secrets, secrets are no fun....

Unless they lead you to a delicious chocolate filled croissant.


After leaving a way too crowded American club, Christina's feet were killing her and we were cold and ready to head back to the sweat pants waiting for us at our apartment. It was around 2:00 and we were just starting to make the trek back home when we decided to try to stumble upon a Florentine delicacy: a treat from an infamous "secret bakery".

We were a little skeptical that we would find it. A) we haven't really been in Florence long enough to earn the stripes to merit one of these coveted baked goods and B) we don't know our way around well enough or have enough Italian vocab in our back pocket to follow the directions any local would give us. Nevertheless, we decided we were out late enough and craving chocolate badly enough to at least attempt it.

After a little courage and an, "it's ok we'll never see these people again" we decided to use our Italian (Christina can actually form entire sentences!) and ask a group of girls if they knew anything about one of these so called secret bakeries. For the hundredth time that day we were answered with, "we speak English" and amazingly, these girls knew what we were talking about. They affirmed our crazy treasure hunt and told us where to go.

Taking a right, another right and a left past the landmark we were given, we found it. An unmarked wooden door that we knew must be it. We walked up to it, softly knocked and then with the wafting aroma of fresh pastries in the air encouraging us, loudly rapped on the door.

Nothing.

Guess tonight wasn't the night to find it after all.

Cold and about ready to give up Christina spotted two people with white paper bags walking down the street towards us. Just a few feet away we turned a corner to see a group of about 10 people standing outside of an unmarked door. Getting into line behind them we were just questioning why we were standing out in the freezing cold waiting for what could potentially be nothing when a woman peered out from the cracked door and instantly put a finger to her lips to quiet her hungry patrons. Making our way to the front of the line we ordered 2 croissants with chocolate and waited. Thirty seconds later we were greeted with the warmth of a warm croissant and the amazing smell of freshly baked bread.

Let's just say they were amazing and a secret worth keeping.

a day of firsts

After three days of being here we finally have towels, bearings and feel like it's time to start exploring, getting lost and finding Florentine gems. Thus, today is a big day of firsts!

First remodel of our apartment...starting to feel like home! We even made curtains out of the leftover sheets.

First trip to the market... aka first experience with extreme eye candy everywhere. Mom and Jen you would have died. 

First purchase...a new fur vest from the market! Since I speak NO Italian yet (working on it!) and the man who sold this to me spoke NO english we found common ground with....Spanish! Bueno! 

First pizza... Ley Ley we have you to thank for the most amazing pizza I have ever eaten in my life. We ventured to the other side of the river to Gusta Pizza, ordered the house wine and 4 different pizzas and literally savored every last bite of them. Trying to decide now how many days we have to wait until it is acceptable to go back...tomorrow too soon?

First trip to the art bar...our new favorite cozy spot where every drink literally looks like a work of art!

First italian old man crush...Christina needed a memory card for her camera and popped in a store near the Duomo. We went inside and she was chatting it up with the sweetest old man, Mario. He has been working there since the beginning of WWII when he used to have to work for FOURTEEN months to earn ONE euro.

(photo courtesy of Christina)

First run... Mollie, Christina and I put on a few layers and headed to the Arno for our first run in Florence. We only got lost once and it was amazing to get to run along the beautiful river and see a side of Florence that we haven't explored yet. 

That's all for now!

ciao bella,

FIRENZE

After being in Dallas long enough to relish the relaxing routine of living at home but also to realize that my friends are already well into their routines back at school, I am finally in ITALY! Italy. I still can't even really believe that I am here. Or maybe I can believe that I am here, but not that Florence will be my home for the next 4 months. I have been planning this semester for 2 years now and I cannot believe that it is finally here. After a smooth flight and short drive from Pisa we were greeted in Florence by the most beautiful weather and amazing view of the Arno River. I can only think that this is just a little glimpse of how amazing the rest of our semester is going to be!

Beautiful view of Arno River upon arriving

Our apartment is definitely...cozy. Mollie, Adair Christina and I have one combined kitchen/living/dining room, 2 small bedrooms and a bathroom where the shower has a mind of its own. After 8 seconds of hot water a continuous stream of ice water changed any plans I had for washing my hair last night. BUT it is quaint in its own cozy way and definitely in an amazing location. We are so close to the Duomo, classes and a delicious Gelateria. After the rest of the day spend unpacking and wandering around trying to find towels and laughing at our terrible (terrible as in nonexistent...) understanding of Italian we called it an early night to get some sleep before orientation.

Mollie and me at the Basilica di Santa Croce

Delicious tomatoes at dinner

After a long day of orientation and a nice welcome reception I finished the day with my first delicious dark chocolate gelato. It is almost 10:45 and I am amazed that I am still awake this long without taking a nap so it is definitely time for me to call it a night. I already feel like Florence is the best place that I could have chosen to spend 4 months and I am excited to wake up tomorrow and explore more of this beautiful city!


Ciao Bella,