Matteo's Toy Room, I Violi, and Nice Pictures

Matteo's Toy Room


I felt this picture deserves its own section entirely. Can you believe it? Don't worry, those bottom drawers house army men, animals, race cars, play food, action figures - I think you get the idea. Matteo just may be the most entertained kid in Italy.

Fiorentina v. Parma


Pre-Fiorentina victory - don't worry Mom, I'm taking good care of your purse.


Toyota - the official sponsor of the Fiorentina soccer team. This one's for you, Dad!






Yeah Jess. Yeah Meg. I like your style. Everyone say hi to Keagen, Eric, Kendal, and Emily in the background.

Nice, France

Our first night in Nice. Wine, fading sunshine, and four excited girls.


We just couldn't help ourselves.


Oh, you know, just hangin' out on the French Rivera.


"Take her to the seaside, and she will still chase the waves."


Absolute contentment.


Everything was...


...incredibly colorful...


...and so fresh!


Beautiful lavender.




Myself and my three travel companions - Whitney, Meg, and Alex.



Aren't the colors beautiful?


God's everywhere - even Nice, France!

I Violi and Nice, France

To my darling American chums,

How's everyone doing? Splendid I hope. Last week was really jam-packed. In addition to school (I'm taking 2 classes of Italian, Art History-Antiquity to Michelangelo, Marketing, and Creative Writing-Prose), I'm trying to sort out future weekend excursions and travel plans for the semester break. I admit, it has been a bit of a challenge making school the top priority. In my defense, I am surrounded by beautiful places begging to be experienced. Don't worry though - my work is getting done!
On Wednesday night, the Fiorentina soccer team played Parma at their home stadium down the street from our house. Meg and I set out to meet friends at Il Club di Rugby, a pizza/bar Lita and Osvaldo really like. The street was closed due to stadium mayhem, so we instead stopped at a tiny tiny tiny pizzeria. Imagine a standing space at the most the size of the train cabin I'm sitting in now, jam-packed with 15 or so crazy Fiorentina fans and two American girls terrified to rush-order dinner in Italian. We got the message across, and with pizza and a beer in our hands, we squeezed through the purple mass, exited, and leaned against the wall and ate our dinner - true Florentine style.
We walked to the stadium after dinner and met up with Jess and Eric. Now usually I wouldn't buy sporting paraphernalia at all, let alone sporting paraphernalia at a kiosk right outside the stadium, but the crazy excitement was so contagious I couldn't help it - I bought a purple jersey, paying homage of course to a certain Lucca Tony, #30. The jersey was a necessity, especially because of the large TOYOTA printed in white on the front.
The cheapest tickets are 18 Euro, 14 Euro for girls, and were located in the rotund part of the stands. These seats are where all of the die-hard, purple-faced, purple-wearing, insult-hurling, flag-waving, "I-eat-sleep-and-breath-only-soccer" fans sit. The Fiorentina team is their God, and soccer is their religion. It was the most fun I've had at a sporting event. A ton of people from school were there, and it was such an experience being able to participate in a huge cultural event - I loved every minute. And I'm definitely planning on going to as many home games as possible. We (and I can say "we" seeing as I have both a Visa and an official jersey) beat Parma 1 to 0, by the way. Viva i violi!

