a whole lot of studying and a little bit of home

Being in Italy is great, but they weren't kidding when they said we were studying abroad.

This week has been a reality check. I think we all thought that we were coming to this beautiful Italian place on a vacation where we traveled every day and studied a little on the side; however, this week has been quite the opposite.

We have had class on class on class, and homework on homework on homework. 

Thanks to Sara, a Sansepolcro native who works at the Palazzo and one of the sweetest ladies I’ve ever met, we have learned a ton about the history and culture of Sansepolcro.  Also, thanks to our new friend Antonio, we are also in the process of learning “survival” Italian at the Palazzo.  Let’s just say foreign languages are not my forte, and the Italians could probably understand my English better than my Italian.  And thanks to my math class, I am soon to be an expert on the Divine Proportion and the Golden Ratio – I’m such a math nerd, I know!

With all these classes and homework, I’ve realized how much I miss home.

I miss all of my sweet family and friends.

I miss southern hospitality.

I miss Lee’s Produce and The Farmer’s Market.

I miss warm weather.

Don’t get me wrong, I love Italy, and we’re having a great time, but as we walked around the market today, it felt good to see a few reminders of home.

See you in a month Carolina! 

Flying Cross Continent

Thanks to my beautiful mamma and sister for sending me off!

24 hours of traveling.

5,000 miles from home.

11 Meredith Girls on my side.

2 professors sharing their knowledge.

& 6 weeks to make memories of a lifetime.

Sansepolcro, Italy is absolutely gorgeous, and I’m so happy to finally be here with all of these sweet girls.  I know we are sure to be the best of friends before this is all over with.

Let’s just start with the travel. We arrived at the airport at 9:45am and departed good ole’ Raleigh, North Carolina at 2:30pm.  After a arriving at the Charlotte airport, and departing again, we finally reached Munich, Germany 8 hours later.  Of course, we didn't get to spend much time in Germany, but I would love to go back and visit.  From the view of the air plane, it’s beautiful!

the Alps in Germany

Finally we boarded our last flight and arrived in Rome, Italy by 11:00 am (Italy time) to meet up with some of our other Meredith friends. It was exhausting! Then together we took another 3 hour bus ride to the sweet little town of Sansepolcro, Italy where we got settled in to our home for the next six weeks.    

Italy is beautiful.

Sansepolcro is beautiful.

The Palazzo is beautiful.

And the people are beautiful.

Last night after getting settled, we took a little trip around town and ended up at a cute little bar for some drinks.  Literally everyone drinks here, but the wine is super good!  It was such a great bonding experience for all of us girls, and I already feel much closer to them after only one night.  Today we had a more in depth tour of this beautiful place, went to the market, had lunch at the palazzo, went out for dinner at this super authentic Italian restaurant, went out for a few more drinks, and then had the world’s best gelato.  Can we talk about the food?! Margharitta is the cook at the palazzo and she is the absolute best! For lunch we had the best Italian food I've ever tasted, and apparently this is an every day thing. I seriously think I'm in heaven! Needless to say, it’s been a good day!  I’m in love with this place, but I will say that I miss North Carolina and all of the people in it!

 

Tomorrow we visit a Catholic Mass, and we begin classes, but soon we will begin exploring more of Italy, dining with Italian families, and taking many independent excursions.

Many more pictures to come, but ciao for now!