Venice!!!

Last Friday, I went to Venice with my Renaissance art class. It was one of the most magical places I've seen. Though it was raining and flooded, it was still so breathtaking. I want to move there! Bellissima!

St. Mark's Basilica was littered with golden mosaics, ranging from Byzantine to high Renaissance. There was a bronze equestrian group looted from the hippodrome in Constantinople during the crusades. Meraviglioso! Unfortunately, later looters scraped the gilding off of the torsos of the horses. Still amazing though.

We were also lucky enough to see the Pala D'Oro. It's a huge altarpiece, composed of different panels made at different times. It's rarely on view, but I'm eternally greatful that I got to see it! No picture will do it justice though. It is HUGE and covered in gold, cloisonée enamel, rubies, and sapphires.

We had some hot sangria (who thought that'd be good?) and it was delizioso. We walked around the city and looked at masterpieces by Titian, Donatello, and my new favorite Tintoretto. The Scuola Grande di San Rocco was so beautiful. The whole grand hall was covered in dark painting, typical of the Tintoretto style. It was so ominous but at the same time luxurious.

Interview with Italian class

Monday, my Italian class met in Piazza Delle Cure to take pictures and interview real live Florentines. First we interviewed some random man who sold shoes and pants strewn across tables but he seemed disinterested, so we moved on. I, then, interviewed a fruit vendor, and he was really helpful.

I went to buy an orange, but the man gave me one for free. So juicy! The oranges here are amazing! Some of the best I've ever had.

Then Massimo took us to get gelato!

First excursion out of Firenze!

Today, I hopped on the train to Viareggio, a small beach town north of Florence, to watch their Carnevale parade. The floats were amazing and the town was really quaint. And I had one of the best kebabs I've ever had.

Carnevale is the Halloween of Italy. Everyone was wearing ridiculous costumes, and I felt out of place with only a Venetian mask (though I did feel like one of the singers in the Knife). I searched for a while for the right mask, because I thought some of them were a little tacky. I found a plain black leather one that looked pretty classic and a little creepy. I had to have it. It was a little more expensive, but I'll always have it as a souvenir. And I can use it to decorate my apartment next semester!

Kids were spraying silly string and throwing confetti everywhere. Hours later, I still have some in my hair.

Photos thanks to Jasmine, via Facebook.

Michelangelo's David

I finally ventured to the Accademia Gallery this weekend. I just took a quick walk through, mainly to see the David. It has always been one of my favorite statues, and seeing it in person only made me appreciate it more. It was absolutely breathtaking.

Il Papiro

My TA Carolyn from last semester told me about this amazing stationary store called Il Papiro. Jasmine and I stumbled by it on our walk home and decided to go in. The owner was there and showed us how to make marbled paper and told us all about the history of marbled paper. One of the king louis wanted to find a faster way to make paper and they found it in Turkey. It is one of the coolest things to watch.

I ended up buying these really great bookmarks based off of an 18th cent. model. Nine euro was a little much for some bookmarks, but I made friends with the owner and he gave me a discount card. I have no doubt that I will be buying more from this store, perhaps even gifts for other people.

They also have a store in New York! So I'll be visiting that location when I get back. I recommend to everyone that you check it out.

CARNIVALE!

So I was going to go to Venice for Carnivale, which is pretty much the New Orleans Mardi Gras of Italy, but I was too disorganized and now I don't have anywhere to stay. So it looks like I'll be staying in Firenze for the weekend. Emma and I did see some people dressed up and rocking out to some music by the Uffizi in Piazza della Signoria. One of them forced Emma to take a picture with him. Photocred to me!

I caved in

Ok I know that some of you will question my judgement in this endeavor, but I think it will be a good way to actually document my travels abroad. I've been here for about 3 weeks and it feels like it's been so much longer. So I will try to adequately summarize what I have been up to:

I live in Via Maffia 19 on the south side of the Arno. It's a 45 minute walk to class but it's worth it. My side of the river is way more charming. The apartments around the Duomo are plagued by tourists and gypsies.

Of course, the Duomo is beautiful and I can't believe that I walk by it every day.

I've been to the Uffizi twice now and was ecstatic to see the Doryphoros and the Laocoön group, two of my favorite sculptures.

And now the nightlife. So far, my favorite place has been this one lounge-type bar that is full of bookshelves. A lot of the books had Egon Schiele portraits on the front, but they were in Italian so I couldn't read them. It is a wonderful bar, but for some reason, no one knows what it's called. The name is not posted anywhere.

The food is great. I've been cooking more than I did in New York, and I'm really starting to enjoy it. Also, the other day, Emma and I were at the leather market and all these Italians were getting these sandwiches from this cart, so we figured we'd get one too. They were MERAVIGLIOSO! Best thing I've eaten in Italy yet. I thought they were pork, but when I googled it I found out that its the fourth stomach of a cow. My Italian professor was very impressed when I told him I loved my panino con lampredotto.

Anyways, those are just some highlights. I'll keep everyone updated. Ciao a tutti!