Dov'e Pat?

This morning was different than any other day I've ever experienced in my life. I woke up in Firenze Italia around 7:30am..in my other life it's really 1:30am! I was so thirsty and I knew a vending machine wasn't too far away. So I quietly tip toed out of my room being cautious of my roommate sleeping. It's about 10 degrees Celsius here, I'm used to it considering I live in Manhattan. So I get to the vending machine and I need 50 cents. Luckily, I have a 50 cent coin in my purse. I really wanted water but the only place to put your change in in the cappuccino machine about the water vending machine. I tried to get the water out by hitting the numbers 10 on the cappuccino vending machine. It took a little longer than normal so I hit the button that gives you your change back. Nothing happened. So then I thought, might as well get a cappuccino! Being in desperate need of water and looking all over for a coin insert on the water machines I gave it another shot. I out 50 cents in the cappuccino machine and hit 108. About 10 seconds later. A bottle comes out. The best part is that the water was SPARKLING water! I am not a fan, but I took what I could get at that point.


Afterwards, I got dressed and grabbed my free drink ticket to go to P for a croissant and Café Latte. There were a bunch of locals hanging in front, the place was busy, very lively. I ordered a chocolate croissant and had the best coffee latte EVER!!!

Now it is 9am and we began class with professoressa Isabella Berilotti. Class was good but the below freezing classroom almost gave me hypothermia. I had to leave mid-way through to get my puffy winter coat. Finally how to pronounce the word 'Centro' finally stuck in my head! I love Italian language.

Dopo classe, my roommate Emma and I headed to the supermercato and this is what we got:

Bananas
Water
Hand soap
Bath towel
Cookies

The woman at the cash register starting speaking in Italian really fast. We just said "si" and we left.

We came back to our room to quickly change and then we were off to meet Jade, Bianca, Leah, and Pat. On our way to Ponte Vecchio, Bianca & I needed to exchange our US dollars for Euros, this was easy let me tell ya!! We were informed that between the hours of 2:30-3:30 there were 2 banks near the arches that would exchange our money. Bank number 1 said "no. the bank across the street will". Bank across the street said "no tourists" and turned her back. It was semi funny considering It sounds like something I would say on a really bad day in NYC if I was a bank teller. We continue on and come across another bank. The gentleman inside tells us he doesn't exchange money but his main branch just 300 meters across the bridge will. So, were from the US, no one speaks I meters!! We get over the bridge, no bank. We walk in circles asking one local to the next. Everyone is getting annoyed we've walked about 1000 meters at this point. FINALLY, we see a cop! We ask "scusi? dov'e banco?" He points to the building directly in front of us; turns out it was a bank! ha! Mission accomplished!

It's around 3pm at this point and were all a little hungry. Majority rule 'zuppa' for lunch. We were looking for something casual not too fancy, we were saving fancy for dinner. Well the first 5 places we stopped at were fancy! We finally get to this amazing Pizzeria with a wood fire oven and it smells incredible. We all had Tuscan Minestrone except Pat who had Bread and tomato. Yummmmmmmmmm....so good!

We continue our walk throughout town. We see the duomo with a beautiful Christmas tree out front, we walk down the back streets passing all kinds of stores: la farmacia, la macelleria, la gelateria, la salumeris, la liberia. We were looking for the Ponte Vecchio but we were distracted by so many beautiful things we were lost. However, by asking a few locals, one guy actually spoke Inglese, we were given directions. One lady gave great directions she spoke so fast I was amazed. Then she said "va bene" I was in aw I could only respond "va bene"

We walked along the river and found our way to Ponte Vecchio where I saw some of the most beautiful jewelry I have ever seen!!!

Dinner time finally arrived! The time now is about 7:30. Again, we go exploring a perfect place to eat. Most restaurants are closed, unopened, or have not one person inside. The places that were open were overly priced, not the best selection of food, and were outside. Our feet and hands were numb, we really want to relax, we decide to walk back and eat someone near the Hostel Firenze.


On the way, our group was sort of scattered people are everywhere, we turn around to see Pat, she was usually a few feet behind because she would stop and take pictures. This time SHE WASN'T THERE!! Bianca, Leah, Emma and I turned back tracing every step looking for her. She was no where to be found. Analyzing the situation, we came to the conclusion that she must've hopped in a cap back to the hostel.


We continue our walk and cross back over the Ponte Vecchio. We came across this extremely cute restaurant and went inside to eat. Our waiter was too funny and cute and he made the time worth while. Most of us had a caprese salad and a pasta dish. It was great!