My feet hurt...

What would a post be if I didn't complain right away?

Warning: the words awesome, fantastic and really cool are going to be used quite a bit in this post, if you don't like it, don't read it.

Today is my second day in Florence. But let's start from the beginning.

Susie and I arrived in Rome a week from yesterday. Rome was really amazing. We went everywhere we could think to go... The Coliseum, Palentine Hill (where in true Stephanie style I bit the dust going down some stairs - left a bit of blood in Rome!), the Cat Sanctuary (which is in an ancient ruin - so cool!), St. Peter's Basilica which was truly amazing (I was in awe the entire time) and we climbed to the top of the Dome - I took at least twenty pictures from the top, the Vatican Museums (where among other things we saw the Sistine Chapel), several churches - including St. Peter in Chains (where the Moses by Michaelangelo is located), the church that houses the Mouth of Truth (can't quite remember the name at the moment), the Panthenon, the Catacombs, and several other places. I was amazed at the number of really interesting things there were to see in Rome. And we saw quite a lot of them. I'll put up pictures later.

Next we went to Siena. My favorite city so far. The city is basically built up around a central square. All the buildings are made up of about the same material and the city has a kind of circular plan. In the center is a museum with a very tall tower (something like 500 steps) that we climbed to the top of, the view was breathtaking. About twenty pictures from there. My knees even trembled a bit on the way up. The stairs were unbelievably narrow (in both ways) and the stairs spiralled up in such a way that the circumfrance was very small. The other really awesome thing about Siena is that the city is divided into 17 neighborhoods, and each neighborhood has their own mascot (things like Giraffes, catepillars, snails, geese, owls, wolves, dragons, fish, etc) and colors. It was pretty easy to determine which neighborhood we were in because each had its own special light post type thing (again, will post pics later) and several people displayed the mascot in their windows. Siena was much cleaner than Rome and just had a small town feel to it. If I had to live in any of the cities visited so far I'd definitely pick Siena.

Florence has been pretty great too, although I don't like it as much as I've liked Rome or Siena. Did see the David (much larger than I imagined it), the Venus de Milo, and several other paintings. We went to the main cathedral (climbed to the top of its dome as well) and some other small churches. Also have watched the sun set on both nights from one of the bridges - extremely beautiful.

Thus far have eaten gelato almost every day - have had strawberry, mixed berry, cantelope, watermelon, banana, vanilla, chocolate, mint, and lemon. Have had pizza several times, each time was like a new experience with each pizza tasting different - different crusts, toppings, etc. Have also had some amazing dinners with gnocchi (one of my favorites), canneloni, etc. The food is just awesome.

So, to recap, Italy has been extremely awesome. I have in excess of 400 pics and will probably take quite a few more in Venice. My one complaint is on behalf of my feet. Have spent almost all day everyday we've been here walking. I have two huge blisters on my right foot, and overall sore feet. But I think it, worth it.

I have much more to say but not enough time to say it. Look for my posts about Rome in the future.

Oh, and a few other things to post about. First off, don't get mad or disappointed (too many people already have), but I've decided not to return to graduate school next year. Have already notified Jim, moved out of my apartment and all that. My parents know and a few others but not many. I know it was the right decision to make for myself but it's hard disappointing people. And because of that I'm no longer going to the summer program and will now be returning to the states on Wednesday. Am looking forward to being at home. My feet are really looking forward to it. Haven't decided yet what my next move is, so also need to get that figured out. Will do so when I get home.

Oh, and Angie, if you're reading this I've started to do the whole "What?" "I didn't say anything..." with Susie. Unless you put her up to it, and you're both just tricking me! I'm sure that's it.