Today was the official start of Spring Break as we departed on a bus this morning for Naples. The day was great, but windy and foggy. I saw a bunch of really cool things and took a lot of pictures..blah blah I'll talk about that another time. What I want to say right now, as I sit stuffed and sleepy, is that tonight's dinner was such a happy comfort food meal.
We ate in our hotel restaurant, which is really fancy-like, but does not require us to dress fancy-like thankfully. However, the waiters wore green coats and pants with little bow ties and served us our food, so nice! Anyways, that also is not the point of this post. Our meal began with bread on the table, and being as hungry as we were after a long day, I grabbed a piece. Now, just for some background information, bread in Certaldo isn't made with salt, so it's a little more bland than "normal" bread but I've gotten used to it. As soon as I took a bite that bread, I remembered what bread tasted like at home and why I love it so much!! Seriously, I thought I was go bread crazy in Italy, but since most of the bread I eat is saltless, it becomes more of a plate cleaner or soup-dipping tool instead of something I want to snack on regularly. So, noticing that this bread was delicious, of course I ate around five slices...or more. Then, our bow tie waiters brought out a simple pasta dish: rigatoni with a light garlic and butternut squash sauce. Simple and delicious. It was a normal beginning to an Italian dinner (our first course is almost always a pasta of some sort) and didn't too much of that, seeing as another course was coming and I was almost full of bread and pasta. Next, we were brought pork slices with gravy...very flavorful gravy, and tasty pork. As I am eating that, I see our side dish being served to the people across the table from me. MASHED POTATOES!
I was so sure that I would hardly eat any potatoes while in Italy, but I have been pleasantly surprised by the dinners thus far. Bar Boccaccio never fails to have a potato dish ready for us and it's always delicious.
Anyways, I got really excited about the mashed potatoes and actually gasped out loud in excitement, thus providing entertainment for my table mates who were aware of my love for potatoes. Therefore, this meal of good bread, yummy pasta, meat and gravy, and mashed potatoes was a perfect end to the day for me.
Ok that ended up being a large update for a small fact. More about Naples to come, plus Capri, Pompeii, and Amalfi!
Saturday, March 10, 2012
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
Everything happens in bunches
I noticed the other day that all of the eventful things happen within a consecutive number of days. Although, it's usually the weekend, so nevermind.
This past Saturday we went to Volterra and San Gimignano for the day.
Our first stop was the Museo Etrusco in Volterra which was really interesting with lots of Etruscan jewelry and alabaster urns. I love looking at ancient jewelry pieces, partly because you hardly find them on display in museums and mostly because jewelry is just awesome.
They had some amazing gold rings that I would definitely wear, and they had some intense chains. I foresee some Etruscan influence in my future work...
After that museum we were free to explore the lovely city of Volterra. I wish there was a way other than by bus or car to get to Volterra because it was one of the coolest little towns. There was a market set up when we got there in the more central "city" area, but if you move through the town a little further, you get to a quieter area with small shops and restaurants. I found this cool pepper shop with tons of hot sauces that had about a seven-scale hot-o-meter.
Check out the little faces above the door...that's what happens when you eat each type of hot sauce, apparently. There were also different types of flavored olive oil and salsas at that place and jars of olives...I should have gotten jars of rosemary, basil, and garlic flavored olive oil. But I didn't. Sad day.
Besides pizza for lunch, the only other thing we did in Volterra was sit on the ledge of a stone wall overlooking the Tuscan hills and enjoyed the sunny day and beautiful landscape.
San Gimignano was pretty nice too. It was less of a small town and more touristy, in my opinion, but still a great town to hangout in.
We visited a cathedral, the Basilica of Santa Maria Assunta, and saw Taddeo Di Bartolo's The Last Judgment...probably one of the most gruesome and disturbing paintings I've ever seen. So after that was the perfect time to lift our spirits and eat what was supposedly "the world's best gelato"...."WORLD CHAMPION"...I disagree.
I mean it was delicious, yes, but hardly world's best. The places in Siena or Florence could top that in a heart beat! Good gelato, though :)
I had pistacchio, cinnamon, and this vino flavored one that tasted like egg nog. yum. Most of us enjoyed the afternoon sitting in the sunny piazza with our gelato cones. Always a winner.