Changing gears entirely, this weekend was quite an experience – Meg, Alex, Whitney, and I traveled to Nice, France. I was really looking forward to going to France, and when the opportunity came along, Nice sounded very, ahem, nice. Our train ride was a blast (not), but it was definitely part of the experience. We left Firenze early Friday morning at 7:30 am and arrived in Nice around 4 pm. After checking into our hotel, we freshened up a bit and set off to explore the beautiful city on the French Rivera. The apartments, buildings, and homes are painted incredible colors in every combination possible. Soft teals, rust reds, and creamy yellows compliment each other so well. Shutters frame every window, and twisted iron balconies welcome breathtaking views.
Our exploration brought us to a market where we picked up a bottle of wine, plopped down on a ledge, and dangled our feet over the Mediterranean Sea. Dinner Friday night at I Safari was wonderful.
The next day was one I don’t think I could have dreamed up if I tried. In the morning we headed to the outdoor farmer’s market and picked up fresh baguettes, dates, figs, nectarines, peaches, cheeses, and salami. After, we walked to Castel Beach – a private beach where we were given a lounge chair and lunch even, if you chose to pay a ridiculously enormous amount of money. That wasn’t in the budget for poor college kids such as ourselves, so we snuck our food in via Meg’s bulging backpack.
After settling down on four front row lounge chairs, we took in the scenery and I fell in absolute love with Nice. The beaches are covered with smooth stones and the water is an immaculate cerulean blue. Of course, as I’m sure you are aware, French beaches are topless if one wishes, and it took a minute to get the protocol down. It was really refreshing to be surrounded by a culture that appreciates and respects the human body - so refreshing in fact, that we chose to swim in the beautiful Mediterranean “bearing a bit of ourselves” as well. This was, by far, one of the most incredible experiences yet.
After a day at the beach, we climbed to a high point that provided the best views of the city (see pictures). Dinner was at L’Allegra, where I had the most amazing home-made Fettuccine pasta with basil, tomatoes, and garlic. (Vince, I’m pretty sure you would have died and gone to heaven.) A delicate rose gelato followed for desert.
We got an early start on Sunday morning, visited the outdoor market, had French bread and jam for breakfast, and walked around and took in more of the city. Oh! And you’ll never guess what I found – a personalized notepad with my name! Do you realize how long I’ve waited for something like this? Figures that I’d have to go to all the way to France to find it.
This weekend was so colorful and lively. From wine over the Rivera, swimming topless in the Mediterranean, incredible outdoor markets, a wonderful girls weekend with 3 great girls, and a personalized notepad (at last!), I’ve had one of the “times of my life” – I am sure of it.
It was especially great spending a weekend near the beach, and it reminded me of home (minus the French people). While I haven’t really felt any nuances of homesickness, I couldn’t help but think about the fam, Bella, and my comfy bed as we took the train back into Firenze on Sunday night.
M and D, I can’t wait for you to visit, and I can’t wait to show you my life here in Florence! Anyone else in the area is more than welcome to stop by as well – I’d love to hug a little bit of home!
Germany is on the agenda for next weekend – Munich to be exact. Wish me luck, as I’ve 4 days to develop a liking for bratwurst and dark German beer.

Thank you for reading about my life, and I commend your perseverance in getting through my ridiculously long blog!

<3,

Genna beeb

2nd Weekend Abroad Pictures

The bike ride began and ended here.


A peace offering.


Diego was a brilliant soccer player. Look out Lucca Tony.


Che bella, si? Just another beautiful place on the beautiful farm in Chianti.


Goodness Meg, you really should pour that into a glass.


I experienced extreme dehydration and my water bottle just wasn't cutting it. Hi Mom and Dad!


Vino


Meg (my roommate fabulousa) and I


Our guide used directions like, "You'll pass a cluster of brick columns. Keep going until you see a small chapel and a painting of Mary with a fat baby Jesus."


Ta-da! This is the beautiful church we stopped at during our ride. Check out my rad I Bike Italy waterbottle. Jealous? I bet you are.


I have to get home to shower before 6pm (the water pressure doesn't really function after then), but I'll put more pictures up tomorrow or the next day. Ciao!

2nd Weekend Abroad

Hey all!

CAUTION: For all those with an extensive vocabulary, be wary. I guarantee I will run out of adjectives as I recount what I just experienced. Today was one of the most incredible days I’ve had since arriving in Italy. I am officially an I Bike Italy champ. Let me start from the beginning:

Last night, Meg and I were planning on spending time with friends over a nice dinner near Centro. Apparently, the bus drivers had gotten together and decided to strike (we’ve been told this is a common occurrence), and as no taxis were available, we were stranded. Instead, we ended up having a 3 hour dinner at an amazing restaurant right around the corner from our house. The food and wine were incredible – it was one of the nicest meals I’ve had since arriving. Getting home later than we expected, we slept through our alarm and woke up when we were planning on leaving in order to make it to Ponte alle Grazie – the bridge where we were to meet our bike guide. In a whirl of frantic dressing/packing for our day adventure, we ran to catch the bus and finally made it, a few minutes early even! Let the recount of the fabulous day begin…

Our bike guide’s name was Per. He was from Sweden and spoke 4 languages. We were in the group with 4 other people – one woman traveling by herself, and a group of three who met in a Yoga class. Out of the 4, the one really worth mentioning is Bob, a super nerdy guy who made me laugh so hard.

