It didn't really fully hit me until I was in the car driving to JFK airport that this was actually happening, that I was finally fulfilling my lifelong dream of going to Italy. It still hasn't fully hit me that I'm here. I mean I know where I am, I love where I am, but it still doesn't seem real. Well...it hit me a little bit when I was Skyping with my parents last night- my mom asked me, "So what's it like?" and I kinda stopped and went, "...amazing..." and couldn't really say much else because I had started to tear up. I thought it would feel weird or different somehow, but it almost feels like fate. I know that sounds strange and maybe a little dramatic, but it just feels so natural that I would be here at this time and being doing the things that I am doing.
How was getting here? Well, let's jsut say that was an adventure unto itself. Seven hour plain ride from JFK to Zurch, Switzerland, during which I tried my darndest to sleep but just couldn't...collectively, I think I got maybe 20 minutes of sleep on that flight- and the only reason why I knew I was awake was because I was listening to my Ipod and I would suddenly realize that I was in the middle of a completely different song that I didn't remember starting. But it was worth it to be able to catch a glimpse of the Alps right before landing. They were beautiful- completely awe-inspiring. I've never seen anything like it, and probably never will. I think I also caught a glimpse of a wee Swiss and/or French village before the sun had risen- all I could make out was this ball of orange-ish light coming through the clouds, so I'm hoping it was a village or town and not some crazy wild fire running rampant through the European countryside. But then again, I may have been imaging it (remember, 20 minutes of sleep). Then a 5 hour- yes, 5 hour- layover in Zurich, during which we tried to keep ourselves from falling asleep in the middle of the airport. Instead we entertained ourselves with dancing (physical activity- keep the blood flowing!), finding free chocolate samples, and trying to figure out why EVERYTHING WAS IN ENGLISH. You would think that being in Switzerland, a country which has four, count "em, four, languages (those being French, German, Italian, and Swiss, which is a conglomerate of those three) would use at least one of them. Nope. We stepped off the plane and were greeted by good "ol English. It was actually surprising how many people spoke English in the traveling areas- it is completely different in Arezzo, but I would rather have less English since it gives me more of a chance to practice my Italian (which, by the way, it quite horrible right now).
So a 2 hour car ride followed by a 7 hour plane followed by a 5 hour layover followed by a much shorter plane ride into Florence (during which we flew over the Alps!) followed by the meeting of a few other Accademia folks followed by a long-ish train ride (during which I slept...finally) and a rather short taxi ride, we arrive at the Villa Godiola. OH. MY. GOD. The place is gorgeous. It is located just outside of Arezzo, in an area called San Fabiano. The city of Arezzo is actually in the middle of all his mountains, and we are up on this hill and we overlook the city...I nearly peed my pants the first time I looked out over it. We have a great view of the Duomo (that is, the main church) and most of the city walls, all of which dates back to the Middle Ages. The villa itself was built in the 16th century (I think) for an Archbishop as his summer home, and was also where part of the Medici family children were educated. Fun fact: Italy has very strict rules about the preservation of old things, so, for example, if one were to want the paint the walls of the Villa, one woul dhave to find a specific kind of paint that was used when the Villa was first built. Well, the Villa was built when people we still dealing with the Plague, therefore the paint is made with lime, which was though to cure/ward off the plague, which means that it rubs off very easily. Onto all of your clothing. Fun.
The first full day (Saturday) we just did some general orientation stuff- getting shown around the Villa, academic stuff, student life getting-to-know-each-other shenanigans and what not, which made me a little sleepy, not gonna lie. But that night we went into town and got some gelato- my first one ever! It was cheery (I forget the Italian word for it) and it was delicious. Apparently there is a better place further in town which I definitely want to check out. We then went further into town (meaning inside the city walls) and got some drinks. Even though I was never a drniker at home, it still is strange to me that I can just walk into a store or a bar and buy some alcohol. Kinda like using dollar and two-dollar coinage. It takes some getting used to. I have decided that I am not much of a wine drinker, or that wine is very much an acquired taste. I do want to broaden my horizons (while still remembering everything, dont worry!) but whatever. Im not too fussed about it.
Today (Sunday) was our first official trip into the city. We got shown around for a little bit and then we were given some time to just wander which was fun. We stopped and got some really good (and really cheap! €3.50!) pizza, wandered the the antique fair where we found a really great view of the surrounding area of Arezzo- including the Villa! We also walked through the Duomo, during which I tried to analyze the architecture...Curtis would be so proud! And then...thisis the best part...we went to a joust! The Giostra di Saracino (I think I spelled that right) is held every year on the first weekend of September and it is a competition between the four quarters of Arezzo. Since the Accademia is located in the Porta Crucifera, we of course rooted for them. The event dates back to the Middle Ages, so all the people involved were dressed in these crazy costumes that looked so hot and uncomfortable, but it was so much fun to watch! Apparently nobody likes Porta Crucifera because we have won so many, and our big rival is Porta San Andrea (there are 2 more quarter but I forget the names). Anyway, it was pretty intense, since the Crucifera fans were taunting the San Andrea fans and vice versa but still a lot of fun. We were standing near a HUGE groups of Crucifera supporters, so we tried to join in on their chants but, obviously, did not understand a darn thing they were saying. We did join in on a clapping one, the text of which turned out to be "Bianco e verde (the colors of San Andrea), pezzo di merde"- meaning "White and green, pieces of shit." Polite, no? Anyway, we lost and San Andrea won, which is why we are all avoiding going into town right now because they are probably all celebrating very loudly and quite frankly we dont want to get eaten alive by crazy Italians.
So that is all the news that fit to print for now. Sorry this took so long, the adapter that I bought does not work in the outlets so my laptop battery died and I have not been able to use it (obviously). Not to mention, I dont really want to spend all my time in front of a computer when I am in the middle of Tuscany. Pictures will be coming as soon as I can charge my battery. Additionally, I start classes tomorrow, so I will have plenty to talk about my the time my computer is happy again. Buona notte!
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There are only two emotions in a plane: boredom and terror. ~Orson Welles
There are only two emotions in a plane: boredom and terror. ~Orson Welles
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