A few more to go!

So, with just over one week left here in Florence, I really am trying to pack in as many things into my calendar as possible. Last night was so fun!! Irma and I met up with David and Marco at Capocaccia for aperitivo. They are such nice friends and good company, and it helps that they are just so darn cute!! :O) After aperitivo, we went for a walk and took a few more drinks at a pub in the centre. A good night!

This morning I woke up excited about Nice, so I decided to find a webcam on my new city, and here it is: http://pv.viewsurf.com/?id=40. I just can't believe that, according to this site, at 10am it is already 17.9 °C in Nice!! And look at that beach!! I think I could be in that Mediterranean water as early as next month! What paradise! Yes, yes, the overuse of exclamation points in this blog entry, but I am excited, very excited!! If you take a closer look at the webcam, you can see people are wearing t-shirts and shorts, in February!

Now that has got me to thinking... I am going to have to change my blog name since I won't be a "girlinflorence" anymore. Any suggestions??

Fiesole

Strike one more thing off my list of things to do and see in and around Florence.... Fiesole! After having a nice, lengthy lunch with Fab, we decided to catch the bus to this hilltop town. Thirty minutes later we were there. We really couldn't have picked a better day, the view from the top was spectacular! The site of Roman baths and theatre, city walls, castles, it really is a quaint little town with lots to see. Fresh air, birds chirping song, flowers in bloom, a perfect place to experience spring in Italy!

Senza la Macchina Fotografica

Well, since I am without camera as of Friday night, I thought to share with you this video by Faithless. This album is fantastic, in particular, one song, "Last this Day," with Dido. A combination of a beautiful voice and a song that makes you think.

I sit here on this Sunday afternoon in Florence, better to be inside than out. Heavy rain last night leaves a dull and dreary day.

Oh No!!! x 3

Today started great. I woke up early but felt a little lazy. Instead of going to the gym, I went to get a haircut, just a trim. Instead of having my usual stylist, it was someone else. After waiting nearly 45mins just to have the trim, it was quickly all over, but unfortunately, along with it went a lot of my hair!! The stylist unfortunately cut about two inches too much. It's cute, but it's a little short for me, it will take a while to get used to it.

"Oh no!!!" #2 involved Sisley, Benetton's "bigger sister." I tried on a bunch of clothes, all on sale, including a grey cashmere/wool blend button down long-sleeve sweater, and a pair of grey wool knee shorts. For only 29,80Euro for the outfit, I couldn't go wrong. It fit like a tee and I had to have it. Unfortunately, I didn't have any money in my wallet, so I told the salesgirl I would be back after visiting the ATM. She put the clothes off to the side... va bene!! But when I returned with cash in hand, the clothes were sold to someone else. I couldn't believe it, but I guess if you snooze, you lose! Povre Kristi!!

But the last and most important "Oh no!!!" involved dropping my beloved Canon Elph SD30 on the ground and busting the lens. I've gone on the Canon website but all they can suggest is to take it in for repair. I don't quite think that's an option here in Italy, and unfortunately, with my warranty papers being in Canada, there isn't anything I can do but fix it myself with a little screwdriver (and hammer! haha), or buy a new one.

A very, very sad day indeed. But one good thing... I leave you with these wonderful chalk portraits by Japanese street painters in the centre of Florence, the exact spot where I broke my trusty sidekick.

8 hours in Bologna!

Ieri mattina, mi sono svegliata alle 8am e ho pensato a me, "Che cosa sono io che vado fare oggi a Firenze?" Ho pensato che ho solo due settimane in Italia, perchè non prendo un treno e vado a Bologna? Così che è che cosa! Ho preso il treno di 9:54am, arrivante in Bologna a 11:18am. Ho speso il giorno che visito la maggior parte dei luoghi, faccio i foto, e naturalmente, ho mangiato il bolognesi del tagliele… buono!

Una combinazione di medioevale, rinascita e monumenti artistici Baroque, questa città è molto unica per il relativo valore storico. Chilometri e chilometri dei porticos, la più vecchia università in Europa, P.za Maggiore, fontana del Nettuno, le sette chiese di Santo Stefano, degli Asinelli del Torre, chiamare alcuni.

Bologna… un capitale culturale europeo!

Up Close and Personal...

... with David!!

