A Little Bit about Florence
Trip Start
Jan 21, 2005
1
6
16
Trip End
Aug 20, 2005
Milano,
Italy
Tuesday, February 15, 2005
Florence is still the most beautiful city I have seen in Italy. The city is filled with beautiful cathedrals, famous art galleries and museums, and well known sites. Every day I walk pass famous works of architecture and my only concern is to not get hit by a bus.
The food in Florence is amazing and that's not a good thing. Carbs are king in Italy and every corner has a delicious bakery or pizzeria and the prices are too good to pass up. I usually get a sandwich, slice of pizza or some pasta during the day
Heidi, Autumn, and Me
. The worst part is that wine is so cheap and amazing that I usually prefer it over water. I feel like I am expanding to an outrageous size and I should probably start considering the vegetables and cheeses Italy has to offer. Either that or start investing in mu mus.Despite what some may think, I do take classes while I am here. I take a four credit Italian course which teaches me very useful information like how to pick up women at a bar or complain about the music at a night club. This week we will learn how to order wine and describe how to mix a long island ice tea to a bartender. Another class I am taking is the History of Prostitution. This class is actually a very well presented women's study class that discusses goddess worship and ritualistic sex before Christianity. Although I find this class fascinating, I was hoping to find ways to introduce "an around the world" into my everyday academic vocabulary. I am also taking an art history course and a film appreciation course. My art history class (the History of Rennaisance Art) should be renamed to something more fitting like "Sculptures of Naked Men and How they Help Society." We have already seen every famous artist's version of David and discussed the differences in his muscular detail. My film class (The Venice Film Festival) shows movies that have one prestigious awards (in Italian) and discusses the techniques.
The Group at Faces
I love this class, but every movie uses the worst case scenario as an ending and we all leave feeling pretty awful. I love all of my classes and I really enjoy the time I spend in them and what I learn.And yes, I did manage to find a Jewish class to take. My favorite class here is the "Jewish Experience in Tuscany" which talks about Jewish existence in Italy and how many cities have expelled us. It is taught by an eccentric Jewish historian who takes many breaks and ends class early so she can have a cigarette.
But wait, I do more than just eat and take classes in Florence. And I also have more than just the same four people you see in my travels. Florence has an amazing night life and there is always something to do each night. I try to cut down on partying so I can save money and calories for traveling. But I usually manage to get out at least once or twice during the four days I am here each week. There is a bar called "Faces" that has become the WORST MONDAY NIGHT PLACE EVER. Fifteen euros at the door will buy you an all can drink night at the bar. All you can drink is a very dangerous idea for a bar. Everyone wants there money's worth and by about 1 am people are falling all over the place and trying their hardest to get home. The worst part is that most people can't even remember after the third drink. Don't worry, I stay safe and healthy. I just don't understand why we all keep going back.
I hope this paints a pretty nice picture of Florence for you all. If not, just add a sculpture of a naked man and ask yourself how it helps society.
I love and miss you all.
Brian