We did the whole introduction thing, and then took a bus to the bike garage, located just down the street we live on, Via Gabrielle d’Annunzio. After signing our life away as far as accountability is concerned, we mounted our bikes and took off (and by off I mean a three-mile gruel entirely uphill) into the beautiful countryside of Florence – Fiesole to be exact. At one point, I realized my teeth were clenched so tight and the expression on my face was so fierce that I started laughing and almost had to stop and catch my breath. The first half of the bike ride was mostly uphill, and when we reached the tiny town about 90 minutes into our ride, all of us were pretty darn sweaty. We walked up to a small church on a hill with the most breathtaking view of Florence. I could really get a good idea where certain Piazzas were in relation to others, and where the Stadium is in relation to our home (really close!). We took about an hour break and set off again on the windy roads that wrap around the hills of Fiesole.

Hungry and eager for an energizing lunch, we were almost to the restaurant when it started raining. No, not just raining, pouring. It was the most beautiful rain I had ever seen. I was wearing a tank top and shorts and could have cared less that I was completely soaked. The rain seemed to enhance the colors of everything around us. I fell in love with Fiesole, and the amazing/incredible/beautiful/fabulous scenes on either side of the road. Eventually, we made it to Chianti, were we had a delicious lunch at a local trattoria - Chianti, bruschetta, gnocchi, tortellini, and a macchiato for a bit of a kick.

After lunch, we rode for about a mile and then stopped again at a beautiful Chianti vineyard. There, we experienced the processes of making both wine and olive oil. We also were able to taste the wine and olive-oil produced and bottled by this specific vineyard. Meg and I explored the winery, villa, and orchards surrounding. Bob hung out with us for a bit, and snapped a bit of a photo shoot (we really only wanted one picture) of us frolicking about in the olive groves. This Italian ranch dog, Diego, was seriously so good at soccer – typical Italian dog. There were kittens on the property, antique olive and wine presses, vegetable gardens, fields, meadows, and basically anything else picturesque Italian. It was incredible.

After our stop in Chianti, we headed back down. And by down, I mean completely downhill the entire way back into Firenze. It felt amazing flying down the mountain, passing castles, olive groves, and vineyards on both sides.

I was so sad that our day was over – it had been one of the most amazing days yet. I hope every single person who ever comes to Florence gets to experience this.

That night, we had a really fun dinner at Jess and Eric’s apartment near Piazza San Marco, with Shan, and their roommates Keagan and Maggie. We brought over a Chianti Reserve from the fattoria (farm) we visited during our bike ride. Jess made really good pasta, and Eric made a fab salad. Since we don’t eat with the Hardoy’s on the weekends, Friday and Saturday are the perfect nights to explore local restaurants and have dinner with friends.
All in all, I’d say this weekend was really great.

Here are possible plans in the works for this upcoming week: Fiorintina soccer game Wednesday night at the Stadium, art history on-site visit on Thursday, and Nice, France for the weekend with Meg, Alex, and Whitney. I’ll be sure to keep you posted!

All my love,

Gen

First Impression Pictures

Lilita kinda likes magnets.


This is lovely Lilita, our host mom. Creepy Meg took this picture.


This is our host dad, Osvaldo. He posed for us by "his" car.


The view from Piazza Michelangelo.


Meg and I dry our clothes on the clotheslines.


The view from our balcony. Behind those homes is Fiesole, the beautiful Tuscan countryside near Florence.

First Impressions

Ciao i miei amici!

