Mom arrived around 11:30am! I was so happy to see her! I got a ton of food and other misc items I asked for. You should see my pantry right now! FOOD!! Today was more of a relaxing day because mom had to recover from her 12+ hr flight and the 6hr time difference. So while she took a nap, I went to the Italian post office for FINALLY pick up the package Katie sent me. Thank you to everyone in GB who signed the cards. You guys are the best and I feel so loved. This was one major highlight to my day. Another one was getting Skippy peanut butter from Katie and mom! 2 jars of amazingness! After mom's nap, I took her so a few piazza's include San Marco and to the Pointe de Vecchio (the famous bridge). I also took her to in my opinion the best gelato place in Florence! Then we went grocery shopping for the week. Mom really enjoyed the sights but boy was she tired! For dinner we made Bucatini pasta with bacon and cheese aka one of my favorite dishes. Mom loved it! And of course we had wine to drink :)
Tues 3/22:
Mom and I took a day trip to Pisa! We wanted to go to Lucca but we were too tired and sore after Pisa. Mom really loved the leaning tower but because we are both so directionally challenged and kept second guessing ourselves, the 20min walk to the tower turned into a 2 hr hike. Ick! But it was beautiful out. Mom and I each bought a new scarf in Pisa as well. Now mom officially looks Italian: D For dinner Mom and I went to an American bar in Florence called Astro where I finally for my burger! Never take advantage of eating red meat! I really missed it! So now I have my fix and can make it 2 more months until I arrive home and eat a nice juicy steak!
Wed and Thurs 3/23-24:
Mom and I got up and took the train to Venice!! This was an amazing vacation. I love this city and really want to go back! The bridges, the water, the view! I loved it all! Mom and I did have a rough start getting to Venice though. I ended up buying the last 2nd class train ticket so mom had to pay more money and sit in 1st class. She did get some cookies and a drink for free though. At least it was something. Sadly we didn't get to sit together on the 2hr train ride there. Also, it turns out the hotel we booked wasn't in Venice but in a suburb of it. We both were not happy to hear this. The website said it was in Venice....so we had to get back onto the train and get off at a different stop. Along the way to the hotel, we kept asking to make sure we were going the right way. We didn't want a repeat of Pisa. We met a very nice and helpful Kebap (kebab) worker and ended up eating lunch there. I'm not a big kebap fan but this was the best I've ever had! So yummy! The hotel staff was helpful but not very friendly. They told us we had to take a bus to Venice but they never told us that we had to buy our bus ticket before we got on the bus. So we committed an illegal act in Venice and rode the bus without paying. After looking around, several people did the same thing. Oh well, we bought our tickets every time after that. But we didn't know. You'd think the hotel staff would tell you this info. Though we had a rough start, the rest of our day was amazing! We ended up going on an unplanned gondola ride! The gondolier was so funny and he sang for us! It was a true experience! There's a funny video posted under my Venice album that is a must to watch. For dinner mom and I are at this lovely restaurant right off of the river. It was very nice and not too expensive.
On Thurs, mom and I spent the day looking around until 2pm where we booked a tour of Murano, Burano, and Torcello islands. I bought a mask before the boat tour because it's Venice and they're famous for their masks. It was great walking around the city and seeing everything. The tour of the islands was also amazing! We saw glass blowing on Murano Island, lace making on Burano and bought Limoncello and saw a very old pretty church on Torcello Island. I also bought a ring on Murano Island made with Murano glass and I'm in love. It's so pretty and sparkly! After the tour of the island, mom and I got on the train to head back to Florence. For dinner, I showed mom how to make crepes! She loved those too!
Fri 3/25:
Today I showed mom around Florence and where my classes were. I also bought all of my souvenirs for friends and family back home. Now I don't have to worry about it anymore and I saved money because I bought them right before tourist season. I also bought myself a few things I've been wanting. It was a very nice relaxing day with mom. I also took her to lunch at I'Grullo where she got to meet my Nico! She was a little surprised by the greeting we shared, a kiss on both cheeks. It's customary here to do with friends but a little weird for mom. At least Nico shook her hand! She loved Nico's restaurant and the food. See, I know how to pick the right people and places! Mom loved Florence and how pretty it is! For dinner, mom ate crab with lemon zest and corn and I had leftover crepes and corn. It was also very good. I was nice cooking with mom.
Sat: 3/26:
This was my last day with mommy :( Kelsey came with us today and we went to the big food market where they have meat, veggies, fruit, dessert, and even a restaurant inside! Mom and I bought some fresh spinach for dinner tonight and two nutella muffins. If anyone was wondering, the nutella muffins were very good! I love Italian food and how fresh everything is!! So lunch, Kelsey took us to this little restaurant where you can get a sandwich and wine for 4 Euros! The restaurant is the last one of its kind in Florence. The restaurant in built into the wall and there isn't any place to sit down. Tourists don't really know about this place so that made it all the awesome. We also walked through a bigger shopping market and to Piazzale Michael Angelo. Here you got the entire view of Florence from the city to the country side. This is the most beautiful place in Florence! Mom and I could have sat up there and stared forever! I've also decided that this is where I want to be proposed to! lol So now I need to find my future hubby and take him here!! Anyone know anyone?? ;) After the piazzale, we ate some gelato (which we ate everyday mom was here) and did a little more shopping. Mom and I made best dinner we've made so far! Chicken with spinach, bow tie pesto pasta, bread and olive oil, wine (of course), a strawberry-nutella dessert crepe and finished it off with a shot of Limoncello! It was a perfect Italian meal! Once it got dark, I took mom out and showed her Florence at night. She loved that too. It's very pretty and safe.
She now can see why I love it here so much! It really is amazing though. 2 months ago I wanted nothing but to go home and leave Italy. Now I don't want to go home ever! I want to stay in Europe and I'd love to study in France next year. However, I need to earn money and find a job my senior year, not spend money studying abroad. It's going to be so hard leaving this place. I miss my friends and family but I really don't want to go home ever!
My spring break with my mom was amazing and I'm so glad she came and visited me! I would have loved if dad could have come too but someone has to earn money and take care of Bo! Plus he's an American guy and I don't think he'd like Europe that much. He's a great husband for letting mom come over here and spending a week alone. Dads like me; we don't like being alone ever!! He's also a wonderful daddy for supporting his little girl and letting her live her dream. I can't wait to see him when I have to go home.
Ciao!
PS for pics of Venice go here: http://s1184.photobucket.com/albums/z327/KatieItalia2011/Venice%20March%2023%20and%2024%202011/
There are also other pics in my Italian album: http://s1184.photobucket.com/albums/z327/KatieItalia2011/?mediafilter=images
PS for pics of Venice go here: http://s1184.photobucket.com/albums/z327/KatieItalia2011/Venice%20March%2023%20and%2024%202011/
There are also other pics in my Italian album: http://s1184.photobucket.com/albums/z327/KatieItalia2011/?mediafilter=images
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