Fallan Skidmore, 21, is majoring in fine arts and arts administration at Drury University. She was in Florence, Italy, from June 1 to 29.            Her reaction" I Love Italy" 

Fallan Skidmore, 21, is majoring in fine arts and arts administration at Drury University. She was in Florence, Italy, from June 1 to 29. 

I wake early in the morning to the sound of Italians chatting outside my window. Within minutes, I'm out the door and walking to a favorite cafe. I'm greeted by the owners, an Albanian lady and her Italian boyfriend. I order the usual, cappuccino and chocolate croissant for breakfast.

After an hour, I pay three quarters, a discounted price because the owners adore us students, and go back to my ancient apartment.

At noon, everyone comes to our apartment to have our first class where we sit in the living room discussing culture and the significance of what we have discovered -- men's close relationships with other men, children running around without the close supervision of their parents, etc.

A few hours later, we are standing by Michelangelo's David for our next class, drawing this magnificent sculpture.

Afterward, a group of us explore the city. The smell of leather and baked goods fills our nostrils as we walk by the vendors.

In the evening, we all go out to eat. We are served wine and a bottle of water (which we must specify, natural versus fizzy).

One by one, we are served rather than all at once, and no one waits for another to receive their plate. That's simply bad manners because one is expected to eat the moment he or she is served.

After we all pay on one check because the waiters hate splitting it, we break up into small groups.

Some go to the clubs, others take a walk over the Ponte Vecchio bridge, while a few go back to their apartment and hang out.

At about 2 a.m., I finally drift off to sleep with one thought in my head, "I love Italy."

http://www.news-leader.com/article/20100815/NEWS04/
8150354/Study-away--In-Italy--no-waiting-for-all-to-be-served
 

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