So my first couple days have been amazing. Since we are only staying in Siena for two weeks, Kaili and I are really trying to make the best of out time here. We venture to a new restaurant each day, of course getting lost along the way, but we have managed to actually find our way around Siena pretty well! We have found that the Sienese are extremely friendly, which is making the transition into living in a different country much easier and also tons of fun.

Siena is such a beautiful, quaint little town. Although it is usually overcast and rains daily, that doesn’t take away from its charm. I love just walking through the streets—everywhere you turn there are cozy little bakeries, restaurants, and of course lots of gelato places. Also, you can find locals on practically every street walking their dogs, which I have obviously loved!

While in Siena, we are enrolled in a “language emersion” course—we have class each day for four hours where we learn solely Italian. By the end of these first two weeks, we basically will have taken a full semester’s worth of Italian. Although class is early in the morning (which needless to say has been rough), it has actually been very helpful and I have found that I can already somewhat hold conversations with locals. It’s actually really fun trying to talk with them and practicing what I am learning—it makes sitting in class all morning fighting heavy eyelids worth my while.

Things I'm loving so far:

 - being aloud to leave class if I want an espresso

 - dogs wearing coats

 - tiramisu gelato

 - glasses of wine for fifty cents 

Beautiful Sienna countryside 

How we celebrated our first night out -- OBSESSED with the grapefruit drink and our adorable shot glasses. 

Well we are off to take a cooking class, Ciao!

Becca

We have finally arrived in Italy!

Today's travel was an extremely long, convoluted trip, but we managed to finally make it here. We should have known after Kaili’s flight from California and our flight to our layover in Frankfurt, Germany going smoothly that something was bound to go wrong—it was quite a charade…

Our flight that was supposed to transport us to Florence was delayed, and then later cancelled; but we didn’t panic, because the airline immediately set us up on a new flight. So we trekked all the way back across the maze of the Frankfurt airport, took an impromptu shuttle bus trip through the creepy basement of the airport, and quickly boarded our new plane to our final destination. But as we approached the Firenze airport (while in the air mind you) the pilot informed us that the fog was too thick, we would have to land in Bologna instead, and then take a bus back to the Florence airport. Ugh. It was a very long and tiring day, but we eventually made it to Florence, and then took yet another hour ride to Siena, where we will be spending the first two weeks of our stay.

Kaili and I finished off this absurd day with some wood-fired pizza, gnocchi, a bottle of prosecco, and of course some creamy gelato--the perfect way to conclude this kind of day if you ask me. 

After this long day, and accidentally falling asleep more times than any normal person should, it’s time to get some rest so I can hit the ground running tomorrow.

Sorry I don’t have any classic airport posed pictures to share, it was just too crazy of a day! I will be sure to take some shots of beautiful Siena tomorrow.

Buona notte,

Becca

So I am going abroad. 

And I am going to be spending the next sixteen weeks in the beautiful, charming city of Florence, Italy. 

I am very lucky and also VERY excited! First things first...I have no sense of direction. I am going with my best friend Kaili, who also doesn't have a sense of direction. So we're off to a good start. This fact will probably (no, definitely) cause my mom many hours of worry and anxiety, but mom if you are reading this, IT'S ALL GOING TO BE OKAY! I promise. 

Anyway, so I leave TODAY! And I am beginning to get nervous. However I am super relieved to be finished with packing...that was miserable. Have you ever tried to fit your life into a couple of suitcases? Let me tell you, it's no walk in the park. I am probably going to be wearing the same outfit every other day, but hey, I'LL BE TRAVELING EUROPE! So who really cares, right?

See, I managed to do it. (Even though my giant suitcase is definitely not under 50 lbs....woops)

Now that all of the packing is completed, all that was left to do was to say goodbye to everyone, only for now of course. Then, I will be off to the airport to meet up with Kai!!!

                             I am going to miss everyone back at home very, very much!

                                                                        The fam

                        My boyfriend, Greg. Can't wait for him to come visit me either!

The best/craziest pups in the whole world, Cassidy & Ivy

But at least I will have her with me!

Kaili and I

Now I am off to meet up with Kai and have a nice long flight to Italy!!!!

Arrivederci!