Hello again! I did manage to get all my work finished, and even talk with Libby about her papers. Libby, just for a heads up, is my roommate from KU who I managed to drag along with me. Also, she is good with her French, so it will be great when we get to Paris. It's great now too! I have someone to wander around with, try new things and feel overwhelmed together.

Oh so about getting my work finished. . . well I forgot to read the first chapter of Kundera for European Studies. But that's okay, we mostly talked about WWII and the beginnings of communism in eastern Europe.

Speaking of class, let me set up a typical day for you. MTWR, we have class from 9 to 12. Western Civ first, and then Art History: Art and Architecture of Florence and Paris or European Studies: Europe since 1945 on alternating days. In Florence, we have Western Civ I, Western Civ II will be in Paris--so we have it every day. In the afternoon, we have 'site visits.' Today we went to the cathedral, bapistry and campinile, all affectionately known as the Duomo. Duomo means dome in Italian. On Fridays, we have 'excursions.' Last week we went to Fisole, which is 20 minutes outside of Florence. We looked at Roman ruins and the spectactular view.

The Duomo was beautiful, as was the Bapistry. The bapistry is an octagon, with a dome and mosaics all over the ceiling. Very impressive. The dome of the cathedral is painted on the inside, by Vasari. His use of perspective is phenomenal. You feel as though heaven opened up and there really are people and angels on clouds floating around. Really amazing. I can't imagine being able to go to Mass in churchs as beautiful as this all the time. Very inspirational.

Tomorrow we are going to Ravenna. Apparently to look at Byzantine churches. I don't think I spelled that correctly. Ah well. Yes, Ravenna tomorrow morning. Dante was burried there as well. Then in the afternoon, we're taking the train to Venice. I'm glad I will get to see Venice before it SINKS. We'll be back from Venice on Sunday night. So there's the end of my week. I'll let you know how it was when I get back. Until then, have a good weekend.

 
Well, sometime when I have a bit of free time I'll fill everyone in on what's happened up until now. Tomorrow I have a paper due for Western Civ (which I've finished) and a detailed outline for our final, comprehensive project due in Art History (which I have not finished). Oh and some Aristotle to read. No big deal, I'm on European time, right? . . . Today we went to the Musuem del Duomo. Basically all of the original art--painting, sculpture, balconies, door panels, etc.--has been removed, copied and replaced. All the originals are in this museum. It was a lot of art in a small space. I wonder who operates these museums--the church or the Italian government? Beautiful things though. Donatello's Mary Magdalane.
Last night we saw "Madame Butterfly" at the Teatro Comunale. A cultural experience to be sure. I've never been to an opera. Besides the fact that I couldn't understand the lyrics, it was beautiful. From the sets to the costuming, it was well put together.
Okay, well it's almost midnight here folks, which means the lady who works here is coming to kick me out. So buona sera! I'm out. . . or up 139 stairs to finish that outline. .

 
22 Jan 2003
We moved into our apartments on Friday the 17th. We have a cell phone (split between the six girls in our apartment). The number is 339.248.1407. You probably need an italian code before it, but incoming calls are free for us.
When you come in to the apartment, there's a little room off to the side. It had a bed room with a little kitchen in from and its own bathroom. It's like a grandmother's room or something. Then you enter the living room, with a dining table over towards the window. It's 139 stairs up, so you can see the whole city. Then off that room is bedroom with the same view and its own window, and a bath/lanudry room. Then you go upstairs, and you see our little kitchen. Well it's long and rectangular, with a bench alond the eaves. But it gets cramped because of its design and six girls. Eh. Then there's a bathroom with a tub/shower, and a seperate shower, toilet and large counter. Then there's Libby and I's bedroom. It's not too small, about the size of Zak's room, with two twin cot-like things. But we have three windows--two above our beds, pointing out the other way from the downstairs window. We can see the Duomo and its dome, and the campanile. Right down the street is Santa Croce, which we visit as a class tomorrow.
Yesterday we visited the Uffizi, which was amazing. The best Italian Renaissance art collection in the world. I saw so many classics you'd never believe it-- the Annunciation by da Vinci, birth of Venus by Botticelli, on and on and on. It was overwhelming. But beautiful.

 
Hello one and all! I decided a diary was the best way to let everyone hear about my time abroad. Hopefully I'll get a comments section soon. Until then, I'll try to fill you in on what's happened so far.