It's gotten COLD here, there is certainly NO Fall. Just went from tank tops with skirts and flip flops to a camisole, long-sleeve tee, cashmere sweater and sweatshirt with jacket, scarf and boots in a matter of a week. Good news is I haven't been bombarded with with zanzare in a while!

I'm in love

Mutually, hopelessly, solid as a rock in love. Mr.T told me loved me last last week and my feet haven't touched the ground since. I've been wanting to say it myself for a while now, but I haven't told a man I love him in about 12 years so understandably I was a little shy. It's truly amazing to finally feel so secure with someone that I can share my excitement for them and know it's reciprocated. I feel extremely fortunate to have won the love of such a dynamic man!

A few weeks ago my housemate told me about a weekly free wine tasting at a wine shop in our neighborhood, so a few classmates and I went to check it out. It wasn't as crowded as she suggested, so we had a private little tasting and bonus Italian lesson with Luigi, the shop owner, who is wonderful! All of the wines are on tap and regulars come in to have their empty bottles filled for about 2 euro. When we gasped at how inexpensive it was Luigi matter of factly explained that wine is like air and water to the Italians, it's required for living. So there; I'm not a wino, it's in my blood!

When I first arrived in Florence I posted that I had eaten the best panino ever, and while I still feel like it was a superior delectability, the title of 'Sandwich So Good It'll Make You Want to Cry' must be awarded to I Fratellini. I've eaten there so much in the last two weeks that when I arrived yesterday and announced "Il numero quindici con bicchiere di vino" the cashier replied with a grin, "Si, Si, Si, the usual, and I get to choose di vino". The number 15 is tender, savory salami, soft and tangy goat cheese and sweet fennel served on perfectly warm, crunchy on the outside, tender on the inside bread; it's that simple. The small glass of wine is just enough to compliment the sandwich and make my art lecture afterwards a little more interesting and it's turned me on to some lovely new labels. Seating is the sidewalk and the whole experience costs me less than 5 euro. Molto Buono!

I did something!

Weekend before last I went to Southern Italy. My home base was Sorrento and from there I spent a day on Capri, a day in Positano and a day in Naples. I roomed with a really sweet gal from Texas who was also travelling solo so we teamed up and had a blast. The water around Capri was the bluest I've ever seen in my life. We were able to swim through caves and later I paid the outrageous 9 euro fee to go into the famous Blue Grotto and it was so worth it! Positano was really cute and even though it rained all day we still sat on the beach under our umbrellas and drank a beer! Naples...it was too dirty for me. Heaps of garbage everywhere and the men were uncomfortably aggressive. But, we did enjoy the tastiest pizza in the universe there and even got one to go to eat on the bus ride back to Florence. You can check out pix here.