nuova famiglia

Anna Maria and her boyfriend Marco have been nothing but amazing as host parents to us! after unpacking Anna Maria asked that we meet Marco and take a tour of Firenze. Check out some of the incredible sights I walk by everyday (including the organic gelateria... talk about TEMPTATION) 

this gelato place is unreal, major temptation I literally stroll by multiple times a day. Marco treated us to a cone of his favorite gelato flavor, Cannella which translates to cinnamon.We strolled through the streets of Firenze with Anna Maria and Marco admiring the beautiful scenery. We parted ways the girls and I walked home for a nap while Anna Maria and Marco went to the grocery store, our first family dinner was at 8pm. Anna Maria invited her friend Afra who also has a host student (Johnathon) to join us for dinner. Now I know from family functions and dinners that Italians know how to eat and relax but it was nothing compared to our first dinner with Anna Maria and Marco... it lasted 3 hours... unreal.

Anna Maria and Marco treat us like their own children they brought us to Astor  for an "american" breakfast. Where we had pancakes, french toast, eggs we got Marco to try french toast and maple syrup for the first time! After breakfast Anna Maria wanted to show us around another section of Firenze and her studio. She works a restorer of statues and is working toward a license in frescoes also.. After seeing the studio Anna Maria showed us a section of Florence that was "filled with Florentine people" lacking of tourist the area had so much more culture. 


The next adventure Anna Maria took us on was an art exhibit we walked to the other side of the Arno River, met up with Afra and Johnthon the artwork was photographs of buildings and places in the Czech Republic. 

Marco met us after the art exhibit and drove us to my favorite place in Firenze, Piazza del Michelangelo.  This piazza has some of the most incredible views of Firenze I could sit there for hours and take it all in.. check out this view

living with a host family has been an incredible experience, I eagerly look forward to many of the things Anna Maria and Marco suggest that we do, and do together. We've begun discussing a wine tasting trip to the country for some vino de Chianti. Thanks to their enthusiasm in us experiencing everything Italy has to offer we have already seen more of Firenze than many of our friends! 

everythings wonderful here in Italia! hope all is well at home, ciao!