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"Wherever you go, there's something at which to marvel."

This morning found me lounging about my casa bella sharing a glass of fresh squeezed Sicilian orange juice with Paola, my host mother. She is always cooking up amazing Italian treats for me! Her simple, healthy meals are infused with so many natural flavors of hot red pepper, garlic, and olive oil. Honestly, the only thing disappointing about mealtime is when it's over.

It snowed in Parma today! The scene outside my window this afternoon was a delicate winter wonderland laced with frosting. Since it was so chilly, Paola and I worked together to get the fireplace going and relaxed as the flames danced and hypnotized us both. Over the warmth of the hearth, we conversed in italian (hers perfect, mine still broken). She learns english words from me, and I learn italian conversation from her. When I hosted a few of my Boston College friends for the afternoon and dinner, Paola welcomed them in. She gave them some cooking tips as we all worked on the meal together. The gelato that we had for dessert was probably the best I have ever tasted. I am getting adjusted to life/food in Parma very quickly and I have my first cooking class this Wednesday with a cute older woman named Anna. 

Some notable things I forgot to mention about the first week in Florence:

There was a Carousel. I have loved these from a very young age &was so happy to take a midnight ride on the colorful painted horses that lit up the piazza. Also, walking by the Duomo at night can be very eerie and extremely awe-inspiring. Everything is so perfect, you feel like you are in Disney World. 

Damien Hurst's "For The Love of God" at Palazzo Vecchio. A skull entirely covered in diamonds, worth about 99 million dollars. A work of modern art, in a palace whose name literally means 'old.' Stunning. 

While in Florence, we took a short scenic bus trip to a small village called Fiesole. Hiking to the top of the hilly area was entirely worth it, as we saw a view of the Duomo and Florence skyline that was INCREDIBLE. We had lunch in a small cafe at this deserted town before descending the mountain.