Then we got up REALLY early Friday morning to head out to Pisa. It was extremely hot. I just gotta point that out. And I was in jeans and a longer shirt because we were going into churches. I did not think that through.
When we got to Pisa, our tour guide took us to the gates that would take us into the city. She said close your eyes and when you walk through, be ready. When I stepped through those gates and saw the buildings, I was truly in awe. They were so beautiful. There is an amazing contrast between the green grass and the while marble of the building that makes these buildings stand out in such an amazing way.
We first went inside the baptistery. There were signs all over that said silence, but everyone talked anyway. Then this man steps toward the baptismal fountain and begins shushing everyone. I thought it was so annoying that he expected everyone to be quiet, but then he cupped his hands over his mouth and began to sing. And his changing pitch with the way the sound hung in the air from the echo filled the entire baptistery with the most beautiful sound. I can't seem to load the video on here unfortunately.
From the baptistery, you get an amazing view of the cathedral. I think it is so crazy that they took four architects from various places around the world, and they worked in harmony to create a new style for the church. It works.
The feast of Saint Rainerius, the patron saint of Pisa, is on June 17 so his tomb was on display in the Pisa Cathedral. I can't believe there is even anything still in there after all this time.
Then we got to see the famous Leaning Tower of Pisa. I can't believe how many architects tried to save the structure and it is still leaning. My tour guide said we don't have to worry about it for another 90 years. Good luck to that guy.
We also visited Camposanto Monumentale. There is so much art everywhere. And graves. Once again, it felt weird to walk on top of so many deceased bodies.
After Pisa, we went to Lucca. I had a lot of fun in Lucca because we really just got free time the whole time. Nathan, one of the art students, and I decided to look for a pool or fountain to cool off in, but instead we got a tandem bike and rode around the city. It was fun!
Saturday morning we left to go to Chianti. Finally the wine country!
We were told we would take a small hike to the medieval town of Montefioralle. Oh okay. Well when it's hot and you're walking up a twisting, winding, steep hill, it's not a cute short hike. It's a test of wills.
The town was cute though, I'll admit. We found the home of Amerigo Vespucci, so that was neat. But the town was so rustic and green with a great view of all the vineyards down below.
After that we left the city of Greve to go to Vicchiomaggio Castle, where they ferment the wines! We went through the types of grapes and how much of each go into the different types of wine as well as the process of fermentation.
We were given some free time to roam around the castle. It was filled with lush and beautiful gardens, as well as la piscina! (I wasn't allowed near the pool). This was also apparently where Da Vinci painted his Mona Lisa, so here's my impression.
And some pictures of wine barrels.
And then my roommates and I!Then we took a quick bus down to the actually tasting area. We tried 4 different types of wine. In my humble opinion, I needed a little more wine for the tasting :) JK it was good. They also had some antipasto which was good because I'm always hungry. It started raining on our last wine, which was not good at all, so we ended things quickly. The first wine was white, the other two reds, with one as a chianti classico. I'll be sneaking it back to the states with me.
That day was the birthday for Nathan, and that night at midnight was my roommate Shelby's birthday, so we got the whole study abroad group together to find a disco techa! But trying to get 15 people to agree on a place to go is hard. The birthday boy picked a club but it turns out that it closed 5 years ago, so now we're all aimlessly wandering the streets of Firenze for a place to go dancing. This was the dilemma. It wasn't about finding a bar. We've been there and done that. We needed a place with loud music and a dance floor. We just didn't know where that was! We settled on a bar that looked like it had a dance floor. It didn't really, but me and a couple of girls decided it would suffice. The bartender there told us about a club called "Flo" but that we would need cabs to take us there. He was so sweet and called the taxi's for us. But he said 5 minutes. Then I ask him again, and he said 20. Well, now it's about that time I realize he's not calling the damn cab because everyone just buys more drinks the longer they wait. So Ike and I go around, tell people to finish they're drinks, and go to a taxi stand. Where you stand and compete with others for a taxi. And with our group? We needed about 4-5 cabs. I'm a pro though. I waved cabs down for everyone, even the group of random girls near us. I finally get a cab for myself and a couple of girls, but some old woman with an umbrella hopped in, spat something out to me in Italian as if it makes up for it, and yelled at the cabbie till he apologetically looked at me and took off! I was just standing there screaming some choice words, but then a new taxi was there in a minute.
The club was AWESOME! Minus the hella expensive drinks (I only had two mom and dad). We all just got to dance for like 4 hours and hang out and bond and it was great. I love dancing.
I got home around 4:30 or 5 and went to my Italian version of Whataburger - the kebab place! That's right. Kebabs.
Love you Mom, Dad, and Fonz. Dad - I hope you had a great father's day! Red Robin date in the future. And mom - I feel like you're heading to New York soon - please be careful! Let me know when you're with mia nonna.
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