Today, Peggy, Fab and I decided to wait in the one hour lineup at the Galleria dell'Accademia to marvel at Michelangelo's masterpiece. Representing strength and human beauty, David is a symbol of the Florence republic. Monumentally scaled and incredibly life-like, David conveys a sense of moral power and tense energy, not only through his anatomy, but through his concentrated gaze. I managed to sneak a few shots of him, including the above. Really, quite an incredible day to finally see him.

Last night were more Carnevale parties, in the bars, and among the streets of Florence. I snapped this shot of a terribly hideous Snow White and "her" seven dwarfs...

And again, more pictures of this wonderful city, which I am sad to say, I will be leaving in 15 days!! Although certainly looking forward to the next adventure in Nice, I will miss so much all the people I have met here in Florence.

View of San Miniato al Monte, from Lungarno Delle Grazie (my street!)

Another view from Lungarno Delle Grazie.

The Duomo!

Among the horses in P.za Signoria.

Olive tree near P.za degli Uffizi.

More photos...

The elementary school a friend went to, some time ago.

Street surrounding Forte Belvedere.
The view from Ponte Alle Grazie... my bridge.
Landscape from P.za Michelangelo.

The Sights

Today I did not do too much, with it being Monday, my first day free since school ended last week. The day started with a stop in the historical centre to meet a friend for a chat, followed by a "passeggiata" along the streets of Florence, with camera and music in tow. These pictures were taken atop P.za Michelangelo around 4pm. P.za Michelangelo is renowned for its panoramic views of Florence and the Arno valley, making its terrace a popular spot with both locals and tourists.

After a good hour of taking in the scenery and plenty of photo opps, I made my way to San Miniato, one of the city's most striking examples of Florentine Romanesque architecture. This church is characterized by its bicoloured white and green marble facade. It really is breathtaking.

This evening I met with a friend for an English/Italian conversation exchange, and now, have just returned home, to plot out my adventures for tomorrow.

New Digs

Finally, a moment's peace to share a photo (or two!) of my new apartment. It is fantastic! Just 3 minutes walk from Uffizi, the Arno is right in front, a bar next door, Santa Croce aperitivo, P.za Michelangelo in the skies, and my neighbour is a movie star!!

This makes for a very happy Kristi... as shown below.

Discovery

Communicating without speaking
using uncommonly expressive eyes,
a wink, a glance, or a gaze
transmitting paragraphs of information...

Back in the Groove

So what day is it today? And uh, what year is it? Yeah, that's how I feel lately. But so happy to be back in the swing of things, starting today. School finishes this week, KLab ends in a few (ohhh so sad about this one), seems like the stars are lined up just right, time to boot out of Florence and head over to Nice. Looking forward to many things in the next few... lots of catch up with friends, still meeting lots of people, Florence as a "tourist," Carnevale parties Thursday and Saturday nights, tons and tons of English lessons, and most importantly, aperitivo every single night of the week, damn straight!!

3:45pm

I'm too shy to show you my vulnerable side
I'm too near to make it clear emotional suicide
What is this I'm thinking of? I know that
Close the latch I can't attach, I'm sure that

Here I am, I can't give you anything
Here I stand, I can't turn away
Here I am, don't want to cause you pain
Here I stand, alone and on my own again

Can't connect, I haven't slept, am I crazy?
Fall so deep and I can't sleep, I'm slipping into hazy
Want to share but it's not there, and tell me why
Laugh too loud, no tears to cry
And I really want to cry

Here I am, I can't give you anything
Here I stand, I can't turn away
Here I am, don't want to cause you pain
Here I stand, alone and on my own again

Here I am
Here I stand
On my own again

Boooo

Nobody Wants to be Lonely

...but sometimes it just happens that way.

Nizza

My Friends from Canada

Well, I thought this was cute anyways... my little Florentine buddies down by the Arno... looks like they followed me all the way from Vancouver!

My Words (Le Mie Parole)

Some of the most beautiful words in English are equally, if not more, beautiful in Italian. My favourites are:

wave - onda
shadow - ombra
soul - anima
breath - respiro
light - luce
together - insieme
sunrise - alba
sunset - tramonto

To hear the word "tramonto" is one thing, but to experience it here in Florence from Ponte Santa Trinita... stunning.

But the most magnetic words of all are the ones where two are combined into one... ascoltami, raccontarti, stanotte...