Is it gr-ah-tsee-ah or gr-ah-tsee-eh?

Let me just say that through the butterflies, tears and anxiety, this is the best decision of my life. I know that the first stage of Culture Shock and Adaptation is the "Honeymoon", but let me say, I cannot see this feeling EVER wearing off... all you married couples out there might have said the same thing after the wedding... but still, this place is absolutely fantastic, incredible, enchanting, exciting, captivating, historical, interesting, lively, friendly, safe, happy, and everything else that is good in the world. The Florentine people truly have this whole living thing down pat. Let me describe a typical day in Tuscany, from what I know after 3 days... In the morning, you may be woken up by a variety of church bells that ring every 15 minutes, I was woken up today at 7:45 am, and yes, it rang 52 times. I thought it was some sort of emergency meeting like ye olde villages used to have. Then after about the 40th ring, I was too tired to care and feel back asleep, no emergency, just the Duomo saying "Ciao!" It is also against the law in Italy to have heat running for more that 10 hours per day which includes the water to take a shower, so it is imperative for Italian people to wake up and shower between the hours of 7:00 and 9:00. Otherwise... well, good luck! After a quick breakfast (which I don't have yet because I have yet to go shopping for food), you go about your day, class, work, shopping, etc. Today, my morning activity consisted of a "Survival Tour" with Federica, a very nice woman from API. We walked around our neighborhood and to the main areas of Firenze while Fede pointed out the important areas to shop, hang out, eat, and save money. We began in the Piazza Ognissanti, our piazza across from the Arno River and very near the Ponte Vecchio. Walking down Borgo Ognissanti, we were warned against stepping out into the street because the Italian drivers, they see you crossing but they simply do not care to pause for the pedestrian cross walk. They see you, but they will not hesitate to flatten your ass. We crossed the Arno and walked to the old part of Florence, a place with fewer tourists, cheaper ristorantes, and convenient markets. The markets are open air, with local farmers who drive into the city to sell their goods for a low price and depend on local business. Everything in Florence is local, though. There are a select number of stores that sell goods like Gucci and Dolce e Gabana but most of the stores are small, locally made, specialized, and family owned. It's a wonderful way to live, so personalized, locally supportive, and eco-friendly. We learned about the train station, departing from the airport, and taking the free shuttle to IKEA (okay, I know I just went on a rant about being local but I just love IKEA and they are eco- and organic friendly...) After our tour, we went to a small cafe for panini or pizza. Eating in the cafe can be done two ways, at a table, expensive! or standing, cheaper :) You can take most small things to-go, das porto, and eat as you stroll through the markets or on your way to class. We came back to our apartment, pictures to follow, which is usually chilly but incredible. Then Jessica (my roomie) and I walked to the Ponte Vecchio leather vendor district and did some preliminary browsing for our fancy leather purchases. Yes, it does feel like butter. We made dinner for the first time in our appartemento -- spaghetti and sauce, very yummy and successful.

We've also been looking into travel plans, so many to choose from and not enough EURO to go around! So far my list consists of:
Budapest (hey Cami!)
Germany (if the budget allows...)
Palermo, Sicily
Pisa
Pompei and the Amalfi Coast
Naples
Milan and Lake Como
the Italian/Swiss Alps
Cinque Terre
Excursions:
Rome
Venice
Tuscany
Lucca

And maybe Croatia..?

Alright everyone, sending my love!
Buona Notte!