So much for starting off on a better foot..

I felt much better this morning. So much that I thought I could eat a yogurt. Big mistake. Especially before going on a two hour walking tour in the cold. I started feeling nauseous and lightheaded but I tried my best to stick it out. After the tour, I walked back in the city by myself with my map because I didn't want my roommates to have to walk back with me. There were lots of people on the street, walking, biking, driving, mopeding, shopping- but I felt alone. It was cold, cloudy and kind of disgusting. I hopped into my bed when I got back to my apartment and fell asleep for 5 hours. I woke up, just in time to skype with my mom! Highlight of my day. Since I've been feeling so sick and napping so often, I haven't been able to participate much. My roommates have been off exploring while I'm at home sleeping, and I can imagine almost everyone else is doing the same. When I do go out, like on the tour this morning, I'm not very sociable because socializing is the last thing I want to be doing when I'm not feeling well. I haven't read my Italian book, nor the survival booklet they gave us because I've either been out or napping. I don't know my way around. I'm surrounded by foreigners but at the same time I feel like a foreigner. I don't trust them. I can't speak their language. I know I have to take this day by day. If tomorrow is sunny, and my stomach feels fine, I know I will be saying how much Florence rocks. My goal for tonight will be to learn some new italian words and phrases that I can practice using tomorrow. Aside from scrounging up something to eat, I will study this survival book. Tomorrow I will go to my academic orientation, work on practicing my words/phrases, taking a trip to IKEA for necessities, and meet some new people. Great plan.

The worst luck

After having the longest traveling day ever (we had a 8 hour delay in Frankfurt because of a snow storm) we arrived at our hotel for 2 day orientation. Immediately upon arrival I treated myself to a shower and fresh clothes. I met both of my roommates, both of which are incredibly cool and hilarious. Both girls are taller than me, in fact most of the friends I’ve made so far are my height or taller- now I feel short for a change! We had a great first meal and hit the sheets early to get rid of our jet lag. We woke up at 7:30 am for breakfast (typical croissants, fruit and yogurt) and our day consisted of, a city tour, a little exploring of our own, pasta for lunch, a housing meeting and the worst luck of my life. By dinner time, my stomach starting feeling a little off. I stayed behind as my roommates went out to dinner, and my subtle stomach pains turned into hours of me puking my brains out. I couldn't keep anything down and when there was nothing else left, I started dry heaving. First plan of action- call mom. This, I was reluctant to do because I didn't want her to worry about me. I gave in. I called mom and cried hysterically not only because of how sick I felt but because I was scared, not being at home in a comfortable place. Both my roommates were out so I was alone for the majority of the night. I'm not exaggerating when I say that I felt like I was dying. My mom convinced me to call the resident director for my program. I did and she sent a doctor to see me. I was pretty convinced it was food poisoning- either that or some incurable Italian disease. But they thought it was some sort of virus. I got a shot in my butt (uncomfortable) to stop the nausea. It helped but it took me awhile to fall asleep because my stomach was still aching and I was shivering so much from having a fever. Eventually I passed out.

I felt a little better this morning, just in time to move into our apartment! We're living right by the river Arno, which is nice because going shopping will be cheaper on the other side of the river (away from the tourist spots). The apartment is cozy, and has beautiful hardwood floors. I have my own room AND my own bathroom. Our building is filled mainly with students from my program but I haven't had a chance to meet many of them. We have an elevator too which will come in handy when we're getting groceries.

Today I also had my first grocery shopping experience. We got a little lost finding it and without knowing Italian, managed to communicate with some non-english speaking locals who pointed us in the right direction. Finding what we needed was a little challenging because everything is written in Italian. I wanted to get milk for cereal but milk here comes in cartons that aren't refrigerated. I don't think it's real milk. Looks like I wont be drinking any milk this semester. While at the grocery store we met an American woman who has been living here for 5 years. She gave us some tips and called a cab for us to to take back to our apartment. She even told us that this particular grocery store takes orders online and can deliver groceries to our apartment for 5 euro. That beats the 9 euro we spent getting a lift back in the cab!

Now that I'm recovering, I think things will start looking up when I'm back on my feet. I haven't been feeling well enough to go out and take pictures so I will start tomorrow onward and I will start to describe the city in more depth. I will be sure to post some videos within the next day or so too! Stay tuned.

As the days creep by, I can feel myself becoming more and more anxious. I know what Christine meant when she said that it didn’t really hit her until all of her SMC friends were back at school. I’ve spent the past few days on my phone calling and/or texting ALL of my friends at SMC asking how they are and how their couple days of classes have gone. It’s pretty ridiculous. I’ve desperately been trying to find any way possible to get myself back up to Vermont so I can be united with my SMC loves once more before I depart. Apart of me feels like I should be back there- like I’m missing out, but I know that I’ll be facing an incredible experience soon enough.

I’ve been trying not to put too much thought into Italy- as not to psych myself out before I get there. This however, has prevented me from becoming excited about the trip. A few days ago I found out whom I will be living with in Florence. For the first time I couldn’t contain my excitement. I had to tell everyone about my new roommates. I’m living with two girls- one from southern California and the other from Minnesota. We’re all from completely different regions! The coolest. I have the single and the two girls have the double. I was pleasantly surprised to find out I had a single (which my mom secretly requested)- It’ll be great to have a small group of girls living together and also being able to enjoy my private space.

Now that I’m approaching my 7 day countdown I’m beginning to feel a bit nervous. I’m expecting this week to consist of many high and low points as the reality sets in. Most of the time it kind of just feels like I’m taking a trip for a short few weeks- sometimes I can’t figure out what the big deal is. Like when I made my mom cry in the post office the other day when I joked about getting abducted- not a sensitive move on my part.

My plans for the rest of this upcoming week include working a few more shifts to earn a little more money before I leave, picking up some last minute necessities for my trip and of course eventually, figuring out how I will pack all of my belongings in the limited suitcases that I have (the anxiety part). As of right now I’m thinking it won’t be that difficult but I may be taking those words back by next weekend.

Next time I post, I will be in Firenze! Wish me safe travels!