Ciao! We woke up early Sunday morning, excited for a day at the sea shore, despite the fact that we had to rise early. We piled into the bus, and we absorbed the Italian countryside through the windows as we drove. When we finally reached the beach, our noses met with the salty, refreshing sea air. We passed the day filled with joyful leisure, ...
When I woke on Sunday, I was already feeling much better and more lively. I decided I was able to join the group for the day's adventures. Sunday was a great day weather-wise, and so we spent our day at the beach near Pisa. We were given a long time to just play in the ocean or on the beach, walk around the storefronts and vendors, or just ...
Tuesdays mean one of two things: Have an extremely leisurely day and enjoy the wonders of Florence (after your main class, of course) Go on one of the activities that Abbey Road offers I am in love with my fashion class! We are starting to create our own line of clothing for our final project. I am still unsure what my inspiration or ...
We have come to the beginning of our second week here, and I still feel a sense of childlike awe whenever I wander the streets of Firenze. Once morning and afternoon classes are done, we are given the opportunity to embrace the Florentine culture on our own. I have roamed the endless cobblestone roads, becoming enamored by the quaint cafes and ...
From landing for the first time in Europe to now forgetting that I'm a tourist, yesterday marked the end of an inspiring first week in Firenze. Thursday afternoon, we hiked up the dizzying spiral steps to the top of the Duomo, which hosted breathtaking views of the city and the red-tiled buildings nestled into the side of the dark blue-green ...
After a whole week of classes and activities, unwinding by going to the city of Lucca was perfect. When we arrived at Lucca, we had free time to walk around with friends, shop, and eat lunch. The town was filled with cute shops and street performers either singing or selling artwork. After a few hours to spend amongst our friends, we met back ...
On Wednesday night, we went on an excursion to the infamous Ponte Vecio. In the inky darkness, the twinkling lights reflected the outlines of the buildings lining the Arno to create a mesmerizing, fairytale-like atmosphere. On the walk back to the apartment, we were astounded by a group of talented street performers who allowed us to discover ...
Thursday night we had a soccer game amongst the students at a local, outdoor turf field. It was a blast to see all of those who participated release a competitive side and showcase their athleticism. I slept like a log after all the running in the games and then challenging my roommate, Ben, to a race home. On Friday, I had my first quiz in ...
My first full weekend with Abbey Road in Florence was wonderful! We went to a small town called Lucca, the beach, and the Leaning Tower of Pisa. We went to Lucca on Saturday, and it was one of my favorite places so far. Lucca is a very small town that is surrounded by huge walls that acted as protection years ago. During our time in Lucca, we ...
After a short breakfast together, we dove right into things and set out to see the Agora. The Agora, which means “open space,” was the meeting place for the democracy of ancient Athenian citizens. It is home to numerous ancient monuments, including the very well-preserved Temple of Hephaestus. We briefly took some time off to indulge in ...