Five: Cinque

The Duomo :)

These faces just explain how we feel about the secret bakery haha.

The inside of the cupola.

Your truly!

View from the top.

Buona sera.
It is Wednesday night in Firenze, and enjoying some hot tea and updating the blog!

Let me start by saying I have not been gone long, but there is nothing that can replace New Mexico green chile or carne adovada burritos! EVER! The other night one of my roommates (even though she’s not from NM, she’s Mexican so she gets the chile thing) was really missing spicy food, so we decided to go out to eat at a restaurant called Tijuana. It is a bit ironic that going to USD, we had to come half way around the world to go out to eat in TJ! The place was really cute on the inside, and supposedly the owner spent a substantial sum of money bringing decorations from Mexico to Florence to decorate. Our margaritas were really yummy, and we had fun just being there and hanging out. We all got enchiladas. Flour tortilla enchiladas. Haha. The food was good, but we were all left wanting real Mexican food. If we ever want chips and salsa and a good change of scenery, though, we know where to go.

The real star of last weekend was yet again, the secret bakery! I got a chocolate doughnut. Imagine classic crispy cream but with chocolate insides and coated in sugar. Oh. My. God. I don’t even like doughnuts that much, but this doughnut was too good. I must not go back soon. It could turn into an addiction! I love the picture of Alyssa, Gladys and I grubbin'. So not attractive, but so much win.

This week I did check another classic Florentine experience off my list! I climbed to the top of the cupola (dome) of the Duomo (cathedral)! The dome was designed by Brunelleschi and is a work of architectural genius. After learning the history of the Duomo, it was great to go inside and to actually climb to the top. The stairs become ladder-like at times because it is so steep. The views from the top were incredible! It was an amazing experience I hope anyone that visits Florence has the chance to experience.

I took pictures of the Duomo with my film camera for my photography class. I am looking forward to seeing how they come out. I have been trying to take as many good classic photos as I can in addition to digital photos. I went out this last weekend just walking and keeping my eyes open for good subjects for my photo class. I happened upon a puppet show in Santa Croce that gave me just that. There was an older man and a younger middle-aged woman who had set up a puppet show in the piazza. There were kids watching and laughing as the puppeteers sang and made the puppets dance. I printed a photo of the man and the puppets/stage in class, and it came out great. It was so unexpected and enjoyable, and I’m glad I got to document it on film. Sorry I don’t have digital ones to share now, but I can show them to you soon! While I was out I also went in an antique market that is in one of the piazzas here. I have gone by it many times, but it is not always open/I have never gone in. They had lots of great things. I wanted to live in one of the small shops, as some where set up like living spaces. Wandering gets me great places. :)

There is so much to do and see! And it’s all happening fast! Tomorrow I am going to the Museum and Monastery of San Marco with one of my classes. Friday I am going to Venice for Carnevale. The weekend after that to Modena to tour production sites of balsamic vinegar, prosciutto, and parmesan cheese and sample some of Italy’s famed products.
More to come. Love to all of you!