After a very quick lunch break, we met up with Andrea at the school where we continued on our way to a tour of local restaurants! We started off by going to the local market where we had a basalmic and oil tasting, and then went on our way to the next place, passing by a Trippa stand along the way. After a little convincing, the group got me to eat some and I practically gagged as the rubbery, slimy stomach lining was being chewed in my mouth. Not eating that again! From there we went to a couple other restaurants, one which we went back to later that night (Aqua Al 2), which had plates from famous people all around who signed them and placed them on their walls. One being HSM though I'm pretty sure it was the Italian tour group! We finished off by going to a gelato stand and after a hot day, the majority of us got granita, a slushy drink. Mine was Melone, compliments of Apicius! The experience made us all realize the work enviornment Italians deal with and we were all surprised when we saw how tiny the kitchens were which they may need to serve 100s of guests.
A reception for all students took place that evening and after finding the Ganzo restaurant, which is where we will be having our internship, we enjoyed nice company and good food! Afterwards, most of the WSU group and one of the California girls and Chef, went to a Scottish pub, where we enjoyed a nice evening of chatting and getting to know one another! We walked to town for most the night and when the rain started, none of us had umbrellas except Chef!
The night was an interesting one and the people we would ran into gave us a laugh! It was a very relaxing, enjoyable evening and I know more are to come!
The next day, saturday the 30th, most the group took a day trip to Pisa followed by the Vereggio Beach! After missing the first train due to not getting our tickets stamped in time, we patiently waited for the next one, which was to leave in 20 minutes. Once arriving, we found a pizzaria and enjoyed pizza in Pisa! We then found our way to the Leaning Tower and took the classical pictures or holding up the statue!
The sun was finally coming out, and we made our way back to the train station, ready for the beach! Once at the station, we noticed our train was getting ready to leave in 2 minutes and so we ran as fast as we could in hopes to make it. Keep in mind, one of the girls has a broken foot with a boot on it and therefore was hobbling along, trying to keep up! We barely made it, and as soon as we were on, the train took off. We made it to the beach and quickly found out they were all private. We found an opening, and headed towards the water where we sat and relaxed for several hours, soaking up the sun and listening to the ocean!
We found a nice place to eat dinner and since no one spoke English, we found it hard to communicate with the waiters. One of the cooks spoke Spanish though and we ended up ordering in Spanish, getting our first real experience of the Italian language. The guys working were hilarious, dancing and singing, having a good time as they worked. Kareokee started at 9pm, and though I wanted to stay and sing in Italian, we needed to get back to catch the last train out of here, back to Firenze!
A guy on a moped was obviously hitting on us, thinking he may crash into another car because his head was completely turned around, we pulled Chef close to our side. This gave the wrong idea and we all got a laugh when he pointed to Chef, and then gave the signal or "you, with all these girls, how?!"
The train ride home was rather interesting and after being on the wrong one and having to get moved to another one, creepy people walking up and down the aisle, stopping every 5 minutes for people to get off, and a bathroom which consisted of a hole leading to the outside, we made it to Firenze! The train ride may have only took an hour in a half to get to the beach, but it took close to 2 in a half hours to get home!
We stopped to get some gelato on our way back to our apartment, I got limone and fragula (strawberry), and then went to bed. Rylie and I once again stayed up talking, and finally fell asleep around 5 am!
The day was exciting and will be one I will never forget!
Sunday the 31st, I woke up to a phone call to Rylie, I had to look at my phone twice making sure it actually said 13:30. We slowly got ready and then Rylie, Lexi and I met up with Chef to walk to the town. We ate a small but delicious dinner at a nearby restaurant, and then mingled on our way to a bakery, where we found dessert. The chocolate cake was scrumptuous! A few days earlier, we heard a magnificant girl singing opera and hearing she was back, we stopped to listen for quite some time. The crowd she draws is amazing. You hear her voice and think of some one in you mind, then when you see she is just this tiny woman, with her husband playing the accordian, you can't help but stop and listen.
Thinking of calling it a night, Chef quickly changed our minds when a magician was out on the town, and was one we had to see! Lexi and Chef got pulled up to be part of the act, and Rylie and I could not stop laughing the whole time!
After a couple hours of cheap entertainment, we headed up so we could get some sleep before our first day of class!
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