The Apartment

Firenze can almost be likened to a mixture of Switzerland and London. It has the picturesque-ness of Swiss landscapes (converted to architecture) and the uneven streets and scrunched buildings of London.

Today, we moved into our apartment building. It has tall ceilings and narrow passageways. The stairs (there is no lift/elevator) are either stone or smooth concrete. Most likely the former. And very steep, so you know you're getting a very good workout. I share my room with two other girls who are studying interiors here. We have four beds--much more comfy than the hotel accommodations. There are two desks and several table lamps. Our three closets are quite tall, one so much so, that I can barely reach the hangers. Our bathroom has sky blue tiles on the walls, toilette and bidet, pedestal sink and shower (no tub).

Down the hall to the right, you step down into the kitchen/living area. There are two blue sofas and a long dinning table. Kitchen comes complete with pots, bowls, plates, utensils, stove/oven, 2 fridges and even dishwasher.
Turn left from our room and there are two other rooms down the corridor. Both have their bathrooms outside their rooms. Each room (3 floors) has a different style and layout. There is air-conditioning and internet in the rooms. The two boys in our program have the only loft apartment room.

After settling into our rooms, we are told to not put our luggage bag on our beds. This is b/c when traveling here you can pick up insects that you don't want inhabiting your beds. So, for the first couple days, our luggage will remain in the hall. Each floor has its own floor which has a door that you lock when you leave, so others won't intrude.
Then, we headed out led by a few program directors, to our ACCENT center. However, this is not where our class will be held. The center on the 3rd floor (buildings start at floor 0), which would be considered the 4th in America.This is where we can go if we have a problem or need information. After an orientation and lunch at the Bar ( a place to get sandwiches) we were guided through the town to where our classes would be held.
We walk just pass the Duomo. We'll pass it everyday to go to class and back to our apartment.

We were shown atms (American Express is widely used here), phones, tabacchi (where to buy stamps/phone cards). There are gelato stores at just about every street corner. The streets are uneven (like a mosaic of blocks at different heights and textures), taxis and cyclists (incl. motor) drive like crazy even though everyone is walking in the street.
I cannot describe the buildings here in as much detail as is needed. There is soooo much detail and intricateness. There are some that have a different facad on each side, some with statues, and just today, I found one with little iron box turtles holding iron gating on windows.

After a short walk around the Duomo, we get to where our classes will be held. You walk in these giant wood doors with large iron handles. When you enter there is a grand iron gate, only natural light to see the path. Past the gate there's a court yard with a statue and on the left we walk up a wide stone stair case. Two grand mirrors make it look as if there is a hall that continues, but you must turn and walk up one more flight. As far as I've seen there haven't been any wood stairs. They are all of stone. All the streets, walkways; and the lower 4th of the buildings as well. (Our apartment stairs to our floors are stone as well, but once inside, the floors are made of tile -sort of a brown orange sponge color.)
After walking up stairs we enter through another large wooden door, walk through an entry desk and through someone's office to a medium sized room.
The class today was mainly just introducing us to the syllabus and what will be expected from us as far as our term project (5,000 words! due in 3 months time).

After class, my roommate and I walked around and took pictures. We walked past a botanical garden school, where I saw 4 cats stalking a pigeon.

Later, at 7pm we met to go to the super market. As luck would have it, it's just down two blocks. In order to buy fresh fruit and vegetables, note a number found on the tag tag, put the item on a weigh machine, punch in the number. You then get a print out you stick to the bag. This is what the cashier will ring. Don't even think about going to check out without it, because you cant. I'll try to get a picture of the grocery store. One more thing: Italians buy warm milk although, do have some in the cold section. All words on the products are in Italian, but the pictures do help.

After putting our groceries away, Vartuhi (1 of my roommates) and I went for a walk around town. Bought some Gelato and then went back to the apartment.