A few days later

I'm very tired, folks. All day: walking, eating, walking, walking, shopping, walking, eating. Exhausting really. Do you hate me? I would hate me, it's va bene (okay). Here's a bit of an update: I live in a 4 bedroom/ 2 bath/ kitchen-laundry combo apartment on Via Ghibellina. 7 girls, I have a single room:) There is a small enclosed terrace, the only light is from above, but the weather here is molto fabuloso (not italian) so the windows are open ALL of the time we are in the apartment. I leave my apartment door and walk two blocks to the Piazza Santa Croce where one can buy many souvenirs or food or leather goods or just sit on the steps of the Chiesa (church) di Santa Croce and enjoy the weather with Dante (he's the big statue on the steps). Watch out or he'll stare you DOWN. I mean it, he seems very powerful. My first impression of the city is that it is a huge art gallery. However, with Professore Ribar (the art prof from Belmont) here to guide our group along, one realizes very soon that the statues on the street are reproducions of the real works that are in the museums. So far I've only been to one: Museo di Opera (Museum of the Works). Michelangelo's "Pieta" is there. How magnificent. Of course, the few of us that decided to go were exhausted after a long day of walking and CLIMBING the stairs of il Campanile (lots of stairs, much like climbing that tower in Boston, but more stairs). The hike was entirely worth it! The city is more expansive than one can imagine and this is the best place to take in any view. Today was our big tour day. Here's what we saw: The Church of San Mitiano; the Baptistery near il Duomo (this is where Dante was baptised), il Campanile (the tower of il Duomo), Museo di Opera. We walked through some new parts of the city on the south of the Arno river (I live just north of the river). We begin our classes on Monday and I will begin painting as soon as I can get my supplies:) I love and miss each of you. Honestly, I wish each of you were here. Kate, you should see my tan! Ciao for now, Grazia