When in Rome.....and Florence....

We arrived in Rome just in time literally they said 12:30 to 7, we were there at 7, to meet up with our program at the hotel and find out where we were living in Florence and what classes we were taking. Cooking classes, wine tasting, pizza making classes, dinner with Italians, and an Italian ballet were some of the activities we signed up for also during orientation which are throughout the month. After and large Italian buffet (yum) and a game of Phase 10, or what some people called Italian Uno, with another fellow Aggie it was off to bed in Roma. At orientation the next day we learned more about our program and then hopped on a bus to Florence. The drive on the way was beautiful and filled with hills, trees, and lots of gorgeous tuscan houses and rooftops scattered throughout. We finally started to realize, we were indeed in Italy. WHOOP!! After settling into our apartment and carrying all the luggage up the stairs....that was fun, we decided to explore Florence a little and eat our first Florentine meal on the river. We quickly learned that Italians have a lot of different eating happens then the U.S. including wine and taking there time. hahaha So after a 3 hour meal complete with wine, two courses, coffee, and dessert we added another reason to why we love Florence!! Today we went on a guided tour to the Galleria dell' Accademia and the Galleria delgli Uffizi with one of the art history professors at our school. We got to lots of art, but the highlights were the David sculpture by Michaelangelo and famous paintings like The Birth of Venus. After the tour and a bite to eat at a pizzeria we explored and shopped around the river scoping out what was there and how cheap we could get it, mentally storing things we needed before we left. haha Back to the books tomorrow for us. But hopefully it won't be too bad...I mean its Florence right....hahaha! Photography and Style and Culture for Brittni and Heather, Italian and Style and Culture of Italy for Stephanie, and Drawing and Style and Culture of Italy for Hannah. Goodnight from Firenze!! We will keep you posted on how it goes! Goodnight from Firenze, CIAO!!