Well, I have made it, in case you didn’t know from my various social media post.
The journey here was quite long, obviously. But just as it bored me, I won’t bore you with the details. Except that on the flight from Amsterdam to Rome, I was served the cutest little Dutch sandwich in an itty, bitty crate. It was literally the only highlight of my flight, besides watching Josh Hutcherson in Catching Fire.
Anyways, then we took this incredibly hot bus ride three and a half hours to the place I’ll be living for the next three months, Castiglion Fiorentino. Right now, I’d love to be able to talk about the beautiful Italian countryside, but I slept through most the bus trip.
Upon arriving, we received our rooms and took a tour of the little city that I now call home. When people told me Italy was hot, I was NOT expecting to have sweat pouring all over me just by walking up a hill. And let me add that they DO NOT have AC. Be thankful for the air you have, friends and family. That’s the top of my list to do when I get back: sit in front on a cold floor and appreciate my AC. Right after I hug my family. Anyways, not only is there no AC, THE HILLS ARE STEEP. VERY. VERY. VERY. VERY. STEEP. Yes, I was the last one in the pack to make it to the top, occasionally, but I cannot even describe to you the incline. It’s like walking up a stone ladder? I doubt that will help, but I can say I am definitely getting a great workout. I think I’ll come back with a body of steel, like Iron Man.
Anyways, I had my first Italian dinner, like real Italian, not Olive Garden. I don’t think I can ever go back to that place. Except for those breadsticks. You can't resist the sticks. I get a three-course dinner every night for the course of my stay. I love food. After the endless Italian food, my tired exhausted body went to bed where I beat jet-lag in one day!
Oh, I need to mention my dorm room. I'll add a picture to the gallery soon, but the small bathroom I am sharing with my roommate. You cannot tell how small it is, but let’s just say I have to lose ten pounds to fit in my shower. Shaving my legs is NOT an option right now. It’s only three months, right? Ha. Ha. Ha.
On to my first full day here, I woke up to the sound of the bells at 7:30. 7:30!!! I guess I won’t need my alarm clock here anymore, but it did make me want to frolic in the hills singing the Sound of Music. Maybe I can do that before I leave….
Like waking up with the chickens, I woke up the bells, and decided to go to the café and get my first cappuccino. My dad would be so proud of me, waking up and drinking coffee. I don’t even drink coffee, and I loved it! Now, I get the Italian courtyard view and coffee on the terrace. After the beautiful breakfast, we climbed all the way to the top of an old watchtower that used to be part of an old medieval castle. The view was absolutely breath taking. The mountains and hills(are alive with the sound of music) are absolutely a sight to behold. I’m so lucky to be on such an adventure.
Besides the sweat and tears, just kidding there were no tears, just more sweat, I was able to have a nice Italian lunch with pizza and wine. I wrapped up the day with my first Italian lesson and another three-course dinner. Only to end up at the gelato bar, which is literally the best form of ice cream on the planet.
Only 88 more days to go, till I get ice back in my drinks, cold air in my hair, and I will not be legal anymore. Stay tuned for more updates! Ciao!
Sincerely yours,
Sadie
The journey here was quite long, obviously. But just as it bored me, I won’t bore you with the details. Except that on the flight from Amsterdam to Rome, I was served the cutest little Dutch sandwich in an itty, bitty crate. It was literally the only highlight of my flight, besides watching Josh Hutcherson in Catching Fire.
Anyways, then we took this incredibly hot bus ride three and a half hours to the place I’ll be living for the next three months, Castiglion Fiorentino. Right now, I’d love to be able to talk about the beautiful Italian countryside, but I slept through most the bus trip.
Upon arriving, we received our rooms and took a tour of the little city that I now call home. When people told me Italy was hot, I was NOT expecting to have sweat pouring all over me just by walking up a hill. And let me add that they DO NOT have AC. Be thankful for the air you have, friends and family. That’s the top of my list to do when I get back: sit in front on a cold floor and appreciate my AC. Right after I hug my family. Anyways, not only is there no AC, THE HILLS ARE STEEP. VERY. VERY. VERY. VERY. STEEP. Yes, I was the last one in the pack to make it to the top, occasionally, but I cannot even describe to you the incline. It’s like walking up a stone ladder? I doubt that will help, but I can say I am definitely getting a great workout. I think I’ll come back with a body of steel, like Iron Man.
Anyways, I had my first Italian dinner, like real Italian, not Olive Garden. I don’t think I can ever go back to that place. Except for those breadsticks. You can't resist the sticks. I get a three-course dinner every night for the course of my stay. I love food. After the endless Italian food, my tired exhausted body went to bed where I beat jet-lag in one day!
Oh, I need to mention my dorm room. I'll add a picture to the gallery soon, but the small bathroom I am sharing with my roommate. You cannot tell how small it is, but let’s just say I have to lose ten pounds to fit in my shower. Shaving my legs is NOT an option right now. It’s only three months, right? Ha. Ha. Ha.
On to my first full day here, I woke up to the sound of the bells at 7:30. 7:30!!! I guess I won’t need my alarm clock here anymore, but it did make me want to frolic in the hills singing the Sound of Music. Maybe I can do that before I leave….
Like waking up with the chickens, I woke up the bells, and decided to go to the café and get my first cappuccino. My dad would be so proud of me, waking up and drinking coffee. I don’t even drink coffee, and I loved it! Now, I get the Italian courtyard view and coffee on the terrace. After the beautiful breakfast, we climbed all the way to the top of an old watchtower that used to be part of an old medieval castle. The view was absolutely breath taking. The mountains and hills(are alive with the sound of music) are absolutely a sight to behold. I’m so lucky to be on such an adventure.
Besides the sweat and tears, just kidding there were no tears, just more sweat, I was able to have a nice Italian lunch with pizza and wine. I wrapped up the day with my first Italian lesson and another three-course dinner. Only to end up at the gelato bar, which is literally the best form of ice cream on the planet.
Only 88 more days to go, till I get ice back in my drinks, cold air in my hair, and I will not be legal anymore. Stay tuned for more updates! Ciao!
Sincerely yours,
Sadie