Ciao! I flew in yesterday (May 20) to Florence at 2pm - interesting flight experience to say the least, considering I had only been from Birmingham to New Orleans twice. I definitely set off some kind of "hazardous material" alarm in the Birmingham airport and had to be patted down and searched, nearly missed my flight from Philadelphia to Frankfurt by about a minute, and the gate number at Frankfurt to Florence had been changed without my knowledge. Regardless of the mess, I made it safely! There was definitely a few moments on the way over where I was already feeling homesick and wasn't sure what I was getting myself into... but as soon as I arrived I felt not only excited but very much at home...I may never leave!

I live in an apartment on vio del Pucci -as in Emilo Pucci :) - with 4 other girls. They are all very different but all very fun and nice. It's interesting how people you wouldn't normally hang out with can become such fast friends. Our apartment is actually pretty nice too. I share a room with one girl, and I don't think there will be any problems with it at all.

We did a little walking around, and by that I mean getting lost and finding new ways back. Definitely had some gelato, cafe, wine, pasta and pizza, and I've scoped out some places to buy gifts, leather bags and shoes. I think Florence is really going to suit me.