Saturday, June 14

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Hello,
Last night I had so much trouble sleeping. I think my body is trying to secretly go back to American time, because I wasn't able to go to sleep until 8 am this morning, which made me get up at 4 pm haha, but oh well, it's not like I have much to do these day since the program hasn't started yet. After I finally woke up, I decided to go jogging. The city is a walled city, and the walls are about 40 feet up off the ground, and there is a path on top of the walls all around, so people walk, job, make out all on top of the wall. It's only 4 km all the way around I've heard, so I was able to jog it once, then grab my camera and walk it again and take pictures because the views are really pretty. The one thing I did notice though, Lucca is full of lovers. Everyone seems to be in love, and expressing their PDA in full throttle. I've never seen so many people making out during one jog before in my life. Other than that, that has been my day haha. Yesterday was pretty low key also. We made another hike to the grocery store (I'm telling you, I'm going to be in such good shape when I get back, it's almost impossible to gain weight because of all the walking you do). I think I'm starting to pick up on a little Italian. I've been reading my "Italian Phrases for Dummies" book, and in the grocery store I was able to ask the lady where the powdered sugar was. Tomorrow we finally get to check in with the program and it will semi-start. Thank God. This is all fun and relaxing, but it will be nice to have something to do. Also, Tracie and Jawan get here tomorrow, so from here on out it will never be boring since they are two of the most interesting people I have ever met. I think with both of them being in Lucca they will have doubled the African-American population, so it should be fun. Anyways, it's like 9:00 here, and just now getting dark, so I think I'm going to go make some dinner. Hope Ponte Vedra is fun, wish I could be there! Oh and I'm gonna add some pictures of Lucca, my apartment and the view I got from running today. Love you.

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Photos

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a city street in Lucca

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another city street in Lucca

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water flow in Lucca. They have fountains everywhere and people bring several gallons to fill up with water to drink

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the court yard of the hostel I stayed in the first night

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a map of Lucca. It looks like a maze, and feels like one when you are walking through it.

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another city street, with a tall tower in the background

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when you come through the front door of the apartment

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the living room, with two couches and a tv that is only in italian or german

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the kitchen, furnished by Ikea

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room number one for who ever is spoiled and gets that whole bed to themselves (I'm sleeping in it for now until everyone gets here hahaha)

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room number 2 bunk beds, with a door out to the balcony/porch

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room number 3

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the balcony/porch

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the outdoor laundry facilities

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our sole entertainment, a velcro dart board

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the view out the front windows to the right

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the view out the front windows to the left

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the view on top of the walls while you walk/job

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funny looking trees

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pretty views... that river is where i bathe