Ciao Firenze! (Pt 1)

Day 15

Today I left Rome for the first time since my arrival two weeks ago.  A group of friends and I decided that, as much as we love Rome, it was time to start exploring the rest of Italy.  That's not to say we have seen all Rome has to offer (not by a long shot), but weekdays offer a lot of time between classes to continue our exploration of the Eternal City.

So where to go on our first adventure outside Rome's walls? Venice would be the logical choice (seeing as it is the middle of Carnevale, and they will be partying it up before Lent hits on Wednesday).  However, Trinity Rome has a pre-planned trip to Venice in two weeks (never say no to a pre-planned and pre-paid trip).  So instead we decided to head to Florence!

Just about everyone of my friends jumped at the opportunity. Once the list of everyone got hammered out, we went to the travel agent and got a group ticket (20% off!) and then booked ourselves beds in a hostel smack-dab in the middle of the city. With all that done by Tuesday, there was nothing left but to sit and anticipate the weekend.

Bags packed as light as possible (my entire weekends needs fit in my regular school bag, including a towel. I was so proud), we took off for the train.  Because we got the cheapest possible ticket, we all settled down for a 3+ hour train ride through the country. The trip made it clear why so many famous artists come out of Italy.  Even my poor excuse for a right brain wanted to take down the vistas, even if I could only do so via my camera. And to think its only February, and everything is pretty brown.  I haven't even got there and I'm already planning a return trip in a April, just for the scenery.

As beautiful as the ride was, I now understand what Oscar Wilde means when he has Gwendolyn say "I never travel without my diary. One should always have something sensational to read on the train." The highlights from inside our railcar included Annie dancing to the beat of her own iPod, Nish doing an eyebrow wiggle whenever he took a break from his sketch pad, and Ali and Bismar making faces as they tried to pop their ears.   Luckily, I really do always travel with my diary.

Ciao
J