Calm Before the Storm(s)

Ciao tutti!!

I am writing on Sunday night, and have just realized that perhaps the two busiest (and probably two of the most incredible) weeks of my recent memory are upon me. Within the next 9 days I will have learned, written, and throughly dissected at least 8 pages worth of knowledge about the artist Tintoretto, created two presentations on my boy Leonardo's work on his St. Jerome and Lady with an Ermine, respectively and then presented my work on these pictures to one of the foremost experts on Leonardo. In addition I will hopefully learn enough Italian to master both a written midterm and a spoken conversation. All the while attempting to contain my excitement at my lovely mother's arrival here a week from Wednesday. :)

In light of these events I will not be writing long updates for the next week or so but rather probably spurts of rantings and emotional outbursts expressed in short and possibly wildly italizied babbling. For these I apologize in advance, and hope you will still enjoy my madness.

I had a relaxing weekend, and it was nice to not plan anything big, though I did spend the night in Rome on Saturday to see my friend from home, Claire. It was such a lovely day and I spent most of it reading Dante's Inferno (which has such a higher level of emotional tangibility when read in Italy than when read in a classroom in Piedmont, CA). I am down to the very lowest parts of Hell with those silly seducers, fake flatterers, envious enemies, and Cain-like killers. I must add that truth be told it all makes me rather glad I was born a Jew and only have to worry about guilt in this life instead of eternal agony in the next.

ANYWAY, on a slightly lighter note, I am looking forward to a trip to Milan this weekend with my aforementioned Leonardo class, and I think it should be a very memorable trip as the last, and only time I was in Milan, my backpack was stolen along with my walkman and its tape of La Bouche, and my ever so slightly famous collection of postcards that included the sub-category of Cats and Bunnies (if this reference is lost on you, please consult my brother, he would be more than happy to fill you in, if you can not reach him by phone, please do not worry he promised he would charge it in the next month or so).

With that very unsubtle hint at my brother to call me before its time for me to come home, I must bid arrivederci and head back to my books and bed.

All my love, hope to hear from you soon.
Un Ragazza in Europa

In Between Classes

Ciao!!

I am running between classes, but I wanted to check in and talk about my awesome weekend that involved incredible food, lots of sleep (very needed) and a most beautiful city. I spent Saturday in Bologna and was exposed to food and wine that has only ever appeared to me in dreams.

My friend and I went, and dedicated the day to shopping and eating as we are a little worn out on the art tourism at the moment. It was a clear, slightly chilly day and we spent it walking around the university area of the city around buildings that contained huge accomplishments in research and invention like Marconi's telegraph and such. After wandering around, and spending much time admiring the "Due Torri" or Two Towers that figure so promiently in Dante's Inferno on either side of the Gates of Hell, we doubled back and sat in the Piazza San Petriano between the Church and the Palazzo Communale that houses the Fountain of Neptune by Giambologna. It was so fun to watch the people prepare for their Festival of San Petriano, and we were happy to enjoy the sun and delicious wine. After much sitting and lots of looking we headed to dinner and what I now term as the GREATEST RESTAURANT I HAVE EVER BEEN TO.

It is called Di Caesari, and it is owned by an Italian family that also owns its own vineyard and provides the restaurant with its incredible vino that is made right in Bologna and the Emilio-Romagna region. I had a tortelloni in butter and sage sauce that rivals any dish I have ever consumed. It was the perfect blend of fresh pasta, fabulous ricotta, and the most subtle sauce that it seemed to be a part of the pasta. A more simple and yet delicious meal has not been eaten.

Well that's my news for now, the upcoming week is a busy one with Midterms coming soon I have papers, outlines and presentations in my future.

Love you all, and thanks so much for the positive feedback on this endeavor!

a piu tardi!
That Girl in Europe

First Official Post

Hi Everyone!!

I am setting up this blog because I have attempted to send an email to my fantastic extended group of family/friends twice and my computer always losses my drafts so I figure if I can do this it would be easier and this way I can attach a ton of pictures!! Hope all is well with all of you! You can not know how much I miss everyone. Although I am having an incredible time, there really is no place like home and the people there!!

Florence is absolutely incredible, and everything is soooo different here but in such an extraordinary way that challenges and amazes me. School has been going really well, and I am loving my host family. My host mom is Daniela, and she lives with her husband/boyfriend... the language barrier on the first day keeps me from knowing their actual relationship but whatever it is they are both very sweet. Daniela speaks fluent English and Noni (her partner) is currently learning English and uses any opportunity to practice, so while I ask very stilted questions in Italian, he answers in English making for some hilarious moments of confusion. My roommate is named Courtney and she is from New Orleans, and don't worry her family was not harmed in the last storm!!

I have met some awesome people here! The one I have become closest with is the girl I actually sat next to on the flight over from California! Her name is Michelle (quick stats: from Oregon, goes to USC) and if you look at any of my travel pictures you can tell we are slightly attached at the hip. Last weekend we went to Lucca, which was the most beautiful picturesque Italian town that is still completely surrounded by the medieval fortress walls. The trip was incredible, and I even braved my fear of heights and climbed a tall tower with very insubstantial stairs 10 stories up! We are planning on heading to Bologna this weekend, so I am suitably excited about that!

This is getting a bit long, but.... well its been over a month since any of you had to listen to me rabble so maybe you are due ;) I am taking four classes, including beginning Italian. My two art history classes are so interesting. One is an advanced seminar solely on Leonardo with Rab Hatfield who is one of the foremost opinions on the artist, and the other class is a lecture on the High Renaissance and Mannerist Periods with an emphasis on the creation of artistic identities and the way that art shaped the political propaganda of the time in Florence and beyond. Obviously I am in heaven!! My last class is one I picked on a whim when I decided that I needed to laugh just a little bit more. It's called Comedy in Italy Through the Ages from Renaissance on. So far we have read plays by Plautus, Boccaccio, Machiavelli (yes he was also a playwright, something I didn't know!!) and Dario Fo. I never knew much about Italian comedy but so far I just can't believe how much I am enjoying it.

Phew!! If you are still reading I applaud you and promise the next installations will be far less exhaustive! I hope you are all doing really well and just in case you happen to be in Europe soon or just want to talk to me my Italian number is +39 320 8008958 and I can actually still be reached by my US number too.

Please let me know how you are and I hope to hear from everyone soon!!

From Florence With Love,
That Girl in Europe