IKEA Adventure!

Last night we went out dancing and had a blast and came home at 3:00am and passed out. I woke up at 2:00pm and was disgusted with myself. I have never slept so late in my life. The shutters in my rooms make the room pitch black so if I do wake up it still seems like it is the middle of the night. Once my roomates and I all got dressed and ready we decided to make a trip to IKEA to get some things for the apartment that we needed. We had heard there was a free shuttle to the store near the train station. For some reason we didnt ask for directions and walked for ever. Our feet hurt and we were all starving. We got some food and then found a McDonalds...I never go to McDonalds but for some reason I instantly wanted fries...When we finally got to the bus station we couldn't find the IKEA bus anywhere. We got on a public transportation bus payed 2 euros and got dropped off near IKEA.....we knew that this wasnt right but finally we had made it. I had never been to an IKEA before and was quite overwhelmed by its size, options and lack of english (b/c I am in fact in Italy) Once we got some bowls, tupperware, new sheats it was 8:00pm we didn't know how we were going to get back so this time we asked and a man pointed us to a spot where the infamous shuttle is supposed to come. We waited for a while and a coach bus with Ikea all over it showed up and dropped us off right where we started. On the bus we looked at the map and realized we walked so far out of the way it was insane. Luckily if i ever go again I know how to get there. Everyone is so tired from our IKEA adventure that we are going to stay in an watch movies. I plan on setting my alarm so I don't sleep so late in the morning. 

IKEA Adventure!

Last night we went out dancing and had a blast and came home at 3:00am and passed out. I woke up at 2:00pm and was disgusted with myself. I have never slept so late in my life. The shutters in my rooms make the room pitch black so if I do wake up it still seems like it is the middle of the night. Once my roomates and I all got dressed and ready we decided to make a trip to IKEA to get some things for the apartment that we needed. We had heard there was a free shuttle to the store near the train station. For some reason we didnt ask for directions and walked for ever. Our feet hurt and we were all starving. We got some food and then found a McDonalds...I never go to McDonalds but for some reason I instantly wanted fries...When we finally got to the bus station we couldn't find the IKEA bus anywhere. We got on a public transportation bus payed 2 euros and got dropped off near IKEA.....we knew that this wasnt right but finally we had made it. I had never been to an IKEA before and was quite overwhelmed by its size, options and lack of english (b/c I am in fact in Italy) Once we got some bowls, tupperware, new sheats it was 8:00pm we didn't know how we were going to get back so this time we asked and a man pointed us to a spot where the infamous shuttle is supposed to come. We waited for a while and a coach bus with Ikea all over it showed up and dropped us off right where we started. On the bus we looked at the map and realized we walked so far out of the way it was insane. Luckily if i ever go again I know how to get there. Everyone is so tired from our IKEA adventure that we are going to stay in an watch movies. I plan on setting my alarm so I don't sleep so late in the morning. 

1-30-09

Today was a low key day. We woke up early to show our passports to some Italian official to prove we were who we said we were. I then went back to bed for a while because I am still not quite adjusted to the time change, I stay up way later than I normally do. When I woke up from my nap I walked around and finally got some bras, because I didn't bring any...... after shopping and successfully asking for 2 cappchinos in Italian I went on a walking tour of Florence and learned where all my classes were located. There are several buildings spread throughout the city and a 15min walking distance at most from building to building. I'm pretty glad about all the walking so I don't have to feel so guilty about all the pasta and gelato I consume. I also made my first dinner tonight in our little kitchen and did the dishes after I was done..by hand... My dad would be proud. Tonight we are going to some club called "Space electronica" where Study Abroad Italy is having a welcome party.. it should be interesting with a name like space electronica.

First few days in Florence

I arrived in Florence at 3:30am our time and felt nauseous because I was so tired and that I was going to die. I got my bags and was picked up by a study abroad italy representative. I went to the SAI office checked in and got some paper work. I moved into the apartment which is huge and in the center of everything. I am living with 7 other girls. 3 are from Texas, 2 from NY one from Chicago and one from VT. All the girls are really nice I lucked out. Florence is beautiful and so old! I have been eating a lot of pasta and drinking wine. My roommates and I have just been wondering around exploring and getting aquatinted as best we can. There are definitely a lot of new things to get used to such as speaking italian, short showers, huge heavy doors with very complicated locks, pushing doors open instead of pulling, elevators, making my own dinner the list goes on... but I'm excited to learn the ways of the Italians.

Ciao