So I've been in Florence for two weeks now and I finally found time to start my blog. I can't believe I live here. This city is so beautiful I feel stupid describing it in words. Every day I get to go into 'centro', downtown Florence and I already feel moderately competent in navigating my way through the narrow streets. Our language school, Lorenzo De Medici, is less than a block away from the Lorenzo Market and just a few blocks from the Duomo. Every time I see the Duomo I feel like I need to take a picture of it. I've been inside twice already, but every time you see it you notice something you've never seen before. My favorite view is from Piazzale Michaelangelo. It's a large square on a hill overlooking the Arno River, including the Duomo and the Ponte Vecchio. To me it's the perfect view of the city.
There is a cafe (un bar) near the school where we go for cappuccino in the morning. The men who work in the cafe (they're called bartenders or baristas - hello Starbucks) recognize us when we come in. We muster up courage to try our very best Italian and they respond in English. This week I learned how to ask for my cappuccino to-go, which has been very helpful. Believe it or not coffee is actually a bit cheaper here (or maybe I just got used to expensive coffee). At home I never got anything stronger than a flavored latte, but in the two weeks I've been in Italy I've had several cappuccinos and more espressos than I can remember. They also make something called 'caffe shakerato', which is espresso with milk and sugar shaken (shakerato). I have a feeling I will be thoroughly addicted before I leave.
