Two Star Hotel, where the stars dont mean anything.

HOLY ZANG.
this has been the longest week of my life. Over all its been good. But it has been one long crazy hectic week. I cant believe I was in Rochester only 7 days ago.

I moved to my beautiful new tiny apartment on wednesday. It was a really long day of trains planes airports and cars.  I've discovered that I love going new places, but i kinda hate traveling. oh well. you gotta do it i guess.

Florence is amazing. View from my window: 

 ive been so overwhelmed. Major culture shock. everything is different, i cant read or speak italian, and i have no idea where anything is.
But, eveything is so beautiful and fun and exciting and new! its been very weird.
Im starting to know my way around a little. I got kinda lost the first day, but there are enough landmarks that its easy to find yourself again. and i found my way to the market and back by myself yesterday. I was so proud.
The history in this place is out of control. The city center was built during the Renaissance an the rest was built in mid-evil times. We just don't have anything like that in America.

It is the most surreal thing to turn a corner and suddenly be confronted by an enormous monument that you have only seen in art history text books.  I almost cried when I first saw the Duomo. It is absolutly flawless. I hope the amazement of it never wears off. Its so huge that i feel like a miniature mini midget dwarf pygmy toad in comparison.

 I cant get the whole thing in one picture.
I've been sketching everyday. I cant wait for my sketchbook class to start. 

I think I may have met a kindred spirit today. so thats good.

I miss you all.