Ciao amici! At last, I AM HERE!!! :)  As soon as the plane touched down, I fell instantly in love! It is more beautiful than I ever imagined!  Walking off the plane, I could see the Alps in the distance - it was absolutely breathtaking!


Maria, my host mother, was waiting for me inside, almost as excited as I was.  After we packed up the car, she drove me all around the city to show me the sites, as we tried to speak Italian to each other.  All I could say was "che bellissimo!" as I looked around me.  I have never seen a place so beautiful.  We then went home to our cute little apartment and I met my host brother, Mathias! He is very nice, but does not speak English very well.  He is 25 and lives in the apartment too.


After I settled in, I had a group dinner at All'Orologio with all 40 of the students in my program. It was so much fun!  Six different courses were brought out to us, and all of it was delicious!  With every bite, I had to stop and make sure I hadn't died and gone to heaven. Honestly, that's how I've felt this whole trip. After dinner, some of us ventured out and explored the city together.


The next day started early with breakfast at "Ippopotamo" and an orientation at Idea Verona (our school)!  After that, we all went on a VERY long walking tour of the city!  And when I say long, I mean 6-7 hours long - my feet were about to fall off!  At first, it was very confusing getting around the city, but finding my way has gotten much easier over the past few days. I have never gotten more lost anywhere in my life!  Asking for directions proves to be even harder because my Italian is not that great, but I always seem to get there sooner or later. :)


After a long day, we unwound at a pizzeria made out of an old church called "San Mateo."  The pizza was amazing!  I just can't seem to get enough fresh mozzarella!  After, we went out to Campus Bar to have a few drinks and relax.  I'm having so much fun with my group - everyone is so close already, it's hard to believe we've only been here for one weekend.


Here are some things I saw/did this weekend:

1. Castel San Pietro! -  So beautiful!

2. La casa di Giulietta (Juliet's house!)

Juliet

The Balcony!

Locks of LOVE! - locked to Juliet's gate.

3. La moda in Italia - Italy's great fashion!

4. Ridiculous Americanized Graphic Tees - so random! 

5. My first gelato! I was SO excited!!

Enjoying some gelato after dinner! 

6. The Alps in the distance! 

 7. My school! 

8. The most gorgeous view of Verona from Torre dei Lamberti!

Claudio, our resident director, pointing places out to us! 

9. Castelvecchio 

 The bridge inside!

The view from the bridge inside!

10. Ice rink in the center of the city - next to the Arena! 

11. Piazza Erbe 

These past few days have been such an adventure and I can't believe I'm so blessed to get this opportunity to spend my next four months here!  It's seriously unbelievable! Thank you all for reading this, too, it means so much to me! I miss you all very much. 


A presto,
Lynne