Week #2: Adaptability

So much has already happened since my last entry, and it’s only been a little over a week. For starters, I took my first trip outside of Florence. I ventured to Siena for the day with Lily, Amanda, and Isabella. Last Friday, we took an early train out of Santa Maria Novella after a grueling 40-minute walk from our apartment. From there, we set off to beautiful sights and good food and of course, lots of walking. There, we visited the Piazza del Campo as well as the Duomo di Siena. Walking into the piazza took my breath away, it was beautiful. We bought a cheap meal once we got there and walked around the scenic city. It was a great first trip.

The following day, Amanda and I woke up early to do it all over again. This time we booked a trip to Pisa and Lucca for the day with the travel company, Smart Trip. The first stop was Pisa, and so far, I think it’s been my favorite spot since getting here. Seeing the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person was a surreal experience. I can compare the experience to when I first saw the Eiffel Tower two years ago, and I just felt absolutely speechless. It’s a matter of seeing pictures of the monument for so long and then finally seeing it for the first time in real life. I kept turning to Amanda, and all I could say was, “Oh my god.” Even the church and baptistry in front of the tower were magnificent. The Pisa Cathedral was the most beautiful church I’d ever seen. What really struck me was walking inside and seeing the golden ceiling above me. I learned that after a tragic fire, the Medici family of Florence sponsored to repair the roof. They didn’t do this out of the goodness of their heart, but because of Pisa’s optimal location near the water. So, even though the two cities are enemies, the Medici family funded to repair the ceiling so that they could have the opportunity to use the port. I found this incredibly exciting, and it’s something I wouldn’t have learned had I gone there by myself. After gawking at the Piazza dei Miracoli (The Piazza of Miracles), Amanda and I grabbed lunch at a restaurant and walked along the water to get some gelato. We quickly scurried back to the bus and went on our way to Lucca. Lucca didn’t really do it for either of us. The weather was damp and cold, and the shopping, although beautiful, was too expensive for our college budgets. Amanda and I wandered the streets only to afford small pastries at a bakery. However, I was able to cop a cute pair of Adidas sneakers at one of the stores. Overall, though, it was a great trip, and we got to see so many beautiful sites.

Church in Lucca

This past week was the first time I felt normal being here. Normal as in, the shock of having moved here has started to subside, and I feel like I somewhat have a routine now. I could tell my mood had shifted on Monday, and I felt super happy and comfortable. Even my friend Vraj commented on how happy I seemed. Since then, I’ve been in a good mood, and I feel like I’m finally starting to really adjust. What really excites me is that my parents and my younger sister will be visiting Italy in two weeks. Out of all my past semesters at Syracuse, this has been the first one where I feel like I miss them more than ever. I think what really makes me miss them is living with a host family. There are things I do with my host family, like family dinner, that’d I’d typically do with my family, and I think that’s why I miss them a lot. It’s like I’m doing “family things” but with another family. Dinners are what make me miss them the most. I think that once I see them in two weeks, I’ll feel a lot better being here.

If I could use one word to describe this week, I’d say it would be adaptability. I chose this word because this felt like the first week I felt at home. I feel like I say that to myself every day, but I’ve learned that adapting doesn’t come at an instant; it’s a process.

At the end of the week I have a school trip to Verona and Bologna! Here's to another great week!

Love, Sam ❤