GL350: Week Four

      No, no, no! I don't want to believe that we only have less than a month left. It's honestly crazy to think we're already on to week five. Week four was so amazing and full of so many great things.
     We started the week off with a tour of Aventine Hill by Amy and Danielle. Tuesday, Rachel and I finally got to present our tour to the group. We hopped on bus 64, (which is a student favorite) and led a tour of Piazza Navonna, and Piazza Rotonda, which also included the Pantheon and Santa Maria Sopra Minerva. In The Smiles of Rome, Muriel Spark talks about her stay in Rome. She states, "Wherever I live I am in the writer's condition: Work is pleasure and pleasure is work. I find Rome a good place to work." We don't necessarily have jobs, but we have class in the city. I personally find it much more enjoyable having class on the steps of churches and ancient ruins. Aside from having class and discussing our readings in the city, putting together our walking tours have also been pleasurable. Rachel and I got lost in the process, but ended up finding so many wonderful surprises out of it.
      After sweating to finish our Soc490 mid-term papers by Thursday, and studying for our Italian mid-term we set off for Florence Friday morning. We finally got to take the fast train, yay! Our first day in Florence was 99% shopping. I spent way too much money, end of story. Saturday we all went to The Uffizi, and the Academy. Both were breathtaking. The Uffizi, which is a GIANT art muesuem is filled with hundreds of famous artists. I found myself standing and gawking at some of the paintings, which I have been learning abut since 7th grade art. To say this place is huge would be an understatement. I was lost on the fourth floor for the whole first hour wandering by myself until I found Rachel and we quickely went through the other floors. After going through this mueseum, we ventured down the road to the Academy. The Academy is where The Statue of David by Michaelangelo is permenatly located. There was zero hesitant to pay the ten euros to get in, because just seeing that statue was totally worth it. I can't even begin to describe how awesome it was, my mom really didn't understand when I called her and told her that I had met a celebrity...he basically is. Florence is so pretty, and it three days was definatly not enough time.
      One quote from Muriel Spark that I also found relatable in not only Rome but Florence as well is, "The ordinary Romans and therefore life among them, although it may be exasperating at times, is never boring." This is entirely true with Romans, but also the residents of Florence. As a group I felt this was one of the most fun we have had together. Not only with each other, but with the other people from the city. Friday and Saturday night proved this to be correct.
      This upcoming week is Thanksgiving, and I'll be traveling back to Spain to visit Leire again before I leave Italy. Here's to the rest of a great week!