The Challenge of Grocery Shopping

Now that orientation is finally winding down we all finally have some time to explore the city on our own. This is a very good thing. This finally means we don't have to eat every meal out and can attempt to get some of our own food. However, let me tell you, this is no easy process. For one simple reason all the food is in Italian. Two the markets are very over whelming. We have a smaller on right by our house. We also however visited the Mercado Central. This is where the leather market is located as well as the huge huge grocery market. It makes American grocery stores look pretty puniy. We did purchase some dired fruit; it is just amazing! After we traveled back to our house to go to the Conad (grocery store) and the market. It took us two hours to go grocery shopping, and we discovered it is better to have coins while shopping at the market. I have never purchased so much fresh food at the price I did. There was everything you could imagine, and all fresh! All I can say is thank goodness I am learning Italian because it will help when traveling to these markets and the only think I can say is Ciao and Gratzie. Hello and thank you! When returning to the apartment I cooked my first meal! Some nice penne with vegatables with spices and oil for a dressing. It was very very yummy.

Itailan word for the day

Come te chiame? What is your name?

Me chiame: My name is.

Vorrie: I would like.

Just one of the many counters at the Mercado Central.

These beautiful masks are all over Florence. They are worn at carnival in Venice. I'm determinded to get one... The only challenge will be how do I get it home...

One of my favorite sports in the city. There is a merry-go-round. This square also has Italian jazz music at night! It is just perfect!

Some of Florence's beautiful art.

An over look at the beautiful city itself!

Ponte Vecchio. The bridge that has BEAUTIFUL jewerly all up and down it.