Saturday, we had class like usual except the weather was not on our side. It was sprinkling, overcast, and super windy so Dr. A let us out early.
Since our train to Florence wasn't departing until 3:15, the girls and myself went back to the hotel to shower, pack, and eat lunch. We left the Ercoli at 2 o'clock sharp because we wanted to have plenty of time getting there without being rushed, and especially because we had no clue what we were doing or where we were going. So we get there, "check in," and try to find our train on the board. It finally shows on the screen and tells us it will be departing from platform 1es... which is completely different than platform 1.. so we found out. It's like 3:07 and there was still no sign of a train. I was worried anyways about the whole "es" part, and there was a sign pointing to another part of the station that said "Binary 1 est e 2 es," so I suggested we walk down to see what that was all about. Well, needless to say, we wind up running to our train as whistles are blowing, doors are shutting, and we barely make it in. I'm serious when I say it was like a movie scene. All of us were running with huge backpacks and pulling a carry on suite case behind us. It must have been a sight. After three and a half hours of train time, we arrive in Florence and find Hotel Boston. It's a cute little hotel run by an older couple. I loved it a lot and would probably stay there again just to talk and hangout with the couple. So Saturday night, we just found somewhere to eat and then got gelato afterwards. Everyone went to bed pretty early except me -- I got the lovely opportunity to talk to Brandon for awhile on Skype. It was by far one of our best Skype dates because we hadn't seen each other in awhile and we had so much to tell each other. :)
Sunday morning we had breakfast at Hotel Boston and set out for the Academy around 8:20 am. The line wasn't long and we got in relatively fast. I'm in loveee with David! He's absolutely beautiful and I could stare at him for hours. After the Academy, we went to the Uffizi. There were a ton of famous pieces there, it was almost overwhelming. We ate lunch right afterwards and then hit the street markets. I could shop in Florence for forever if I had to. The smell of leather as you're walking down the street was probably my favorite part about the town. But anyways, I was so excited to buy things for people using my handy dandy list I made -- yes, I am my mother's daughter. After shopping for hours, we went back to the hotel and chilled for awhile. Then we decided to go out for a late dinner. As we were walking out of the hotel, it started sprinkling, and we decided not to go back and get umbrellas or anything. During dinner, it starts pouring rain and it never let up. So needless to say, we ran back to our hotel in the rain. The whole time we were laughing and screaming like crazy people. It was so much fun and I will honestly never forget that moment. My clothes were soaked, my hair was dripping, and I was semi-out of breath, but I didn't give a care in the world.
Monday morning we woke up for breakfast again, packed, and checked out. We set out to shop some more... a few hours later we were all grumpy, overwhelmed, starving, and tired. I'm pretty sure pizza is all of our favorite default foods because that's how we base prices of restaurants and that's usually what we all get. Lunch was much needed, especially because I was able to move into my new leather wallet I had just got -- my big girl wallet. Afterwards, we explored Florence some more and were sad to leave. The train ride back went by faster than I thought it would, and I was so happy to be back in Rome. We got McDonald's for dinner! My first "American" meal since I've been here and it was soooo good! Also, walking back to the Ercoli from the train station must have been another sight to see because we were all struggling so hard with all of our bags. My shoulders are sore from it, not even lying.
Our weekend ended last night, as class was this morning.. bright and early at 8:30 am. Everyone was exhausted from their little trips -- some people went to Venice and some just explored more in Rome. We went to Ostia Antica today, which was Rome's old port city. (I'll upload pictures tomorrow from today.) It was a beautiful day. The sun was shining, the wind was blowing, and all I could think about was the beach which was two stops down on the Metro. After class, we all pretty much went to the beach and I passed out. Next thing I know, the girls were waking me up because a huge storm cloud had rolled in and I was so bummed. Today was a struggle though -- I'm at the point where I'm so incredibly ready to be back at home with family and friends, but at the same time I do not want to leave. We have exactly two weeks left with three finals at the end and I might die. I'm definitely going to start studying tomorrow and getting things prepared for them. I refuse to stress out hardcore at the end to the point where I won't be able to enjoy my last few days in Rome before I leave. Meehhh. Time flies when you're having fun, I suppose.
The remains of the Imperial Forum and Trajan's marketplace.
