Foods of the World - in one weekend

This weekend I stayed in Florence. The school had a trip to Rome, but I was just there, and I didn’t plan anything else to do, so I was here. On Friday, I slept in really late and decided to go to the gym when I got up. I was walking down the street when I ran into Katie and Kathleen. They were going to Ari’s for American Brunch. I decided to join them. Brunch was SO GOOD! I haven’t had food like that in a really long time! There are two restaurants in Florence that offer American style brunch, but I have never really had a chance to go before. I had an omelet with turkey bacon, onions, and cheddar cheese. Man, cheddar cheese is delicious! It also came with some potatoes and toast. For the toast they gave me the best jam I believe I have ever had. I think it was huckleberry. I put as much on the toast as could possibly fit. We all ordered an “American Coffee” too. The coffee comes in a big mug (which is what I think makes it American) and they give you a spoonful of homemade chocolate chips to put in it. Brunch ended up taking over two hours because we just sat there and talked for a long time. But they never brought us the check, even after two hours we had to ask for it!

Dinner was another fun time. I went to a Mexican restaurant (Tijuana’s). I had enchiladas and a peach daiquiri. The daiquiri was really good; it has chunks of fresh peach in it. After dinner we went to Finnegan’s (an Irish bar). At Finnegan’s the news was on and it was showing breaking coverage about Hilary Clinton’s campaign office in New Hampshire. I rarely hear about news from back home. We were also the only people in the bar at 11:00 on a Friday night! We didn’t stay very long though. Back at my pensione I worked on a paper for a few hours before going to bed.

Saturday morning I got up sort of early and went to a really boring museum. I went as research for a paper I am working on, so it was good in that sense. It was deserted; I was the only person there. It was a topography museum and I guess Florentines don’t like to look at maps as much as I do. Anyways, after the museum, I walked around town because I wanted to find the Christmas markets (there should be three this weekend). But I could only find the German themed one. It was really cute, but I didn’t buy anything. For lunch I for a kebab! Kebabs have become one of my most favorite foods. Then for dinner I went to Chinese food. Chinese food here is sort of bland, I think Safeway has better.

Today I haven’t really done anything. After I finish writing this little blog I am going to do some readings for school. My group for economics is meeting tonight to work on our presentations (Economics of the Olympics).

I did go shopping and I bought a dress to wear to the school Christmas party. Our Christmas party is on Tuesday. They wanted to have the party before Finals. I really can’t believe that this semester is almost over! It feels like I just got here. But in just a few weeks I will in China for Christmas!

We are leaving for China on my birthday, which is exciting but it sort of sucks for me. It’s an overnight flight, so it will be over before we get there. The school split us up into 2 groups, one flies from Florence and the other has to take a bus to Rome and fly through there. I am in the Florence group and for our flight we have a layover in Frankfurt so it will be my birthday in three countries!