The Institute at Palazzo Rucellai - Study Abroad in Florence, Italy

I spent some time this week reflecting on all the things I’ve done here, and all the things I still want to do.  With no big plans, it seemed as though I was wasting time.  Shouldn’t I be jetting off to Paris, or London?  Comparatively, this week was some what bland… No trips to other countries, or even other cities.  Just a regular week of classes.  But have I really grown so accustomed to living here that I can’t still get a thrill out of a week in Florence?  And do I really think I have enough time here to take a single day for granted?  I don’t think so.

While this week wasn’t quite as notable as others, I took special care to enjoy my everyday adventures in Florence.  With the second half of the semester well underway, I had class each day in the still-breathtaking Palazzo Rucellai.  On Monday night I went out with friends for dinner, and on Tuesday I went to the movies.  The days are shorter now, so I often find myself walking in the dark.  The city is beautiful at night, and soon they’ll be turning on the Christmas lights being strung along the streets.
Right after class on Wednesday, I went on a special tour of the Secret Passageways of Palazzo Vecchio.  This palace was once the home of Florence’s ruling family, the Medici, and is still a traditional symbol of Florentine government.  It contains important art works by Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci, as well as other artists who contributed to the palace’s decoration.  Beginning with Cosimo I, special apartments were constructed for the ruling Medici.  Within these apartments were private rooms, designed to house the treasures of the family.  The rooms were carefully decorated, with painted doors disguising secret passageways and cabinets.  Even with our behind-the-scenes tour, it was sometimes difficult to understand the secrets of the apartments.

 
Unfortunately I had to devote most of my weekend to catching up on homework and laundry, but I also took some time to get out and enjoy the city.  I spent some time at my favorite bakery, ate some delicious Italian pizza, and bought myself a new leather purse.  There was a special market in Piazza Republica for the weekend, where I spent the better part of my day on Saturday.  Most of the vendors were selling things typical of the autumn season, including fresh olive oil, wine, apples, and cheese.  I wandered through the booths with my friend Sarah, and we took advantage of the opportunity to enjoy some gelato and do a little people-watching.  It was a beautiful fall day, and I was happy to be able to quietly enjoy yet another day in Florence.

Submitted by Anne Hartman, Fall 2010