Appartamento Firenze

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Last night, a few new friends and I went to a small restaurant (and ordered wine of course) and then walked around the city. Seeing the Duomo for the first time was absolutely amazing! It is spectacular up close, so much more impressive than any pictures I have seen. I am looking forward to exploring it further and getting up to the top of the dome. We walked down through their "fashion district." Pretty much any famous name in fashion, Gucci, Prada, Fendi, Armani, Dolce and Gabbana, Versace to Tiffany & Co. even, had at least one (sometimes two) stores all with extraordinary window displays. It was probably good they were closed or else we would have been tempted to go inside, not that I could afford it anyway. We walked along the Arno River to the Ponte Vecchio and then over to the Palazzo Vecchio. After the loop around the city center, we finally made it back to the apartment.

One of my favorite things right now, (other than the Duomo) is my apartment. I live with three other girls in a two bedroom apartment in Piazza San Remigio (Re-ME-jyo). It overlooks a small church and tiny piazza, as well as the classic red rooftops of Florence. Just beyond the roof tops to the east, I can just see the top of Santa Croce. Everything is so much closer together than it seems, I think the maps are sort of deceiving that way. There are so many little streets and walkways, some not even big enough for cars to pass through. It is fun to watch the activity in the piazza below; I have already seen several old Italian women wandering through as motorbikes go speeding by. They don't seem to worried about getting hit, although I have had a few close calls.

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Photos

My Bedroom
My bed with the walk-out balcony

Balcony-South
Looking South--toward the Arno River

Balcony-East
Looking towards Santa Croce (You can see the top of it through the buildings)

Piazza San Remigio
Looking down into the piazza below our apartment

La Cuccina
Our little kitchen, I have yet to cook anything yet though!

Camera da letto
Simple and just right

Comments

[Susan Jones]

Hello from Arizona
Hi Erica, Oops, pushed wrong button. Anyway we are enjoying your photos and updates. It all looks beautiful -- hope you have a sketchbook as well as a camera. Have a wonderful semester and enjoy your company at Spring Break. Love, Aunt Susan

[anonymous]

Great stuff Erica....it looks a little bit warmer than the last place I saw you (Winter Park). We are all thinking of you and wishing we were there...I expect to see more pics of the scenery on your updates. Go ahead and include the picture of the Italian boy you met...I'm sure your parents won't mind! Love, Uncle Greg