you. We met some other Americans there and ended up having a really good. Turns out we are definitely going to Ireland!
Our next stop for the evening was another bar/cafe where I learned the latest new fad. Apparently wearing only one shoe is a popular new trend starting right here in Italy! Who would ever think?? I will be sure and keep you updated on all the must-haves. But for not take off a shoe, because it's hot!
Friday morning McKenzie and I decided to go to IKEA, which is in a suburb about 20 minutes away. We were told that there was a free shuttle going directly there from the train station, but after being told seven different places on where to catch this bus, we hopped on a city bus and finally made it there.
This is not a homeless person, this is my roommate looking pretty ridiculous. She wasn't properly equipped for the rain. BUT please note that the umbrella she is using was bargained down two euro by yours truly :).
After our treacherous journey across Florence, we finally made it to IKEA, and I couldn't be happier.
On our way home we crossed a bridge, and there was a nice view of the Ponte Vecchio. The Ponte Vecchio is a bridge lined with stores filled with fine gold and silver jewelry. I cross it pretty much everyday.
Saturday we took a trip to Siena. It was such a pretty city, and I was bummed we only got to spend a few hours there. We were able to see the main attractions though.
This is the head of Saint Catherine. Kind of morbid, but I thought it was cool. Saint Catherine was from Siena, and I was able to see her home and learn about her life on my visit.
This is the centre of Siena- Il Campo. Once a year there is a horse race around the square. There is a horse from each district, winner gets bragging rights for a whole year and a flag to hang in their district. The center of the square is filled with 50,000 spectators. And I thought it was crowded when I visited!!
Siena is split into 17 different districts, all different animals. This was a statue they had in the Lupa (female wolf) district.
McKenzie and Niki workin' their "juicies" on their way up one of the many hills in Siena.
This is the Duomo of Siena. It really reflects the Gothic architecture that was popular in the medieval times, when Siena was a thriving city. It was suppose to be much larger than it is, but they ran out of many and the building was never completed.
A group shot in front of the Duomo.
me, becca (top), niki, and mckenzie
We ate lunch at a medieval restaurant. It was super cute. It reminded me of a brick cave...I don't know if that really makes sense. They did a great job at setting the mood. There was even a man walking around playing the accordion.
I thought since I was in Siena, I would try pici, a type of noodle made only in Siena and surrounding areas. It's homemade spaghetti noodles, only much thicker and much yummier! We also drank Gallo Nero wine, which is a Chianti wine made in vineyards near Siena.
The end of Siena...now onto San Gimignano!
One of the streets in San Gimignano...or San Pajamas, whichever you prefer.
This little city is set up in the Tuscan Hills. The view is only one thing this town has going for it. Its an ancient town that is known for its towers. During medieval times each family had their own tower which reflected their power and wealth-the taller the tower the more money the family had. If the family lost their money, their tower would be torn down by other families.
We decided that this city was like Disney World. Every corner you turned there was some kind of entertainment. Their was a harpist playing here in a courtyard by the Duomo.
GELATO!!! Best I've had yet. I got fragula (strawberry) and cioccolato. yummmmm....
The ladies of the evening...
mckenzie, me, alyssa, abbey, and smaranda
It appears that Abbey and I have made some friends, but that is not true. We don't know these three guys. We were going to take a picture of the two of us, and these fine young men decided they wanted to be in the picture. Nothing stopped them from hopping in.
Italians not only know how to dress, but they also know how to dance. As you can see this lady has both things going for her. Sadly she didn't have anyone to dance with, so she danced with herself in the mirror....all night. Another fashion update- gold is in, so wear from head to toe as you see our friend doing.
Well it is time for me to have a spoonful of Nutella and hit the sac!
Ciao!
However the peak of the week was probably dinner, turned late night pub crawl, with Abbey. Over dinner Abbey and I were discussing the trips we plan on taking while in Europe, and we began getting really excited about our trip to Ireland.