I apologize for taking my sweet time saying hello to my friends and family back home. I've been in Italy for about two weeks now, and I can say I am well on my way to feeling settled.
Here's a bit about my first week or so in Italy. My very first initial perception of Florence? Hot. My second? Humid. And my third? Extraordinarily colorful. The following are some of my most vivid experiences thus far:

The stifling bus ride from the airport – As I sat in the very back of the bus, I clutched the luggage that wasn’t somewhere between here and Frankfurt, and simultaneously wiped the sweat off my face.
Unfamiliar familiar Santa Clara faces – Will our generic hello's back at SCU morph into sincere conversations here in Firenze? And might these relationships continue once we’ve returned from abroad?
Tiny elevators – I thought people were supposed to fit inside these.
The 1st night’s walk to the Duomo – An exhilarating jaunt to the epicenter of the city I hope to fall in love with.
Cobblestone streets – “Look at the beautiful architecture on that buil–Oof!” I’ve learned to step lightly and never wear heels.
Overwhelming orientation – The onslaught of orientation packets, pamphlets, and papers drove me to the point of exhaustion. Well that of course, and the jet lag I am still recovering from.
Colorful and balanced meals – The delightful lunches during orientation fueled my spirits: pasta, vegetables, fresh fruit, and tomatoes so incredible, they deserve their own description below.
RED tomatoes – Tossed in the salad or eaten alone, these tomatoes were so fresh and colorful, I completely forgot that both my suitcase and laptop were lost somewhere across the Atlantic.
Lilita’s Italian baccia - Lilita is our new Mamá per quattro mese (4 months!). When she came to pick Meg and I up from Syracuse, she greeted us with a slight kiss on both cheeks – double the love!
Three course dinners – While I expected Italian dinners to be lengthy and delicious, it came as quite a shock when meat, potatoes, salad, and fruit followed an entire plate of spaghetti. Mom and Dad – it might be a good idea to widen the door frames before I get home.
Breakfast with Osvaldo – On our first morning at the Hardoy residence, Osvaldo woke early in order to show us the bus we take to campus. We ate our breakfast quietly (biscotti, peach jam, and tea), due in part to three tired people unsure of what to say. For those of you familiar with The Sisterhood, this experience mirrored that of Lena and her Bapi.
The language barrier – I arrived in Firenze with two quarters of college Italian, a few select phrases, and a dictionary under my belt. All preparation aside, communicating can be difficult. The Hardoy’s speak hardly any English (I couldn’t resist), and I have yet to acquire the vocabulary for, “I’m not too fond of chocolate for breakfast,” or “my sheets are scratchy.” I do love the challenge, and speaking only Italian throughout dinner each night and during class each day has been an incredible way to learn the language.
Comfort and respect – Lita and Osvaldo are very considerate of our needs as college students spending a semester in a foreign city. Because they have two grown daughters, Meg and I like to think of ourselves as their pseudo-children. In fact, just the other night, Meg, Osvaldo, and I had an absolute blast painting our nails and doing facemasks. Syke.
Matteo - Matteo is 5 years old, grandson to Lita and Osvaldo, and quite the Italian firecracker. An entire room in the Hardoy home is dedicated to Matteo’s toys – floor to ceiling drawers accommodate cars, boats, action figures, dragons, animals, Hot Wheels, coloring do-dats, pictures, etc. Lita and Osvaldo spoil him rotten, as any Italian grandparents should. Tonight before dinner, Lita put two pairs of socks on his feet so he didn’t catch a cold.
Running with Meg – While on a run, Meg and I explored the most beautiful part of Tuscany – the country! We ran up into the hills of Fiesole, the charming countryside of Florence. A picturesque church and recreational soccer (or calcio) fields are local places worth re-visiting.
Our Sunday Immersion –Lita and Osvaldo drove us around town so that we might become better acquainted with the city. We took in the Florence skyline at the Piazza Michelangelo. Lita purchased a magnet to add to her collection (the refrigerator is completely covered), and together we shared a laugh over the modest David souvenirs. They drove us up into Fiesole where we visited with their daughter Julietta, mother to Matteo. Periodically, we stopped along the way and snapped pictures of the view from the hills. Che bellisima!

My first impressions are far from over, as I seem to continually experience new bits and pieces of the Italian culture: how to safely cross streets, line-dry laundry from the balcony, get on and off the bus, share living space with mosquitoes, avoid gelaterias near the Duomo, and plan my days around the wide-spread siesta. I do not plan to solidify any of my impressions. And in not doing so, I look forward to authentically experiencing Firenze, my beautiful home for four months!

I miss you all a bucket load.

Infinite x's and o's,
Genevieve