Fe, Fi, Fo, Fran

Yesterday afternoon we took a walking tour of Florence and I think we must have seen the entire city. I did not find it dark, but brilliant and flooded with activity from tourists and natives. We met up with a Georgetown professor - a Florentine the university decided to employ for his knowledge of history. He gave us a thorough tour that divided the city into three distinct squares: political (Piazza de la Signoria), economic (Piazza de la Republica), and religious (Piazza de Duomo). We also spent quite a bit of time learning about the Medici family and the debate over whether Florence was the Medicis' city or the city of the Medicis. I never figured out which our tour guide leaned toward.

One other bit of news: my bag has been located! It was only a small bag, with nothing truly necessary in it, but thanks to Daddy, JM, and AB I am looking forward to getting it - hopefully it will be dropped off tomorrow while I am in Siena. Saturday is looking like Pisa and Sunday we're all going on a wine tour around Tuscany. Last night was spent at a pub in Fiesole, where most of us helped RK celebrate her birthday. Our bartenders, Francesco and Francesca (seriously), laughed at us when we tried to take pictures of the Georgetown flag that hangs at the top of the bar - I suppose all Georgetown studentsfind their way up there if they're living at the Villa. Between the piano, the gardens, class, trips around Italy, and nights in Fiesole and Florence, I'm not sure how I'm going to get any sleep in the next few weeks!

After class this afternoon I sat in the gardens and read. A breeze was blowing through the trees and when I looked up I could see all of Florence below me, so I took off my shoes and felt generally as if I could be in a Jane Austen novel. Of course, she wasn't much for Italy, so I suppose it would have to have been something more like a Forrester novel, but despite the Fiesole-Firenze-Forreste-Francesco/a alliteration, that scenario didn't seem nearly as romantic.

There is a little sausage dog here sometimes named Ernesto. He follows SM around and barks ferociously whenever anyone buzzes at the gate, even though his belly only clears the ground by about an inch. I hope he is not around when someone arrives to drop my bag off with AB. If you just hear Ernesto bark and don't actually see him, you can be pretty intimidated. Ernesto does not add to the romance of the Villa, but he is rather playful and a good watchdog. He's definitely more of a Forrester character than an Austen one.

Tonight we're heading into Florence to check out the bars around there. I have started a collection of cardboard coasters for SB that get a little squished because I carry them around in the back pocket of my jeans. I think she'll still appreciate them (hint, hint, SB). Right now I'm going to join the rest of the group in the gardens for an after-supper wine party. Life at the Villa is very difficult. I would recommend it only to those who enjoy literature, beauty, music, good conversation, great food, exceptional wine, sitting outdoors, rooms with a view (but not necessarily Forrester), and some fun. :)