a new day.

luggage obtained....great success.

it turns out my bags wanted a vacation of their own, and decided it best to take the scenic route.

aka...they were in milan.

milan, florence, florence, milan.

i personally see how similar the two look/are/sound and therefore completely understand the whole "missing luggage debacle..." NOT.

but that is neither here nor there...i have my bags, so i can stop wearing a parka and start wearing shorts and tank tops like everyone else.

orientation at the villa is still going on, with one or two lectures a day; having staff provide the students with what they feel to be valid/useful information for a successful stay in florence. with the weather as hot as it has been, the rooms of the villa are basically saunas, making it nearly impossible to pay attention.

today after orientation, and bringing my bags back to my apartment, my roommate and I went for a walk. we are obviously still very new to this city, and are easily lost (although living right next to il Duomo has its benefits in that it is like being guided by the northern star; just look up in the sky, and you will be able to find home). additionally, florence is not structured the same way as the perfect grids of NYC. in the heart of the city (where i am living) the streets or "strada" are extremely narrow; sidewalks are wide enough for only one person, and the streets themselves can squeeze one car in, although as a pedestrian you are almost always under the impression that you are about to be hit by a car. These strade create an intricate web within the city, with side streets budding every few feet and leading locals towards yet another piazza and ultimately leading people to historical/religious/artistic masterpieces, which can be found throughout all corners of the city.

random fun fact:

while checking in to the program, one of the staff members told me that the mirror in on of the bathrooms in my apartment looked like it was decaying; he then continued to tell me not to worry, and that it wasn't mold, but an original fresco from the Renaissance. apparently a large chunk of the buildings in existence today are actually founded and created on ancient artworks such as frescos. in retrospect that is amazing. this city really prides itself on its rich history and its extensive culture; and even though many of those customs were lost over time, the principles still exist, and there is a certain rustic air to the general life-style of those who reside in florence.