Everyday I fall more in love

  Before I forget, Please comment or email me your address if you want a postcard because I forgot to get addresses before I left!!

I knew that I would love Italy but I didn't think that I would fall so quickly. I feel more and more attached to Siena everyday and as excited as I am for Florence, I'm also sad at the thought of leaving here. EVERYONE I have met has been nice and patient with our atrocious Italian. I like my Italian teacher, I have fun in Italian class (although it is very long), and I've enjoyed all the activities our program planned. So far, I've gone to a cooking class where we made gnocchi, pici (a type of pasta), incredible tomato and bread soup, and tiramasu. I also did a wine tasting where we had Chianti wine and then went to a sculpture garden in Chianti on a tour led by the owner. After the tour, we went to his gorgeous house/art gallery where we were served wine, cheese, bread, olives, and meats. Yesterday I slept in for the first time since being abroad and then went to San Gimingiano which is even smaller than Siena with incredible architecture. We had a tour and free gelato. This morning, I went on an Art tour of Siena where we saw the Duomo and walked all around the city. Our guide was incredibly informative. Apparently Siena consists of 17 districts and everyone's allegiance is to their district. Each district is an animal which is why there are so many animal statues around. They have rivalries and the horse races in June and August here are crazy because whichever district wins gets the most prestige (it doesn't matter who the jockey is). The jockey is only picked a few days before and he has bodyguards around the clock to make sure that another district doesn't pay him to lose. The craziest thing is that they ride bareback! There is so much symbolism and history in every part of this city. I absolutely love it. After that, Kately and I climbed the Duomo for a fantastic view. I got my first pair of shoes today too, they are brown booties that were only 20 Euro!
  Also, I found out more information about my homestay family. I'll be living in the center of Florence with a middle-aged couple who have a small garden in the back. I have my own bedroom, bathroom, and tiny kitchen! The woman teaches Anthropology to American students and her fiancee is a computer technician. I'm really glad that I got a homestay and hope that I don't get tempted to speak in English to them since I know they would understand it.
 I don't think I know how to post pictures on this but I have posted a few on facebook so look there! I have lots of pictures already but uploading them is a slow and tedious process so I'm going to be selective about what I put up there.

Spectacular Siena

 I'm wondering how people are actually reading this blog. I saw Julie & Julia on the plane ride over and it's made me view blogs in a different light. Anyway, I can't believe I arrived in Siena only yesterday, it feels like it's been much longer. Last night, I went out with a bunch of people and it was great to see so many locals out on the street since it was Saturday night. My group couldn't find a place to dance, so were just hanging out at the bar but apparently there are discotecas out there.
 This morning we had breakfast in the hotel and then had an orientation where we did paperwork and got more information about orientation and where we are going to living. I found out that I am in a homestay (one of eight out of 165 students) but I don't know anything about the family (just that I'm by myself). Apparently, all the homestays have worked with AIFS for years and if any student has a complaint they stop working with that family.
 Siena is gorgeous. It is a walled city with architecture from Medieval times and pure mountain air. When we arrived yesterday, it was gorgeous and sunny but of course it was rainy today.
 I've been meeting a LOT of people but it's hard to keep track of names and where people are from etc. Some of them (mostly from Quinnepea in New York) came in huge groups, request to room together, and only hang out with each other but they seem pretty obnoxious anyways so I'm not too upset about it. They seem like they just want to party in Europe, not experience the culture which is partly why I'm glad I have a homestay. Most people here never took an Italian class and even though mine is atrocious it's really my goal to improve it. I know that I'll at least speak at home. I also don't want to be an obnoxious American and some people on my trip seem that way so in that respect I'm glad there are more people to choose from because I've already meet some people that seem really cool
 Internet here is pretty slow and expensive so if I don't update as often as I'd like, that's why.

London for a day

  I arrived at Heathrow yesterday 10:15 a.m. local time. It was a pretty impressive airport. Of course, I was the last one to arrive for my airport group so a bunch of people were waiting around for me. I haven't seen the sun since I've gotten to London. Everyone was very jet lagged yesterday so not too much happened other than eating lunch.
 Today we woke up around 7:30 for breakfast and then got on a tour bus for a three hour tour of London. We went to Westminster Abbey, saw the Tower Bridge, the financial district, Buckingham Palace, etc.
 Siena tomorrow. I'm super excited for Italy. I'm not excited to meet at 5:15 a.m. for my flight though.