On Sunday, my friend Taylor and I had decided to plan a brunch because for weeks now we had been craving breakfast food! Mainly pancakes. So, brunch time happened and it was a success! Everyone who wanted to partake had to make and bring something so we had a nice plethora of breakfast dishes.
I made pancakes and others made omelets, hash browns, fruit salad, pound cake and meat pastries (which we scarfed before anything else was finished cooking...delish).
I should mention that everything we baked or made was homemade and, due to our lack of measuring utensils, we guestimated all of the measurements and everything was fantastic!!! Are we good or are we good?
Hopefully there are more brunches to come because pancakes need to happen again.
Sunday night we were invited to the ceramics studio so we could help paint bowls that were going to eventually be filled with food and given to a charity.
La Meridiana, the ceramics studio, is in a gorgeous location. It's still in Certaldo, but a drive away. Everything was beautiful there and they have a wood burning stove outside so we were able to make homemade pizzas as we watched the sunset.
It was a great evening, especially when I made my nutella/banana pizza! and then sat by the prepared fire chatting for hours. My kind of night.
MONDAY we had enameling class in Florence and went to Alchimia Jewellery School and the family silversmithing workshop that's been passed down in Fabrizio's family for generations.
Alchimia was very close to my dream school (I'd like to actually be in the hills/mountains...but can't complain).
...Living in the residential area of Florence, making jewelry, learning from famous artists, and entering contests.
I'm seriously considering applying there in the future. Here that, mom? I haven't mentioned this to you yet...but there ya go! We'll talk later.
Fabrizio's family studio was a little hole in the wall place. Seriously, you just go into one of the doors on the street--looks the same as all of the other doors--walk in, and boom!
It's a cute little silversmithing studio with displayed finished trinkets at the entrance, four men banging hammers and torching metal at their benches, and two women making silver fur to go on the silver animals at their benches.
I can't even imagine making those detailed figurines daily. Amazing.
For lunch, Emily, Caitlin and I decided to be adventurous and try some Italian Chinese food. It was worth the experience to say we did it, but probably not worth anything else. Emily got beef and broccoli, but Caitlin and I got this sweet and sour pork stuff...with the bone still in it.
I don't see a reason for having a bone still in an inch long piece of meat. Such a weird meal, but Emily had a great time laughing at me and Caitlin struggle to chew the meat and spit out the bone.
Quite the experience. A while later, I finally enjoyed the gelato at this place that Linda and everyone raves about.
I think that gelato and the gelato in Siena are at a very close tie. Bests.
Since then I've finished my brooch series, planned for future projects, BOUGHT AN ESPRESSO MAKER (possibly the best and worst market buy...I had close to 5 cups today), bought a 16 € euro suitcase (win), and planned for SPRING BREAK!! Three days until we depart for Naples, Pompeii, and Amalfi. AND THEN a group of us are going to SICILY!! Cannot wait. Hoping for the warmest Spring Italian weather possible! Unfortunately I still have a project to work on and a test to study for...
I'm thinking a jam out/study session while waiting for my laundry to finish will occur tomorrow in Basso.
THREE DAYS!
WARNING: there are a lot of pictures in this post!
(sorry if you've already seen them all on facebook)
This past Saturday we went to Volterra and San Gimignano for the day.
Our first stop was the Museo Etrusco in Volterra which was really interesting with lots of Etruscan jewelry and alabaster urns. I love looking at ancient jewelry pieces, partly because you hardly find them on display in museums and mostly because jewelry is just awesome.
They had some amazing gold rings that I would definitely wear, and they had some intense chains. I foresee some Etruscan influence in my future work...
After that museum we were free to explore the lovely city of Volterra. I wish there was a way other than by bus or car to get to Volterra because it was one of the coolest little towns. There was a market set up when we got there in the more central "city" area, but if you move through the town a little further, you get to a quieter area with small shops and restaurants. I found this cool pepper shop with tons of hot sauces that had about a seven-scale hot-o-meter.
