Explorations

Ciao,
Yesterday Brooke, Christy and ventured over to the other side of time in an attempt to find the free shuttle that runs to Ikea. We wanted to get some bigger comforters for our beds, a rug, and a lamp... the bus station that we were directed to, however, was not only impossible to navigate, but we're pretty sure the shuttle only runs on Sundays. So after a lot of asking around (in our best italian) we decided to ditch the Ikea idea and explore the part of the city we haven't been to yet. We walked for about three blocks and ended up running into the Duomo and Baptistry. It was the most amazing sight- the highest cathedral and most ornately decorated facade I've ever seen. It was definitely a high point during the day. I didn't have my camera with me (which was a huge mistake) so we vowed to come back in a few days and take a whole album worth of pictures. After we got our fill of the Duomo we walked a few blocks north and ran into, believe it or not, a McDonalds. Although we were surrounded by the best restaurants and italian food in the world, we couldn't help but go in and try french fries from another country, which were, to my surprise, really good! After lunch, we wandered around and ended up finding a store that sold these amazing light fixtures, plugs, hair dryers, and other appliances that we were in desperate need of. We couldn't go another day without a straightener so we split one of those as well. The owner was this really sweet italian man who had actually lived in the states a few years ago so he gave us a list of some local spots that he said was a good place to meet italian college students, and not just americans. It's so crazy that so many americans are studying abroad in Florence. I'd say everywhere we walk we hear English-- or see american students our age.
Our last stop of the day was at Coin, which is the big department store in Florence. We got some wine glasses for our apartment and a few things for our kitchen. Brooke, who I'm learning will stop at every store and every leather market if we gave her the chance, bought make-up and shoes and probably would have gotten more if we didn't pull her away! I know she'll be a great shopping partner when I decide to actually get some leather, which is EVERYWHERE! Every bag, jacket and glove is literally beautiful and smooth and so impossible not to touch. I want to buy everything I see, so it will be really difficult to pick my favorite.
Anyways, after the day of walking around we had to nap a little before we made our first dinner in our apartment, which was... of course, pasta. We bought the most incredible parmagiano from the market next door, which for anyone that knows me, is my weakness. YUMMMM

More details on the food later. I'm off to lunch and another day of wonderful explorations.
Ciao for now!