(no subject)
I'm trying to think of how to sum up my experience in Italy. I'm not really sure. I can't believe I am going to home tomorrow. In 24 hours I will be in America, on my way home. This has been an incredible experience, and while it had it's highs and lows, it is certainly something I would not have not done.
This weekend I hung out with Amber and Paula a lot. Friday night Paula and I made dinner. It was probably the worst dinner I've made while I've been here, but it's a learning experience right? Last night we watched The Holiday, and Sex and the City. I really enjoyed spending time with them this weekend.
Today I went to mass (yes, Mom, I actually went) at the Duomo. Before mass began one of the priests came up and asked Paula, Amber, and I to help out during collection. This was all said in very broken english, so Paula and I misunderstood and thought he was saying he wanted us to contribute money during collection. We were both like "I don't like that at all" and checked to make sure we had a couple of euros in our change purses. During the middle of mass he comes up to us again and pulls us away from our seats toward the side of the church and leads us to this little room. Then he hands us all baskets and tells us to walk down the rows, and go slowly, because in America we rush very fast and just pass the baskets. So I was a money collector during a mass in Italy! How crazy is that?
I came home to help with the apartment cleaning, which still has yet to be finished. At least we're finally splitting the work evenly. A few hours ago I went to get one last gelato at the place I love right by SACI, and when I walked in the boy who is always there working got my cone ready without me even having to tell him what flavors I want (I always get a 2 euro cone of coconut and pb&chocolate). I told him that this was going to be my last cone, and he asked why. I told him I'm going home tomorrow, and he asked if I've been happy with my stay in Florence. I said yes, and he handed me my cone. As I was about to pay he said, "No, don't worry." and didn't accept my money. How sweet. I will always remember that little gelato place.
It's going to be such a big change going home. Big cars, big houses, new architecture, dishwashers, fast food, free water, mom's cooking, driving. I'll be glad to sleep in my own bed. This bed here is one of the most uncomfortable beds I have ever slept in. Springs poking me in the back every night (sounds conducive to a good night's sleep, right?)
Unfortunately I think I'm getting sick. My throat is feeling funny and my sinus seem gross. I hope my ears don't hurt while I'm on the plane like they did during fall break. That would be so incredibly miserable, I don't know if I could stand it. Taking a taxi with Jackie Chang to the airport tomorrow. Tomorrow... that's such a strange concept. All semester it's been 3 1/2 months, 3 months, 2 months, etc. Now it's just tomorrow. Less than 24 hours. Less than 12 hours. Wow. My time is finally up. Will I miss Italy? I think part of me will. I'll miss the friendships I've made here, the gelato, the Christmas lights on all the streets. Will I miss the hairy crude men, the corny pickup lines, and the vespas? Not so much.
I suppose that's all for now, and that concludes my time in Italy.
Ciao,
Emily
This weekend I hung out with Amber and Paula a lot. Friday night Paula and I made dinner. It was probably the worst dinner I've made while I've been here, but it's a learning experience right? Last night we watched The Holiday, and Sex and the City. I really enjoyed spending time with them this weekend.
Today I went to mass (yes, Mom, I actually went) at the Duomo. Before mass began one of the priests came up and asked Paula, Amber, and I to help out during collection. This was all said in very broken english, so Paula and I misunderstood and thought he was saying he wanted us to contribute money during collection. We were both like "I don't like that at all" and checked to make sure we had a couple of euros in our change purses. During the middle of mass he comes up to us again and pulls us away from our seats toward the side of the church and leads us to this little room. Then he hands us all baskets and tells us to walk down the rows, and go slowly, because in America we rush very fast and just pass the baskets. So I was a money collector during a mass in Italy! How crazy is that?
I came home to help with the apartment cleaning, which still has yet to be finished. At least we're finally splitting the work evenly. A few hours ago I went to get one last gelato at the place I love right by SACI, and when I walked in the boy who is always there working got my cone ready without me even having to tell him what flavors I want (I always get a 2 euro cone of coconut and pb&chocolate). I told him that this was going to be my last cone, and he asked why. I told him I'm going home tomorrow, and he asked if I've been happy with my stay in Florence. I said yes, and he handed me my cone. As I was about to pay he said, "No, don't worry." and didn't accept my money. How sweet. I will always remember that little gelato place.
It's going to be such a big change going home. Big cars, big houses, new architecture, dishwashers, fast food, free water, mom's cooking, driving. I'll be glad to sleep in my own bed. This bed here is one of the most uncomfortable beds I have ever slept in. Springs poking me in the back every night (sounds conducive to a good night's sleep, right?)
Unfortunately I think I'm getting sick. My throat is feeling funny and my sinus seem gross. I hope my ears don't hurt while I'm on the plane like they did during fall break. That would be so incredibly miserable, I don't know if I could stand it. Taking a taxi with Jackie Chang to the airport tomorrow. Tomorrow... that's such a strange concept. All semester it's been 3 1/2 months, 3 months, 2 months, etc. Now it's just tomorrow. Less than 24 hours. Less than 12 hours. Wow. My time is finally up. Will I miss Italy? I think part of me will. I'll miss the friendships I've made here, the gelato, the Christmas lights on all the streets. Will I miss the hairy crude men, the corny pickup lines, and the vespas? Not so much.
I suppose that's all for now, and that concludes my time in Italy.
Ciao,
Emily