Check out the little faces above the door...that's what happens when you eat each type of hot sauce, apparently. There were also different types of flavored olive oil and salsas at that place and jars of olives...I should have gotten jars of rosemary, basil, and garlic flavored olive oil. But I didn't. Sad day.
Besides pizza for lunch, the only other thing we did in Volterra was sit on the ledge of a stone wall overlooking the Tuscan hills and enjoyed the sunny day and beautiful landscape.
San Gimignano was pretty nice too. It was less of a small town and more touristy, in my opinion, but still a great town to hangout in.
We visited a cathedral, the Basilica of Santa Maria Assunta, and saw Taddeo Di Bartolo's The Last Judgment...probably one of the most gruesome and disturbing paintings I've ever seen. So after that was the perfect time to lift our spirits and eat what was supposedly "the world's best gelato"...."WORLD CHAMPION"...I disagree.
I mean it was delicious, yes, but hardly world's best. The places in Siena or Florence could top that in a heart beat! Good gelato, though :)
I had pistacchio, cinnamon, and this vino flavored one that tasted like egg nog. yum. Most of us enjoyed the afternoon sitting in the sunny piazza with our gelato cones. Always a winner.
On Sunday, my friend Taylor and I had decided to plan a brunch because for weeks now we had been craving breakfast food! Mainly pancakes. So, brunch time happened and it was a success! Everyone who wanted to partake had to make and bring something so we had a nice plethora of breakfast dishes.
I made pancakes and others made omelets, hash browns, fruit salad, pound cake and meat pastries (which we scarfed before anything else was finished cooking...delish).
I should mention that everything we baked or made was homemade and, due to our lack of measuring utensils, we guestimated all of the measurements and everything was fantastic!!! Are we good or are we good?
Hopefully there are more brunches to come because pancakes need to happen again.
Sunday night we were invited to the ceramics studio so we could help paint bowls that were going to eventually be filled with food and given to a charity.
La Meridiana, the ceramics studio, is in a gorgeous location. It's still in Certaldo, but a drive away. Everything was beautiful there and they have a wood burning stove outside so we were able to make homemade pizzas as we watched the sunset.
It was a great evening, especially when I made my nutella/banana pizza! and then sat by the prepared fire chatting for hours. My kind of night.
MONDAY we had enameling class in Florence and went to Alchimia Jewellery School and the family silversmithing workshop that's been passed down in Fabrizio's family for generations.
Alchimia was very close to my dream school (I'd like to actually be in the hills/mountains...but can't complain).
...Living in the residential area of Florence, making jewelry, learning from famous artists, and entering contests.
I'm seriously considering applying there in the future. Here that, mom? I haven't mentioned this to you yet...but there ya go! We'll talk later.
Fabrizio's family studio was a little hole in the wall place. Seriously, you just go into one of the doors on the street--looks the same as all of the other doors--walk in, and boom!
It's a cute little silversmithing studio with displayed finished trinkets at the entrance, four men banging hammers and torching metal at their benches, and two women making silver fur to go on the silver animals at their benches.
I can't even imagine making those detailed figurines daily. Amazing.
I don't see a reason for having a bone still in an inch long piece of meat. Such a weird meal, but Emily had a great time laughing at me and Caitlin struggle to chew the meat and spit out the bone.
Caitlin's fork broke...
Quite the experience. A while later, I finally enjoyed the gelato at this place that Linda and everyone raves about.
I think that gelato and the gelato in Siena are at a very close tie. Bests.
Since then I've finished my brooch series, planned for future projects, BOUGHT AN ESPRESSO MAKER (possibly the best and worst market buy...I had close to 5 cups today), bought a 16 € euro suitcase (win), and planned for SPRING BREAK!! Three days until we depart for Naples, Pompeii, and Amalfi. AND THEN a group of us are going to SICILY!! Cannot wait. Hoping for the warmest Spring Italian weather possible! Unfortunately I still have a project to work on and a test to study for...
I'm thinking a jam out/study session while waiting for my laundry to finish will occur tomorrow in Basso.
THREE DAYS!
Thursday, March 1, 2012
Beautiful day after Beautiful day!