Since our train to Florence wasn't departing until 3:15, the girls and myself went back to the hotel to shower, pack, and eat lunch. We left the Ercoli at 2 o'clock sharp because we wanted to have plenty of time getting there without being rushed, and especially because we had no clue what we were doing or where we were going. So we get there, "check in," and try to find our train on the board. It finally shows on the screen and tells us it will be departing from platform 1es... which is completely different than platform 1.. so we found out. It's like 3:07 and there was still no sign of a train. I was worried anyways about the whole "es" part, and there was a sign pointing to another part of the station that said "Binary 1 est e 2 es," so I suggested we walk down to see what that was all about. Well, needless to say, we wind up running to our train as whistles are blowing, doors are shutting, and we barely make it in. I'm serious when I say it was like a movie scene. All of us were running with huge backpacks and pulling a carry on suite case behind us. It must have been a sight. After three and a half hours of train time, we arrive in Florence and find Hotel Boston. It's a cute little hotel run by an older couple. I loved it a lot and would probably stay there again just to talk and hangout with the couple. So Saturday night, we just found somewhere to eat and then got gelato afterwards. Everyone went to bed pretty early except me -- I got the lovely opportunity to talk to Brandon for awhile on Skype. It was by far one of our best Skype dates because we hadn't seen each other in awhile and we had so much to tell each other. :)
The BEST dinner I've ever had -- gnocchi with a salmon cream sauce. And yes, I'm still taking pictures of my beautifully prepared meals.
Sunday morning we had breakfast at Hotel Boston and set out for the Academy around 8:20 am. The line wasn't long and we got in relatively fast. I'm in loveee with David! He's absolutely beautiful and I could stare at him for hours. After the Academy, we went to the Uffizi. There were a ton of famous pieces there, it was almost overwhelming. We ate lunch right afterwards and then hit the street markets. I could shop in Florence for forever if I had to. The smell of leather as you're walking down the street was probably my favorite part about the town. But anyways, I was so excited to buy things for people using my handy dandy list I made -- yes, I am my mother's daughter. After shopping for hours, we went back to the hotel and chilled for awhile. Then we decided to go out for a late dinner. As we were walking out of the hotel, it started sprinkling, and we decided not to go back and get umbrellas or anything. During dinner, it starts pouring rain and it never let up. So needless to say, we ran back to our hotel in the rain. The whole time we were laughing and screaming like crazy people. It was so much fun and I will honestly never forget that moment. My clothes were soaked, my hair was dripping, and I was semi-out of breath, but I didn't give a care in the world.
I snuck a picture of Davidddd!
The Duomo.
Monday morning we woke up for breakfast again, packed, and checked out. We set out to shop some more... a few hours later we were all grumpy, overwhelmed, starving, and tired. I'm pretty sure pizza is all of our favorite default foods because that's how we base prices of restaurants and that's usually what we all get. Lunch was much needed, especially because I was able to move into my new leather wallet I had just got -- my big girl wallet. Afterwards, we explored Florence some more and were sad to leave. The train ride back went by faster than I thought it would, and I was so happy to be back in Rome. We got McDonald's for dinner! My first "American" meal since I've been here and it was soooo good! Also, walking back to the Ercoli from the train station must have been another sight to see because we were all struggling so hard with all of our bags. My shoulders are sore from it, not even lying.
The Tiber in Florence.
Our weekend ended last night, as class was this morning.. bright and early at 8:30 am. Everyone was exhausted from their little trips -- some people went to Venice and some just explored more in Rome. We went to Ostia Antica today, which was Rome's old port city. (I'll upload pictures tomorrow from today.) It was a beautiful day. The sun was shining, the wind was blowing, and all I could think about was the beach which was two stops down on the Metro. After class, we all pretty much went to the beach and I passed out. Next thing I know, the girls were waking me up because a huge storm cloud had rolled in and I was so bummed. Today was a struggle though -- I'm at the point where I'm so incredibly ready to be back at home with family and friends, but at the same time I do not want to leave. We have exactly two weeks left with three finals at the end and I might die. I'm definitely going to start studying tomorrow and getting things prepared for them. I refuse to stress out hardcore at the end to the point where I won't be able to enjoy my last few days in Rome before I leave. Meehhh. Time flies when you're having fun, I suppose.
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