Ecco (Here is) Lisa’s latest blog post! If you haven’t read her previous entries, they’re here: Guest Blog Part 2, Guest Blog Part 1
In breve (in breief), Lisa, one of my students, is living her sogno (dream) by spending sette settimane (seven weeks) a Firenze (in Florence), where she has affittato un’appartamento (rented an apartment) and si è iscritta (she has enrolled) a una scuola di lingua italiana (in an Italian language school) — un sogno condiviso da molti (a dream shared by many). Lisa is sharing le sue esperienze (her experiences) in a series of guest blogs that I am featuring here on my website.
Dear Firenze,
I cannot thank you enough for being such a splendid host for my Toscana visit. In such a short time, I have learned about the magnificent art masters who built the foundation of Italian art, how the Etruscans were the first to settle here high up in the hills of Fiesole overlooking your valley, that Hitler used you as his Italian headquarters with Mussolini during WWII and how he spared you from ruin with his love for your beauty, about the delicious culinary creations such as schiacciata (special bread with grapes made only during harvest time) and so many of your other unique qualities.
One of Firenze’s narrow, winding streets
I am proud of myself for being brave enough to navigate the spiral labyrinths of your cobble stoned streets and always finding my way home, buying a ticket to ride the bus, for mastering how to buy a ticket on Trenitalia, speaking only Italian while interacting with your amazing people, going out to eat alone and not feeling out of place and buying two beautiful Italian outfits…with many more to come!
Un negozio di moda a Firenze (A clothing store in Florence)
I enjoy waking up with the peals of the bells from the Duomo, setting my clock by the deliveries to the restaurants and markets on my little narrow street, having a later lunch and a small snack for dinner and even all of the kilometers I walk every day to meander my way to the next adventure.
Il Campanile di Giotto (Giotto’s belltower)
This next week should bring even more wonder and amazement to my Italian adventure! Between the classical music concerts, class work, visiting friends in Bologna, and touring the Tuscan countryside this next weekend, I feel certain I will have even more reasons to be in love with the most fantastic small city and the most intriguing country…Italia!
Abbracci,
Lisa DeLucchi
Ecco some Italian vocabulary from Lisa’s blog post:
- to be brave: essere coraggioso(a)
- cobble stone streets: le strade a ciottoli (ciottolo = pebble or cobblestone)
- speak only Italian: parlare solo italiano
- buy a beautiful Italian outfit: comprare un bel completo italiano
- peals of the bells: lo scampanio, or il suono di campane
- deliveries to the restaurants: le consegne ai ristoranti
- meander: gironzolare
- wonder and amazement: meraviglia e stupore
Have you been to Firenze? What do you love most about this city? If not, what do you dream of doing there?
Your comments are welcome!
My dream is to travel to Italy and visit the famous Renaissance works of art. Firenze in particular is the center of my dream. David is waiting, you know. I must not disappoint him.
Barbara Spyrou