Things are settling. I still worry daily about how much Italian I'm retaining, but I think its best if I don't pay attention and just try. 

This past week and a half or so have been such a whirlwind--and I start classes today at 3:30!

Last weekend I went to Brussels, and the weekend before that I went to Florence. Both weekends were really great.

I went to Florence with Courtney who knows the place quite well. We met up with one of my old friends, Noelle, and did a little walk of the city before heading to lunch at a crazily delicious Tuscan restaurant. We then went to go see the David, which was both incredible and comical (his hands are quite huge, and other things, well...not) and the Duomo. While Firenze's Duomo is beautiful, it doesn't carry the majestic quality that I feel when I am near the Duomo in Milan (I find this to be a good sign, because perhaps that means I'm falling in love with Milan?). After a nap, Courtney, Noelle, and I went to this restaurant called La Giostra. 

Oh my God. 

Words can't explain this food. If you are EVER in Firezne, YOU HAVE TO EAT THERE. 

Friends, I have never been so adamant about food in my life.

Okay, maybe that's a lie, but seriously, this food was probably the best I have ever had. Just google "La Giostra Firenze" and you'll get their website. Good? Good! (Except you have no idea how good until you eat their food...)

On Sunday I saw Ponte Vecchio and went to the Uffizi. It was great to finally see Botticelli's paintings after having done projects on them in high school. I had no idea just how magnificent they actually were. While I loved Florence, I was glad to finally get home after lots of traveling and walking around. However, it was more than worth it.

This past weekend I went to Brussels with my other roommate, Melissa, and a friend of her's, Michelle. Serendipitiously, a family friend was also going to be in Brussels that weekend, and I was fortunate enough to get to spend some time with her. It was wonderful, most especially, because she has spent a significant amount of time there and speaks french. She took us all around the city and got us some great eats. We spent our two days sightseeing (a shit ton, pardon my french. My shins STILL hurt from all the walking! And yes, mom, I can't go without one post without complaining...I mean, just because I'm in Europe doesn't mean I'm not Jewish anymore...) and eating. Let me break this down for those of you who don't know: Brussels is famous for a few things, namely Waffles, Chocolate, Beer, and French Fries. I mean, I've had some really good fries in the US, as well as some really good Chocolate and beer. But seriously, kids--there's more beer out there than I ever could have fathomed, and  the WAFFLES. OH GOD. I ate three while I was there. The last two were the best, but the first I was just eager to eat one. On Saturday morning I ate one covered in Nutella for breakfast, and then ate another on Saturday evening as a snack. That one was the best--I watched the guy make it in his truck. The sugar on the outside was slightly burnt, but then gave in and was really doughey on the inside. the french fries are also great, and they sometimes serve them with this sauce that they call Samurai-- its really spicy, kind of like getting kicked in the face.

Ah, the simple things in life. That was after we went to the Art Museum in Bruxelles--they had some really great ancient art, but mostly a lot of great Modern art. I saw some Seurat's, Dali's, and Magritte's. I felt so calm when in the Museum--it really made me miss the MET and the MoMA back at home, but now I'm on a mission to find a great museum that I can call my home here in Milan. 

Time for me to go--I have laundry to do, and the dishes are calling my name. Then it's off to my first classes!