The Surreal Life

At least once a day here I have moments where I stop and think about what I'm doing and where I am and it all feels so surreal--today's happened while I was sitting in my kitchen in the late afternoon snacking on a Caprese Salad Bri put together with the freshest mozzarella I've ever had and some unbelievably sweet-tasting tomatoes from the huge market near our apartment, with my hair still soaked from the spontaneous downpour that I got caught in on the way back from a friend's apartment. Working on homework is never at the top of my favorite activities list, but writing my Italian composition while listening to the slowing drizzle outside and looking out my kitchen window at the centuries old, beautiful apartment buildings next to us felt pretty perfect. (I'm also grateful to have a roomie who's willing to take the time to make delicious snacks, because I was about ready to stick with a PB&J)

Steered clear of the salami, but I could probably live off of that mozzarella. 

A few other of my "Is this real life" Moments so far:

First time ordering in only my broken Italian--satisfying both because the waiter understood me and because of the delicious lunch: tomatoes, mozzarella, and pesto on warm focaccia 

Realizing it literally takes me 15 seconds to walk to the Arno when I leave my apartment building, and having this as my view when I walk to school every morning.

First time stumbling on the Duomo--We were so busy staring at our map trying to find a grocery store on our first day in Florence, we didn't even pay attention to where we were, rounded a corner, looked up, and.... Duomo!

Delicious and beautiful--complimentary cocktails  on our first night in Italy from the chef we met who works in a restaurant in Chianti during the week and lives in Florence on the weekends.

Almost everything I've had so far in Europe has been delicious (the McDonald's fries I caved in and bought one late night in Barcelona being the standout exception), but this pizza from Gusta Pizza was the first "I have never had anything like this before, it's so good I don't want it to end" meal I've had. The sauce was on another plane from any I've ever had at home. 

Enjoying Gusta Pizza in Piazza Santo Spirito during our lunch break from school--it's right around the corner so I'm foreseeing me becoming a regular. 

Toasting with Bri to our night, delicious asparagus risotto,  and all-you-can-drink vino deals.

I'm going to continue to try my best to document all of the moments that stick out like these ones, and am still feeling so astounded and lucky right now to be here meeting wonderful people and doing wonderful things. Ciao!