It's such a crazy thought that I will be leaving Florence in less than two weeks. A place that was once so foreign to me has really become a home away from home over these past four months. If you would have asked me in the beginning if I would miss this place, I would have definitely said no, feeling homesick and lost. I now have my spots for food, my support system, and routine here. Although there are some things about America that I miss, I have become so emerged in Italian culture that I am unsure about leaving all this behind.
1. Via Torta 9
This is the address of my apartment, the place that I call my home out here in Florence. The place where I was first dropped off and couldn't figure out the elaborate lock system for the life of me. So many amazing memories happened here from meeting the local girl with the fur coat to spending nights in with my friends. It's a weird thought that on May 4th I will be handing in my keys and saying a final farewell to this place, that another group of study abroad students will soon call this place home. I am ready, yet at the same time already planning the Via Torta reunion episode.
2. The Lion's Fountain
If I am not a home, odds are I am probably at Lion's whether it be doing homework during the day or enjoying a night out with my friends. A short walk from my house (less than a few hundred feet), this bar has really become my spot. I know all of the workers there and have achieved regular status with my tee shirt (20 punches later haha). I am going to miss passing by this place and having everyone say hello as I walk home to Via Torta.
3. Le Vespe Cafe
You can find me here every Tuesday and Thursday between my 12 and 1:30 classes. This place seriously has the BEST brunch in the world. I am not kidding—sometimes I wake up craving The Finch (grilled cheese with caramelized onions and bacon)! I definitely wish that one would open up back in America because the withdrawals will most definitely be real.
4. Gemma
I was really nervous about having to learn Italian while studying abroad. I have never been good at speaking other languages, so I definitely was not looking forward to it. Gemma is seriously the best professor I have ever had. She actually makes me look forward to going to Italian class. Each lesson is fun and engaging, plus the students in that class are super friendly as well. I wish all of my professors at Penn State could be like Gemma.
5. Margarita Mondays at Tijuana
After a weekend of traveling, my friends and I always look forward to meeting here for our nightly margaritas and chats. It is a good opportunity for us to get all caught up with what is going on in everyone's lives because we study at different schools in Florence.
6. Traveling
I feel like after studying abroad, the rest of my life is going to be SOOO boring. Before this, I have never left the country and now I have been to ten different ones. It is so exciting being able to travel anywhere in Europe during the weekends and so cheaply too! The places I have been to are truly one-of-a-kind and have exposed me to so many different cultures and perspectives on life.
7. My Florence friends
Deciding to study abroad somewhere where I did not know anyone beforehand was definitely scary and difficult at first. I was so nervous that I would never find my people here. However, for the first time in my life, I was able to escape my reputation of being that "Instagram famous" guy at Penn State and find people who wanted to get to know me for me. This was such a freeing feeling and taught me so much about myself. I want to thank each and every one of you for helping me to find my happy and I cannot wait to visit you all back in the states.
8. My art class
When I was younger, I used to draw all the time and always wished that I continued to improve upon this passion of mine. One of my classes in Florence was figuring drawing in the studio basement of our school building. Not only was I able to form close friendships by taking this class, but I was also able to become a better artist, something that I am so proud of.
9. Sunsets at Piazzale Michelangelo
I thought that State College had some pretty spectacular sunsets, but I could not be more wrong! The hike up to Michelangelo is definitely worth it with beautiful views of the entire city. This is the perfect spot for me and my friends to go to after classes and hang out before dinner.
10. Trattoria Pizzeria Dante
This place is a must for any student studying abroad...amazing food and unlimited, free wine say less! I have had no many great memories here with my friends before going out for the night that I will cherish forever.
Here are just a few of the many things that I will miss about the beautiful city of Florence. It is going to be hard leaving all of this behind in just a matter of a few days. However, I am optimistic that I will return here someday soon and experience the magic of abroad all over again!
Ciao for now, Florence
Ethan
