Just another day in Paradise.

So, Italy might not be most people's idea of Paradise, and it certaintly has its moments (first day in Venice, anyone?) but I'm starting to think it might be a close thing. I'm not going to call Italy perfect because it really isn't but it does its best. Maybe I'm just still loafing in the "honeymoon" phase of culture shock but, you know, that's okay with me. I've had plenty of moments of frustration and dashes of homesickness. I've even gotten angry a few times (a rare occurence for me) but none of these have detracted from my experience. They've often worked to enhance it by making it more real. Perfection would bore me, I think.

But while I'm on the subject of perfection... On Friday I went and saw the David. Sheer male beauty captured in stone. It boggles my mind that a human hand could have created it. The David is housed in the Accademia (just a street and a piazza away from my apartment) and the other art there is also incredible. In the hall before the David there are half completed statues by Michaelangelo and the air is permeated with the scent of marble and stone. These figures look like real human beings encased in stone, struggling to get out. But even with how interesting these statues are you are immediatly drawn to the David, dominating the far end of the hall. There is no doubt, if you are going to Florence, see the Duomo then scoot on over to the David. Do it. Or I will find you and drag you there.

Saturday was a day trip to San Gimignano, a medeival walled city not far from Florence. First a narration in pictures:

Poggibonsi, the town where we got off the train. I want to live there, just because the name is so much fun!

Stamping my bus ticket on the way to San Gimignano.

S.G. is in Chianti, known for its wines, so of course some had to be ordered with lunch. Personally, I don't like the taste of wine but I had to put it in here anyway because of its association with the trip.

World champion gelato place. Gelato, I like the taste of. More on this later.

The views from the top of San Gimignano are incredible. The picture on the right looks a little like a water color painting. Its probably from the weather, which was beautiful when we left and first got there, though cold, and quickly turned to rainy and windy and generally awful.

This is a view of San Gimignano from a "panaramic point" that we arrived at through a tiny, hole-like passageway through a wall. S.G. is famous for its medeival towers, one of which can be seen in this picture.

Our purpose in going to San Gimingnano was not to see the medieval architecture or to experience the landscape of Chianti with its rolling hills and extensive vinyards but to visit the world champion gelateria, Pluripremiata. We're so culturally sophiscated, aren't we? We ate a wonderful lunch, I had pesto (or "green sauce" as the english side of the menu said) then moved on to find our gelato. We found the spot, found the gelateria and... found a little white sign on the door that indicated it wouldn't be reopened until March for vacation and to be worked on. All four of us burst out laughing and took endless pictures of the offending door. We were a little angry despite our general hilarity and vowed to return after it opened. As time goes on I watch my weekends fill up with trips and activities, something that doesn't quite happen at home, sad to say. Near Pluripremiata was another gelateria that was open and we had consolation gelato. It was rather good, nice and creamy, but not world champion. I had pistacio and chocolate.

Despite its lack of world famous gelato San Gimignano was a lot of fun. We explored a little and found the amazing views above, among others and did some shopping. We even got some exercise in on the steep streets:

We did lunges on the street. My lunge isn't the best but I was coming out of it when the picture was taken :)



Here is Alaina standing under a random stoplight we found. A highly unneccesary object because there are no cars driving on the streets of San Giminagno and the (2) cars we did see were in a different area, driving about four miles per hour (an amazing feat for an Italian driver) and headed in a completely different direction from the light. Italy, I love you.



So, they say you discover a lot about yourself while studying abroad and I know one thing I've discovered. I might actually be able to cook! Maybe its the olive oil and the fresh ingredients but everything I've made here so far has been quite tasty. I have always seen myself as a horrible chef whose sole culinary skill was making no bake cookies. I'm not too creative or original, I mostly do lentils, rice, eggs, potatoes and the Italian staples of bread and pasta, all rather simple, but they all have turned out well! This is exciting news for me.

As usual I've written a novel masquerading as a blog. Speaking of which, without reading material, t.v. or regular access to a computer, my book is coming along nicely. Another reason to adore italy. If this one actually gets finished I know Florence will be thanked for forcing me to work on my book. But, back to the blog, please leave comments, even if its just a random hi, I want to know if this blog is a total fail or not and what things I should focus on and what I should shut up about. Please and thankyou.

All right, one last view from S.G. Do I need to keep crediting the photographer? By now we all surely know its Alaina.