After another wonderful (but long) day of class, tired and sore footed, Chelsea, Kelsey and I walked over to the Supermercato to get some cheese.  So, I don't really know how to order the correct amounts of cheese in Italian, so I asked my professor (who has been vastly helpful) and she said that mezzokilo is a good amount. Great! Okay, I get mezzokilo of gorgonzola, and brie. . . and it's HUGE. I mean, I don't mind for the brie, but I more wanted a taste of gorgonzola rather than a GIANT thing of it! I tucked it aside as a learning experience, turned the corner and realized that there was already cut and packaged cheese there. I didn't even need to try to make myself understood by the lady behind the counter! oh well, I guess I'm going to have a lot of gorgonzola on my sandwiches! We went back and had a mini feast for lunch

I relaxed the rest of the afternoon and figured out the train schedule for the weekends -- we're planning on Siena this weekend, Rome the next, then Venice/Verona and Naples/Pompeii. At a quarter to eight, I dragged them to the Palazzo Michelangelo to watch the sunset (it was far away, and we're all exhausted from so much walking and heat).  Unfortunately no sunset tonight, but still, the view of Florence was amazing.

It doesn't even look real in pictures. . .  I can't believe I'm even in this place! It was nice being across the river (We're staying a few streets beyond the Duomo -- i.e. the GIANT church) because it seems like people actually live there and it's a little less touristy.  We went to a random restaurant that was in a little map book of Florence my aunt and uncle gave me, which was a lot less touristy. . . but the waiter was a little disdainful of 3 American girls who speak very little Italian. The food was good though. I had a risotto that tasted like glorified spaghetti o's (in a good way). . . but I felt so guilty about asking to take a bag out last time, this time I tried to clear my plate, which is the proper thing, which resulted in me eating entirely too much food. blah! Exhausted and full, we walked back over the Ponte Vecchio home, looking at the river

 

I am so exhausted, but a few parting observations thus far before I go to bed

1. I drink at least 2 liters of water a day, and I'm pretty sure it's because I sweat so much because of walking in the sun for long periods of time. 

2. I feel like I'm actually getting ever so slightly tan, which might be nice!

3. I was surprised, but Italian bread isn't that great. They like a really crunchy crust and bland bread. I need to find some ciabatta and focaccia bread. Although their rolls can be quite good. 

4. The kinds of observations I am making may be an indication that I need to sleep. . . 

good night!