Milan

We arrived at Milan Centre Stazione

and I took a subway for the first time : )

Surprise!...We arrived at arrived the day of the carnivale without even knowing! People were having fun throwing confetti and spraying snow foam at each other.

Duomo di Milano

Inside the Cathedral

The alter

This is one of the enormous windows inside the duomo. Each frame tells a story from the Bible.

The colossal pillars were overwhelming!

After gazing at the Church, we headed out to explore the streets of Milan.

We ended up going to a real cool soccer store.

The mall : )

Inside the mall, makeup artists were styling people's hair...I didn't get mine done!

But did I like how they were applying the makeup...

Basilica di San Miniato al Monte

I decided to go to Sunday Mass at San Miniato, which is located on top of hill on the south of Florence. It has a spectacular view of Florence...better than Fiesole!

There is actually a cemetary behind the church.

This was my favorite tombstone.

This cemetary was nice but creepy...

It seemed we climbed down hundreds of stairs to get to Florence.

We finally arrived to the city wall.


And we passed the Fiurme Arno!

Fiesole

We took a 15 minute ride to Fiesole and climbed this steep road to get a view of the city of Florence.

However, this is all we could see of Florence. Our city is really polluted!

Giardino dell' Orticoltura

These gates are right in front of my apartment. It took me four weeks to figure out there was a park behind those gates!!

The first thing I saw as I walked in, was the this glass and steel pavilion. It is used for garden exhibitions.

This fountain bursts out water every five minutes.

I'm glad I found this place where I can take a break from the noisy city and draw peacefully for my Drawing and Composition class.

Things to know..

Here are some things I’ve learned so far:


Watch out for cars. They don’t stop for pedestrian and they drive so fast!

Always carry an umbrella. You never know when it might start raining.

To say “Non parli, Italiano” (I don’t speak Italian). Somehow most people here think I’m Italian.

Oranges are actually red here… but they are so delicious!

People in Florence don’t wear bright colors. If you don’t wear black or brown, then you'll surely stand out.

Always carry a map and a taxi number. Florence is a big town to walk around in…we already got lost a few times!

Italians are nicer than they seem. They can bargain with you.

Watch out for gypsies! They are good pick-pocketters.

The air is not that fresh. The crowded buildings are very good at holding in the smoke from cars and from everybody’s cigarettes.

Drinking age is 18.

Everyone walks! Its easier to get around the city walking. Its healthy and, hard to believe, but I haven’t seen many overweight people.

Don’t smile to strangers. People get the wrong impression.

Don’t stare.

Try foods other than Italian. Although pastas are great, I’ve found Chinese, Turskish, and Mexican to be tasty too. Kebabs are the greatest!

Out to Salamanca

We wanted to try some Mexican food and see how close it was to the real authentic food. We had nachos and flautas and it turned out to be surprisingly good!

At the beach in Viareggio

This was my very first time at a beach... I loved it! But it was too cold to go in!

Viareggio Carnivale!!!

For the first time ever I experienced a ride in a train. We traveled by train to Viareggio, a beach town west of Florence. We were ecstatic to have some fun and to look at all the amazing and creative costumes.

As soon as we arrived, the enthusiasm was contagious. People were dressed up in artistic costumes and masks, and the animated floats were awesome! People were singing, dancing, playing music, and throwing confetti everywhere...we had a marvelous time!

Even Miss Italy was there!

The first float in the parade...


Obama is really popular here!

Towards the end...

On the train

...all the fun and music wore me down!