Cenci and Cappuccinos

Today, after buying rice pudding instead of Greek yogurt for lunch (my Italian isn’t very good yet) I headed to the city center because my history class was meeting at a café! I love being able to take learning outside the classroom and go on site visits. It’s so much more fun this way!

We went to a café called the red jacket. My professor informed us that many Italian government officials met in the back room of this very café when discussing the need for a leader of their country back in the 1860s. After a short lecture, our professor encouraged us to talk and get to know other people in our class, for we are a community just as the newly unified Italy was a community. We all enjoyed a free drink at the café while talking amongst ourselves for the next hour. I’ll take a free cappuccino any day!

Upon returning home after classes I headed out for a run. I have really been enjoying my runs this week for not only do they feel great after all the Italian food I have been eating, but they give me time alone with my thoughts as I explore my new environment.

I came home just in time for dinner. Tonight Ali’s friend from school, Julie, was visiting from London where she is studying abroad. My host parents were happy to invite her over for dinner. On tonight’s menu was pumpkin ravioli, salmon, salad, and fresh tomatoes. For dessert, Cristina made homemade cookies called “cenci” which are fried dough sprinkled with powdered sugar. They are very similar to the Croatian dessert I have had before. These were served with a dessert wine that is meant for dipping the cookies. Although I was not a huge fan of the very strong wine, the cookies slowly disappeared as Ali, Julie and I sat around the table.

Markets > Museums

Yesterday, Wednesday January 25, was another adventurous day in Florence. First of all, I decided to drop my drawing class. I ended up not enjoying it as much as I had hoped, and didn’t need it for my curriculum. At school, I always pack my schedule to the fullest taking the most credits possible. I do this to get my money’s worth out of the tuition, increase my academic rigor and enroll in classes I find interesting and are not solely necessary for my major. But I’ve come to realize this semester is different, especially academically speaking. For the majority of the learning is not in the classroom, but rather through our new environment of Italy. I am learning to adapt to a different culture, speak a different language, and coordinate travel – which I have learned takes as much time as a class itself! Anyway, I am now enrolled in the lowest possible credits in order to allow time to experience the city, travel, learn the language, and spend time with my host family.

After deciding to drop this class, my Mondays and Wednesday are completely free after 11:00am! Luckily, Tiffany, a friend of mine has the same schedule, which leaves plenty of time to embark on new Florentine adventures together! Today we planned to go to the Galleria Uffizi where famous paintings are held such as the Primavera and The Birth of Venus by Botticelli, The Annunciation by Leonardo Da Vini, and The Ognissanti Madonna by Giotto, along with many others.



Veiw from the Uffizi window!

Tiffany and I, not being art history or museum buffs in the least bit, looked around the museum a bit when we realize we have no idea which paintings are famous or what we are looking at. At one point we jumped on an English speaking tour of students in hopes of finding out some information. We learned about a few paintings before getting weird looks from the students on the tour, realizing we weren’t in their program. Luckily my roommate (an art history major and intern of the Uffizi) texted me the must see paintings, and we happily took her suggestions.

After having enough of the museum, Tiffany and I headed out to the San Lorenzo market in search of some lunch. The market was awesome! I’m pretty sure we spent more time here than at the Uffizi – ok by me. There were many stands filled with fresh produce, cheese, pastries, meat, olive oils, vinegars or dried fruit. So much to explore! After tasting some samples of cheese and balsamic vinegar, Tiffany and I headed to the dried fruit stand. I had to try a one of each! I got raisins, pears, peaches, pineapple, melon, coconut, mandarin oranges, cherries, and a fig. Delish!

 

After a fun day in the center, we walked back enjoying our newly purchased dried fruit. Upon arriving home I set out on a run, finding a route around the stadium I really enjoy. Tonight for dinner, Ali and I were invited over to Rita’s, a friend of Christina’s who also hosts students. It was fun to have a different Italian mother cook for us and meet the other students, but there was so much food! To start we had pasta with spinach and cheese. Then four different entrees were brought out including artichokes, a frittata with tomato sauce, a potato dish with olives, and a cannellini bean dish that apparently was very native to Florence. I loved the artichokes and the beans were my favorite! For dessert Rita brought out warm stewed fruit including apples, raisins, and prunes. All was delicious, but it was so much food! Rita kept telling us to eat more, and to finish it all because it would make her happy. I ended the night with a huge stomach ache after too much food. At least it was delicious.

Raviolis

Over breakfast this morning, our host mother asked Ali and I if we would like to learn how to make ravioli later in the day. Of course we were immediately excited. I was not going to be late for this lesson!

When we arrived home this evening, Cristina had everything ready to go. She started by rolling out the pasta dough really thin by using a electric pasta rolling machine. She then laid out the sheets for us, and showed us how to put little dollops of filling onto the sheets of pasta, fold the pasta over the filling and seal up the little pouches by pressing lightly on the dough. As she rolled the pasta sheets, Ali and I made the raviolis, cutting them with what looked like a mini pizza cutter.

Alas the raviolis were done and I was counting down the minutes to dinner. Cristina cooked the spinach and ricotta filled raviolis in a light butter and sage sauce and grated fresh parmesan cheese on top once she had put them on our plates. They were so good and fresh that they just might have been the best raviolis I’ve ever had! And I helped make them! To follow the pasta we had cooked spinach and Brussels sprouts – two of my favorite vegetables. As we finished our meals Cristina offered us gelato cones. As good as they sounded, I was way too full and had to decline. There will always be other times for gelato. Cooking lesson number two with Cristina was a great success!

Clean Sheets

It was to school for me on Monday. After a long day of classes and homework, I arrived home to find fresh, clean sheets on my bed! After being used to doing all my shores on my own while I’m at school it so nice to be taken care of by my host family. My host mother does the laundry for us, prepares delicious meals every night, doesn’t let us help with the dishes, and even gives us clean sheets after only being here a week. What a life!

Ali and I share a room here in the Brandigi home, and also share a bathroom. The living arrangements are great, as Ali and I get along very well and enjoy each others company. We have plenty of closet space, a small desk, and each have a twin bed. I must say my bed it so comfortable! Although the house is sometimes cold, my comforter keeps me at the perfect temperature every night.

       

After coming home to a clean room, I set out on a run around the nearby soccer stadium. It was lovely as many people were out for a run, or on their bikes. Soon after I returned dinner was served. Tonight started with one of my favorites, minestrone soup. This version had collard greens, beans, and bread right in the soup. We were then served sautéed fish and tomato slices with balsamic vinegar and olive oil. The meal was fresh, delicious and packed with vegetables just how I like it. We all finished the tiramisu for dessert.