The days are progressively getting better and better! ...Not that they were ever truly bad. Granted, I still have unpleasant days in the studio or complain about the lack of insulation and how cold we get as the sun goes down, and how annoying it is to walk down and up a hill to do laundry and buy groceries. But all petty complaints aside, this place has been amazing.
This past Saturday, we FINALLY went to Siena!!!!!
I think I can count Siena as my favorite city thus far. I consider it a mix between Florence and Certaldo; not too busy city-like and not as small townie.
We basically hung around, ate lunch, and toured the Duomo. Favorite aspect number one: there was this giant, amazing piazza that was the perfect afternoon relaxation spot in the gorgeous sunny Spring weather.
I could sit there for hours (and almost did) just people watching and basking in the afternoon sun.
Favorite aspect number two: I experienced THE BEST (I know I say that alot, but this was THE BEST) gelato I've ever tasted. It was about time. I was disappointed about all of the other gelato I'd had previously...not bad, but not impressive. I learned that if any gelato shop has stacked flavors of gelato (like a mountain) then its shipped in and not fresh (non buon). As soon as I walked in, I could tell that this shop was going to have amazing gelato.
SO MANY FLAVORS! It took be a good 5 minutes to decide. Dark chocolate and strawberry with panna (cream or whipped cream).
Now that I've spent a few minutes talking about amazing gelato...
Siena was great and I definitely want to make a trip back there at some point to hang out in the Piazza del Campo and eat some delicious gelato.
Sunday we FINALLY had last weekend's intended walk/picnic/photoshoot. It was nice and breezy...until it got cold and windy.
But we trucked along up the hill and to the park, made it to a few benches, enjoyed some cookies and wine, and took pictures along the way.
Then it got freezing and windy so we headed back only to be rushed by a rain storm! Needless to say, it was an eventful afternoon and still fun and adventurous.
Monday we were supposed to go to Florence again to visit a metalsmithing factory, but that was postponed until next Monday. This whole week, to my recollection, has been delightful (except the numerous troubles I ran into while making my brooch series) and I finished one brooch in my series and started another! YAYY!!
Yesterday was a fantastic day! I finished my first brooch, it was beautiful and sunny outside, and I went on a run through the hillside! What better running scenery could you ask for? Then, we ate dinner at Bar Boccaccio (always a favorite) and they served us wurstel (fancy hot dogs) and french fries! French fries. All of us Americans were like whaatttt? They did it for us :) In addition to modified American favorites, we head delicious steamed spinach, salad, scrumptious mushroom lasagna, and probably the best soup I've ever had in my life. It's full of vegetables (including potatoes) so it's super chunky but still soupy and you're supposed to eat it with a piece of toasted bread at the bottom of the bowl so it soaks up the juices. Mm Mm Mm. Throw a little meat in there and I would eat that 24/7.
On my run yesterday I entirely confirmed that Italians are the nicest coolest people ever! I walked down Via Boccaccio (the street in Certaldo Alto) to the opening of the road that leads to the hills and passed a group of old people. Whenever they're congregated outside the building they always give a friendly, "Ciao!". Then, while I was running I passed someone who was walking the opposite direction and after I waved at them they said, "Ciao," and started cheering me on for my run! Then ANOTHER person, who I'd seen running in front of me at one point, passed me after I finished and gave me a thumbs up! Thank you walking person and running dude! Your encouragement means a lot!!
Hopefully the smiles and sunny days continue!
This past Saturday, we FINALLY went to Siena!!!!!
I think I can count Siena as my favorite city thus far. I consider it a mix between Florence and Certaldo; not too busy city-like and not as small townie.
We basically hung around, ate lunch, and toured the Duomo. Favorite aspect number one: there was this giant, amazing piazza that was the perfect afternoon relaxation spot in the gorgeous sunny Spring weather.
I could sit there for hours (and almost did) just people watching and basking in the afternoon sun.
Favorite aspect number two: I experienced THE BEST (I know I say that alot, but this was THE BEST) gelato I've ever tasted. It was about time. I was disappointed about all of the other gelato I'd had previously...not bad, but not impressive. I learned that if any gelato shop has stacked flavors of gelato (like a mountain) then its shipped in and not fresh (non buon). As soon as I walked in, I could tell that this shop was going to have amazing gelato.
