Day 7: Ciao, Tuscania!

     Today I woke up, finished packing, and then waited for our shuttle to Firenze. We left at around 10:30. I had planned to sleep on the shuttle, but everything was so beautiful that I stayed awake and watched the beautiful views pass by the bus windows. At 1:15 we stopped for lunch. It was decent food for a highway pit stop, but was an absolute ripoff moneywise. I didn't really care though, because I was so close to Firenze! Most of the bus ride I was panicking about meeting the family. What if they didn't speak English or didn't like me!? Eek!

     We arrived on the outskirts of Florence at about 2:15. I thought that's what all Florence was going to look like: another hilly, farm-landish place. But when we arrived in the center at around 2:30, I realized it was a lot like your average American city. I got a taxi with Larissa to our different families. I was dropped off first, outside a building on a busy street numbered '22'. I rang the buzzer and prepared to meet the people I would be living with for the next four months.

     The door unlocked, and I lugged my bags into a stairwell. 'Hello, is anybody there?' I heard someone calling in English from above. I was met by Mafalda, the 14 year old daughter of my host mom. She helped my carry my bags up four flights of stairs to the second floor. I met my roommate, Caroline, who is 22, and my host mom, Luisa. They all seem very nice. The house is one floor, with three bedrooms, a living room, a kitchen, and two bathrooms. Caroline and I have a room together, as well as our own bathroom. I unpacked my bags, and then we had dinner. I was so grateful for a home cooked meal; I have been so tired of eating out every day! We had pasta, green beans, cheese, and bread. A typical Italian meal. It was delicious.

    Then Caroline and I went out and explored our new home. Firenze is literally breathtaking. We went out for an hour and a half, got gelato, and saw some architecture, like the Duomo and Ponte Vecchio. I got some great pictures. I am so happy to finally be settled!!