Day 6- Should I continue numbering days

Today was a slow rainy day...  and the fact that I had to number today made it feel even slower.

And i realize that although today may seem too slow, overall, slower is better then faster. So I will continue to number the days to slow them down.


Side note:  Grandma Katz: I made your dressing for our salad at dinner tonight, the guys lovedd it. Major hit.  I wish I could remember more recipes.


  I did prove the extreme safety of the city of Florence.

A and E are where I live, and out towards B C and D are past the city limits. I walked generally in the direction you see on the map a mi solo. I did travel in the general direction but took mostly side streets.  The darker the better.   The walk was made between 9pm and 1am.  I had no troubles, and people were very nice.  Bono cere.

Florence is safe and beautful.

Day 5- He's Just A Dude

Last night was a late night.  Some wine at dinner, a few beers at an Irish Pub, then we strolled the streets for about 3 hours "looking for pizza." I qoute it because although we continuously said let's find pizza, I doubt our true intentions to find it.  We spent some time admiring the statues of great men at the near by Piazzale degli Uffize.  Amazing statues of amazing men carved hundreds of years ago.

When I first look, it seems like my first reaction is to idolize them. I see their faces and it's like, oh these were amazing, talented, perfect people.  And then, I like to realize that they weren't, and I try to see into their reality.  The easiest way for me to do that is to picture who they were as teenagers (my age), 19 years old and before anyone knew them.  And It's like, oh this guy, eric... or in their case... here comes leonardo.  

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Macchiavelli01.jpg

This is a picture of the statue of Niccolo Machiavelli from the Uffize.  Look at it. Take time to imagine him at your age, doing something that you've done recently, seriously.  Then look at him again, try to understand his reality, and see him as just the man he was. 

It could have been you. And I get chills when I realize it could be me.  If I was born just a fraction of time ago, because sculpting like this is a lost art and no one will be making statues out of us.  Unless we're like..... reallyyy good.  He's just a dude.

We did end up finding pizza.

Day 4- The Tour

Now that I am settled into my place, you will receive a tour of my situation. The video is approximately 4 minutes long and not mandatory.

Sidenote: To everyone that has left a comment, I would like to return comment, but I have not yet found a way to do so. But I have read them all, thank you.  Mom, don't run too fast on your way home.  Aunt Jo and Lauren, approximately 56, which in italian years is about 78.  Uncle Marty, I dont think it's sad.  Dad Katz, Buon Giorno.

Day 3- Blending In

A major goal of my time is here is to eventually blend into the public like I'm Firenzen, or European depending on where I am.  So today what that meant, was a haircut...

And some grocery shopping....

And Some Home Italian Cooking... (I guess it's Italian because I'm in Italy using Italian Ingredients)

Side Note: Today at orientation they told us that some building require codes to get into.  This is a Lorenzo De Medici secret, so I can not tell anyone.  It is a very difficult combination near impossible to crack. Since you are all in America I will tell you the combination.

Ready...

Passcode: (TO ALL LDM ACADEMIC BUILDINGS) 1-1-1-1-1

Yep...

Day 2- Arrival in Florence

Today was all about first impressions.

I had margherita piazza for lunch.  When people visit foreign countries, and by people I mean Americans. They say they drive like maniacs over there.  But I disagree.  I think they're excellent drivers.  They come within inches of moving pedestrians and bikers without even flinching.  And the parking spots they manage to get into.  I think maniacs would be a lot less calculated and cause many more accidents.

I cracked my Ipod Touch Screen within 10 minutes of arriving in Florence.

I had an authentic Firenzen dinner.  First meal, gnochhi, Second meal: Duck, Pork, Chicken, Third Meal: White beans with creamy tomato sauce. Paired with a nice vino rossa.

Here's the big news.......... I stopped my first attempted pick pocketer! That  d-bag got all reachy up in my area and I totally slapped his hand and spin moved.  Unfortunately the old lady behind wasn't quite as agile and fell prey to the vengeful napper.
Score:
Josh: 1
Nappers: 0
Old Lady: Not getting any younger

Day 1- Flight To Frankfurt Germany

On the flight to Philadelphia, I had an empty seat next to me.. On the flight to Frankfurt, I had a row of 4 leather seats to myself! I slept like a baby who had been drugged with Diphenhydramine.  There were more than a few good movies playing and I didn't watch any of them.

At dinner time the flight attendant said chicken or pasta, I said can I have both?

She told me she'd give me one, and if there was some left-over she'd come back.

So I picked chicken...it was horrible...but she came back... and said would you like more...and I said yes!..

She said, "Well all I have is chicken."

Again I sat by myself on my flight to Florence, which was diverted to Bologna due to fog. 2 hour bus ride back to Florence......on which no one sat next to me.

Day 0: Last day in my bed

Today is monday January 24th. Tomorrow I leave for the exciting Philadelphia!  Unfortunately from there I must continue on unto Frankfurt then Florence.  But boy I am excited for Philly.

It's almost here.