SO MANY FLAVORS! It took be a good 5 minutes to decide. Dark chocolate and strawberry with panna (cream or whipped cream).
Now that I've spent a few minutes talking about amazing gelato...
Siena was great and I definitely want to make a trip back there at some point to hang out in the Piazza del Campo and eat some delicious gelato.
Sunday we FINALLY had last weekend's intended walk/picnic/photoshoot. It was nice and breezy...until it got cold and windy.
But we trucked along up the hill and to the park, made it to a few benches, enjoyed some cookies and wine, and took pictures along the way.
Then it got freezing and windy so we headed back only to be rushed by a rain storm! Needless to say, it was an eventful afternoon and still fun and adventurous.
Monday we were supposed to go to Florence again to visit a metalsmithing factory, but that was postponed until next Monday. This whole week, to my recollection, has been delightful (except the numerous troubles I ran into while making my brooch series) and I finished one brooch in my series and started another! YAYY!!
Yesterday was a fantastic day! I finished my first brooch, it was beautiful and sunny outside, and I went on a run through the hillside! What better running scenery could you ask for? Then, we ate dinner at Bar Boccaccio (always a favorite) and they served us wurstel (fancy hot dogs) and french fries! French fries. All of us Americans were like whaatttt? They did it for us :) In addition to modified American favorites, we head delicious steamed spinach, salad, scrumptious mushroom lasagna, and probably the best soup I've ever had in my life. It's full of vegetables (including potatoes) so it's super chunky but still soupy and you're supposed to eat it with a piece of toasted bread at the bottom of the bowl so it soaks up the juices. Mm Mm Mm. Throw a little meat in there and I would eat that 24/7.
On my run yesterday I entirely confirmed that Italians are the nicest coolest people ever! I walked down Via Boccaccio (the street in Certaldo Alto) to the opening of the road that leads to the hills and passed a group of old people. Whenever they're congregated outside the building they always give a friendly, "Ciao!". Then, while I was running I passed someone who was walking the opposite direction and after I waved at them they said, "Ciao," and started cheering me on for my run! Then ANOTHER person, who I'd seen running in front of me at one point, passed me after I finished and gave me a thumbs up! Thank you walking person and running dude! Your encouragement means a lot!!
Hopefully the smiles and sunny days continue!
Thursday, February 23, 2012
Spring has Sprung!
It has been a BEAUTIFUL day in Certaldo!
Today I walked to the Coop (grocery store) during class to get some materials and groceries, of course, and it was soooo nice! The sun was shining, the cold chill was light, and the wind was scarce. I spent most of my day in the studio, unfortunately, because we had and extended jewelry class so a few visitors (Fabrizio and Francesco) could teach us a different metalworking method of chasing and repousse.
BUT before that all happened, our class had a sporadic 90's and early 2000's music marathon throwback. So we listened to a bunch of our childhood favorites and talked about awesome, cheesy, Disney movies and shows. It was easily a great morning.
Not to mention, as we were waiting for Fabrizio and Francesco to arrive, it was such a gorgeous day that a group of us decided to sunbath right outside the studio in chairs and on the brick wall. After weeks of cold and snowy grounds, that moment of sun and relaxation was simply wonderful.
Chasing and repousse was awesome! but time consuming. I also think I may be allergic to tar...or I just focused too much on chasing...or my contacts were just killing me. Needless to say, I cried, but enjoyed it.
This Sunday is supposed to be great weather so the plan is to have the picnic and photoshoot that us girls cancelled last weekend in the gorgeous sunshine! Can't wait!
Tomorrow night we have another dinner with the mayor at Bar Boccaccio...always a good choice.
Saturday we're FINALLY going to Siena (crossing my fingers) !!!
Looks like a great few days to come!
((all of today's photo credits go to Caitlin Devlin))
 |
| chillin |
 |
| setting up for chasing and repousse |
BUT before that all happened, our class had a sporadic 90's and early 2000's music marathon throwback. So we listened to a bunch of our childhood favorites and talked about awesome, cheesy, Disney movies and shows. It was easily a great morning.