How ironic was it that there was on Irish Pub just across the street from where we were eating? We thought we had better check it out to make sure we really wanted to visit the country. Upon entering the pub we were asked if we were going to be watching the match. We looked at eachother and decided "why not?". For those of you who are not familiar with the term "match", this is not a wrestling match or a tennis match this was a soccer match. I was a bit confused on the topic, so I thought I'd clarify that for you. We met some other Americans there and ended up having a really good. Turns out we are definitely going to Ireland!
Our next stop for the evening was another bar/cafe where I learned the latest new fad. Apparently wearing only one shoe is a popular new trend starting right here in Italy! Who would ever think?? I will be sure and keep you updated on all the must-haves. But for not take off a shoe, because it's hot!
Friday morning McKenzie and I decided to go to IKEA, which is in a suburb about 20 minutes away. We were told that there was a free shuttle going directly there from the train station, but after being told seven different places on where to catch this bus, we hopped on a city bus and finally made it there.
This is not a homeless person, this is my roommate looking pretty ridiculous. She wasn't properly equipped for the rain. BUT please note that the umbrella she is using was bargained down two euro by yours truly :).
After our treacherous journey across Florence, we finally made it to IKEA, and I couldn't be happier.
On our way home we crossed a bridge, and there was a nice view of the Ponte Vecchio. The Ponte Vecchio is a bridge lined with stores filled with fine gold and silver jewelry. I cross it pretty much everyday.
Saturday we took a trip to Siena. It was such a pretty city, and I was bummed we only got to spend a few hours there. We were able to see the main attractions though.
This is the head of Saint Catherine. Kind of morbid, but I thought it was cool. Saint Catherine was from Siena, and I was able to see her home and learn about her life on my visit.
This is the centre of Siena- Il Campo. Once a year there is a horse race around the square. There is a horse from each district, winner gets bragging rights for a whole year and a flag to hang in their district. The center of the square is filled with 50,000 spectators. And I thought it was crowded when I visited!!
Siena is split into 17 different districts, all different animals. This was a statue they had in the Lupa (female wolf) district.
McKenzie and Niki workin' their "juicies" on their way up one of the many hills in Siena.
This is the Duomo of Siena. It really reflects the Gothic architecture that was popular in the medieval times, when Siena was a thriving city. It was suppose to be much larger than it is, but they ran out of many and the building was never completed.
A group shot in front of the Duomo.
me, becca (top), niki, and mckenzie
We ate lunch at a medieval restaurant. It was super cute. It reminded me of a brick cave...I don't know if that really makes sense. They did a great job at setting the mood. There was even a man walking around playing the accordion.
I thought since I was in Siena, I would try pici, a type of noodle made only in Siena and surrounding areas. It's homemade spaghetti noodles, only much thicker and much yummier! We also drank Gallo Nero wine, which is a Chianti wine made in vineyards near Siena.
The end of Siena...now onto San Gimignano!
One of the streets in San Gimignano...or San Pajamas, whichever you prefer.
This little city is set up in the Tuscan Hills. The view is only one thing this town has going for it. Its an ancient town that is known for its towers. During medieval times each family had their own tower which reflected their power and wealth-the taller the tower the more money the family had. If the family lost their money, their tower would be torn down by other families.
We decided that this city was like Disney World. Every corner you turned there was some kind of entertainment. Their was a harpist playing here in a courtyard by the Duomo.
GELATO!!! Best I've had yet. I got fragula (strawberry) and cioccolato. yummmmm....
The ladies of the evening...
mckenzie, me, alyssa, abbey, and smaranda
It appears that Abbey and I have made some friends, but that is not true. We don't know these three guys. We were going to take a picture of the two of us, and these fine young men decided they wanted to be in the picture. Nothing stopped them from hopping in.
Italians not only know how to dress, but they also know how to dance. As you can see this lady has both things going for her. Sadly she didn't have anyone to dance with, so she danced with herself in the mirror....all night. Another fashion update- gold is in, so wear from head to toe as you see our friend doing.
Well it is time for me to have a spoonful of Nutella and hit the sac!
Ciao!
1 comment:
Sounds like you are having a fabulous time!! If you have time some weekend you should check out Cinque Terre! Beautiful place on the coast!
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