Exploring the City

Weekends are nice here.  That sounds insufficient.  Florence is worth of your time and it always has something new in store for you. This weekend (October 1st through the 4th) we were presented with a blessing in disguise.  We all had planned to go out into the Tuscan country side for wine harvesting, but our plans fell through, so we were 'forced' to stay in Florence.  But we really needed it.  We hadn't explored any of the museums yet, so we did.  The Accademia and Uffizi are mind boggling.  Miles and miles of exquisite art to overload your senses.  But we also got to experience what typical Florentine weekends are like.  They are lively, joyful, relaxing and full of fabulous food.  The piazza of Santa Croce held this huge international market full of everything.  Let's just say that we ate here every day, a couple times a day.  German candy... yes, German sausages with grilled onions, sauerkraut and mustard... yes please, Belgium crepes... definitely.  An entire square devoted to satisfy any craving you might have that day.  

This is the way you absorb another culture.  You whole heartedly devote yourself to be susceptible to your surroundings.  Yes you can walk down a street, walk through a piazza, or sit down on the steps of a church, but what good does that do you? You have to observe and absorb.  You have to break down your preconceived notions of what life should be like and allow yourself to experience what life truly is like.  I think that's one of the greatest lessons to learn while studying abroad and in life.  What fun is life if you are never allow yourself to be surprised by something new?