Not to mention, as we were waiting for Fabrizio and Francesco to arrive, it was such a gorgeous day that a group of us decided to sunbath right outside the studio in chairs and on the brick wall. After weeks of cold and snowy grounds, that moment of sun and relaxation was simply wonderful.
 |
| Fabrizio!! |
This Sunday is supposed to be great weather so the plan is to have the picnic and photoshoot that us girls cancelled last weekend in the gorgeous sunshine! Can't wait!
Tomorrow night we have another dinner with the mayor at Bar Boccaccio...always a good choice.
Saturday we're FINALLY going to Siena (crossing my fingers) !!!
Looks like a great few days to come!
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Enjoying the Tuscan hills that I call home
Last week/this past weekend was definitely one of my favorites...strike that, it's my favorite
Last Monday was just another day (although I enameled my first pair of earrings!) But Tuesday was Valentines Day! Us girls planned to have a white chocolate/nutella fondue night with lots of fruit and looottts of nutella.
Let's just say that we demolished that table of food in a matter of 10 minutes or less. Unfortunately, there were so many people in such a small space (people eager for food, at that) and we happened to break a bowl, a saucer, and a glass in the process. Oops.
Also, last week I was supposed to get a package in the mail from my mama, said to be delivered in the 14th. Do you think I got it on the 14th? Customs is the worst. I finally got that package today (YAY) but that was after my mom contacted FedEx. Not to mention, mailing letters in Italy is fairly expensive. Do Italians not like snail mail? I like snail mail. But I can't hate on Italians because they are some of the nicest people I have ever met in my life. No joke.
Anyways, last Thursday was one of the first warm days here so it was the perfect day for a walk!
I went down to Certaldo Basso for lunch and ended up exploring the town a bit.
We heard little kids playing during recess and it was such a happy sound! I don't know if it was because Italian children sound adorable or if it was because we don't see many kids here but that was a highlight of my day. Creepy? Oh well.
After THAT walk, I went with two other girls for a walk around the hills of Certaldo.
I hope I never get the image of those views out of my head, they were beautiful!
That night was our last dinner at Osteria da Chichibio, which was one of the best restaurants we've been to so far. Then a group of us went to Giovanni's A Casa Tua for Caitlin's Birthday cake! Yum chocolate! Giovanni has delicious food.
Saturday a group of us we supposed to go on a walk to the same place we walked through the hills and picnic there, but it was Certaldo Alto's Carnevale so we spent all day walking up and down the main street and enjoying the festivities.
It was like a giant kid-friendly, Mardi Gras-esque, Halloween-like party
and there was so much silly string and confetti and shaving cream party spray things.
It was awesome. I also confirmed my love for hazelnuts. They are spectacularly delicious.
Sunday we went to Florence for our two day stay. Florence is definitely one of my favorite places and has become my second Italian home. I'm sure I've said that before, or at least it feels like I've said it a million times, but it's true. Unfortunately, there was some two for one Valentines Day special deal for museum tickets and all of the museums were packed so we decided to make Sunday a free day and check out museums the next day. I'm not going to lie, I wasn't heart broken about having more time to shop and explore. I finally got black leather boots to replace my ripping/worn ones at home!
And it was the last day of the Florence chocolate festival!
Boots and chocolate. That's all I needed.
Not to mention Florence is beautiful, as well, so what could be better?
Monday (yesterday) we woke up from our hostel in Florence, which was so cool! It was only the second hostel I've ever been in, but it'll probably be one of the best. There were so many replicas of famous paintings on the walls downstairs and upstairs where our rooms were, the walls were covered in signatures of past travelers.
Also, the breakfast they served was the best breakfast I've had since being in Italy, because Italian apparently don't care about breakfast. I had an omelet with toast, some breakfast-type cookies (or just cookies), a cappuccino, tiramisu, and some weird banana bread that i only took one bite of. I was full and satisfied until lunchtime. Speaking of lunchtime, I finally found the wonderful Italian pizza that I was looking for! Oddly enough, it was at the place where the Jersey Shore cast worked when they were in Florence. Because of that fact I was afraid the pizza would only be OK, but it was phenomenal! mmm Mozzarella, gorgonzola, speck ham pizza.
I'll be going back there.
