taking it all in.: under the tuscan sun

If this past week is any indication of how our next four months will be, we are in for quite an experience! We have done, seen, & learned so much; it seems like we have been here for much longer than 5 days. (We look, seem, & act like it, too, obviously. Heyyy colored lips & ballet buns.)

After we turned in everything for our permits to stay, a group of us walked around & went out to lunch at a little place called Cucciolo. We've quickly found that the little stores with 2,50-3 euro paninis & pizzas are thee way to go. Some prosciutto & cheese, tomato/mozzarella, mamma mia! The accademia also has vending machines for ,40 cent cappuccino, which are delicious. Sooo we're pretty much set.

love these little lunch places

I'm clearly enjoying what Emma's saying, while she's nicely holding a knife, & Alyssa's enjoying her panini

After lunch, the five of us + Smags & Julia went on a mission the rest of the items we needed. We found a cute little store with really neat lighting fixtures, & a straightener! They also had a little french press-like contraption, so we can finally start making coffee in our apartment & Alyssa will stop talking about it! Naturally me, Alyssa, Mullen, & Caroline got separated from the other three & had walked probably about 10 miles by the time we got home. It's hard to even complain about being lost here because there is so much to see & everything is so beautiful. Plus we have no shortage of entertainment between all of us, that is for sure. We did end up with cell phones though.. Mullen basically got an iPhone & I basically got a Blackberry, so no big deal.

finally!

By the time we got back, we had to quickly pack & get to the bus station for our trip to the Toscana countryside! We happened to see Margaret & other IU people we knew in the station; it was so surreal seeing people from home here! I can't wait until everyone else we know gets here & the semester gets into full swing. We then took a bus about 30-45 minutes up into the Tuscan hills to Tenuta Il Corno, a wine & oil estate. It is considered an agriturismo because everything served is produced right on the estate. It is owned by a woman named Maria Julia, a countess who is also is the main chef, makes the wine, & wears all camo "because that's what Americans do". She taught us all about how to drink wine using sight & smell, as well. We started the four course meal with a white wine, then a chianti during the meal, & another red wine to finish. Strange that I'm finally starting to understand what kinds taste well with what food, nonetheless realize that I actually enjoy wine. Quick learner!

maria julia

Alyssa, Julie, Mullen, Caroline, & I ended up getting our own villa on the estate, something we'll probably never be able to claim again! It was so cute, even when we were locked inside of it. We stayed up late talking about funny YouTube videos & pet stories, like typical Tuscans would. Then we woke up to see the sun rise! Pictures will never do it justice, but of course I took lots, so I can try.

wish i could steal this little sea foam kitchen

our villa! it was little apartment style, we didn't have the whole thing. but it was a nice walk to & from the estate

buongiorno toscana!

so beautiful!

We had breakfast, then took a tour of the estate, learning more about the oil & wine. It was the last day of orientation, so we sat around & talked about culture shock & what we hope to get out of this experience. While it wasn't everyone's favorite part, watching Alyssa squirm every time a cat walked by was entertaining enough. At least she didn't cry though, that'd just be weird... We had a traditional Tuscan lunch of lentil soup, pasta, & about 9 pieces of bread + olive oil (so good, we even bought some), then came back to Florence. Feels good to be home! (crazy)

me, julie, caroline, smags, alyssa, & julia

walking through the wine cellar

couldn't help but think of all the people that would find this so much cooler!

how much an italian typically drinks in a lifetime (or if you drink half a liter per day)

We went out last night, & ended up at Astor..yes where the Jersey Shore often raged. Smags convinced us all to put on different lipstick, soo there's that. But it was fun! I ended up sleeping at Emma & Hannah's, & had my first Italian walk of shame. Don't think I'll be forgetting my keys again soon...