Oy, where does the time go? September 19-25

Hello dear readers! Well, this week has flown by like a cropduster in locust season. Michelle arrived last Sunday, my birthday was Tuesday, hers was Thursday, Joe’s tech goddess from work –Gwen- was in town on Wednesday, we went to the outlet mall on Friday, Saturday was a trip to the sea, and today, Sunday, I didn’t do anything (except some homework and watch some movies). I can hardly believe how the time is passing so rapidly. I still haven’t been to a single museum or church except on school trips. Oy. I’m hoping to get to the Boboli Gardens with Michelle at some point (but not tomorrow because I have to get a new phone, mine was submerged in water and doesn’t work anymore). There is a pizza making class that sounds fun on Tuesday, and Wednesday I have a presentation about Elsa Shiaparelli to give for a class, after we go to the Ferragamo museum (fashion class).

I’m really glad I switched into the fashion class. Last week, I read all about how the Edwardian styles of the Belle Epoque gave way to young Coco Chanel and sportswear and flappers. I am excited about my presentation Wednesday. Schiaparelli was known for her “shocking” pink and surrealist tendencies. It’s nice to be excited about schoolwork!

So, what will you want to hear about from the crazy week? Well, how about handmade pappardelle with rabbit ragu? Oh yes. It was amazing. A lovely Finnish woman in my Italian class (just here for a month of vacation, and taking class while she’s at it) recommended a fantastic restaurant that is, unfortunately, only 2 blocks from my apartment. That’s where I went with Gwen and her husband and Michelle. Michelle can’t wait to go back, and I’ll happily be her date. I want what she had for dinner, and she wants what Pete had. Joe, Jenny and Todd, Mom and Dad, get ready for deliciousness!

For our birthdays, we invited a few student friends to join us for cocktails at a nice and calm looking modern bar near the Duomo. Looks can be deceiving, that’s for sure! It ended up being really fun, just not at all what we expected. There was a conga line at one point, here’s that pic! Look how happy Michelle looks (the blonde in the middle).

Friday, the roomies and Michelle and I went to the outlet mall about an hour outside of Florence. It’s all designer shops, Gucci, Pucci, Armani, Marni, Burberry, Yves Saint Laurent, etc. Needless to say, not a lot of purchasing went on, but I sure saw about 400 things I loved. I have this fantasy that when I’m working again, I’ll be dressed in Marni every day riding my scooter around town. And in favor of that fantasy, I got a really cool pair of Marni sunglasses, and a Pucci beret. I may be in the throes of a Pucci obsession. Stay tuned.

On Saturday, Liz, Michelle and I went to a coastal town called Livorno. Liz wanted to sit on the beach all day, and Michelle wanted to relax a little. Livorno is a really cool town, but it doesn’t have any sand beaches (although websites I looked at led me to believe otherwise). We sat out on a jetty with some Italians who, I’m not kidding, were talking about food the whole time we were there. Originally, we were going to stay until sunset, but around 3 we decided to head back. I’d like to return and explore that city a little more. It seems to be a big port center, and there are lots of old tall ships around. There is also a crazy “boardwalk” that looks like Dali designed it, about a kilometer long, winding with a balustrade (is that the right word?) and grey and white checked tiles about a square foot each the whole way along. It was quite surreal looking against the rocky shoreline and Victorian-era looking hotels. You’ll have to wait for pictures, since my camera was also submerged in water and didn’t work yesterday (it works again now). Michelle will email them when she gets home.

This week looks like it will prove to be just as crazy as the last. Michelle leaves on Friday, and I’m spending the weekend in Rome. Since we don’t have much schoolwork, really, the time is going from one weekend to the next. And since we don’t have class on Fridays, the weeks are short and the weekends are long. I’ll try to post shorter updates more often, but as I’ve mentioned, internet is scarce. End day 18.