That day was pretty rainy, windy, sleety, and cold, so we all decided to head back to Certaldo a few hours early and just relax. Luckily, next Monday our enameling class is taking another trip to Florence to see a metalsmithing shop or a museum or something to do with metals...I can't remember exactly what. But I'm all for class field trips!
On another happy note: It's supposed to get up to 60 degrees by this Friday!
YAY!
Last Monday was just another day (although I enameled my first pair of earrings!) But Tuesday was Valentines Day! Us girls planned to have a white chocolate/nutella fondue night with lots of fruit and looottts of nutella.
Let's just say that we demolished that table of food in a matter of 10 minutes or less. Unfortunately, there were so many people in such a small space (people eager for food, at that) and we happened to break a bowl, a saucer, and a glass in the process. Oops.
Also, last week I was supposed to get a package in the mail from my mama, said to be delivered in the 14th. Do you think I got it on the 14th? Customs is the worst. I finally got that package today (YAY) but that was after my mom contacted FedEx. Not to mention, mailing letters in Italy is fairly expensive. Do Italians not like snail mail? I like snail mail. But I can't hate on Italians because they are some of the nicest people I have ever met in my life. No joke.
Anyways, last Thursday was one of the first warm days here so it was the perfect day for a walk!
I went down to Certaldo Basso for lunch and ended up exploring the town a bit.
We heard little kids playing during recess and it was such a happy sound! I don't know if it was because Italian children sound adorable or if it was because we don't see many kids here but that was a highlight of my day. Creepy? Oh well.
After THAT walk, I went with two other girls for a walk around the hills of Certaldo.
I hope I never get the image of those views out of my head, they were beautiful!
That night was our last dinner at Osteria da Chichibio, which was one of the best restaurants we've been to so far. Then a group of us went to Giovanni's A Casa Tua for Caitlin's Birthday cake! Yum chocolate! Giovanni has delicious food.
Saturday a group of us we supposed to go on a walk to the same place we walked through the hills and picnic there, but it was Certaldo Alto's Carnevale so we spent all day walking up and down the main street and enjoying the festivities.
It was like a giant kid-friendly, Mardi Gras-esque, Halloween-like party
and there was so much silly string and confetti and shaving cream party spray things.
It was awesome. I also confirmed my love for hazelnuts. They are spectacularly delicious.
Sunday we went to Florence for our two day stay. Florence is definitely one of my favorite places and has become my second Italian home. I'm sure I've said that before, or at least it feels like I've said it a million times, but it's true. Unfortunately, there was some two for one Valentines Day special deal for museum tickets and all of the museums were packed so we decided to make Sunday a free day and check out museums the next day. I'm not going to lie, I wasn't heart broken about having more time to shop and explore. I finally got black leather boots to replace my ripping/worn ones at home!
And it was the last day of the Florence chocolate festival!
Not to mention Florence is beautiful, as well, so what could be better?
Monday (yesterday) we woke up from our hostel in Florence, which was so cool! It was only the second hostel I've ever been in, but it'll probably be one of the best. There were so many replicas of famous paintings on the walls downstairs and upstairs where our rooms were, the walls were covered in signatures of past travelers.
Also, the breakfast they served was the best breakfast I've had since being in Italy, because Italian apparently don't care about breakfast. I had an omelet with toast, some breakfast-type cookies (or just cookies), a cappuccino, tiramisu, and some weird banana bread that i only took one bite of. I was full and satisfied until lunchtime. Speaking of lunchtime, I finally found the wonderful Italian pizza that I was looking for! Oddly enough, it was at the place where the Jersey Shore cast worked when they were in Florence. Because of that fact I was afraid the pizza would only be OK, but it was phenomenal! mmm Mozzarella, gorgonzola, speck ham pizza.
I'll be going back there.
That day was pretty rainy, windy, sleety, and cold, so we all decided to head back to Certaldo a few hours early and just relax. Luckily, next Monday our enameling class is taking another trip to Florence to see a metalsmithing shop or a museum or something to do with metals...I can't remember exactly what. But I'm all for class field trips!
On another happy note: It's supposed to get up to 60 degrees by this Friday!
YAY!
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