"pictures can't even explain it the way I want to explain it..."

Dear friends and family who read this,
It has officially been my favorite day in Florence so far. We went on many adventures today so I forewarn you that this post will be long, but have many pictures of a day that I don't ever want to forget...so blogging here I come.
To start off the day, Julia and I both dressed in red to support our sisters of Alpha Phi back home in raising the awareness of heart disease. We miss you all so much!! Luckily, we looked cute for all the places we went and all the pictures we took all day long!

Our host mom told us all about this trattoria that her boyfriend took her to for lunch that she loved and recommended so we decided to go today, Friday, since we have no classes and could take our time. We got two courses, a pasta dish and a meat dish, all for 7 euros! It was an amazing little hole in the wall spot, off the main road, which was full of all locals. Today was one of those days where I finally just feel like an American in Italy, and no longer like a tourist.   

Our journey then continued to the Chocolate Festival in la Piazza Santa Croce, where there were stands and stands of the best chocolate makers around. There were kebabs of fruit covered with chocolate fondue, mounds of chocolate in basically any form that you could imagine. The festival goes on until February 13th, right before Valentine's Day! :) I bought a chunk of dark chocolate with hazelnuts in it to take home as a souvenir, cause who can go home empty handed from a chocolate festival...honestly. 

 

After the Chocolate Festival, a whole bunch of us from our program headed on a 15 minute walk up to the Piazza de Michaelangelo. After reaching the top, the area is truly the most beautiful view of Florence that you can possibly see. I actually feel like I could now leave this city having seen the true beauty that it holds. Gosh the realities of how fortunate we are to study abroad truly sank in today.