Privacy

First I apologize for the name of this blog. I haven't blogged before and it was a spur of the moment kind of thing. I have to admit I have never read E.M. Forester's book, but I hope to now that I am in Firenze where I have a room with a view! My host mother is the classic Italian Signora, with a small, slightly dated apartment and a great skill for cooking. From my room I can see il duomo and Fiesole, and from my rooftop terrace I can see all of Florence. I posted a picture of the Ponte Vecchio, me on my hike up to Piazzale Michelangelo (across the street from my house), as well as the view from my room.

I can't really believe that I have actually begun my junior year abroad. Each day has seemed like a week in a fury of walking tours of the city and the constant haze between english and italian. Neither of which I can speak correctly at the moment. However I am enjoying the constant babble between the two languages in my head. It is the main reason I chose to come to Firenze. To fully immerse myself in another culture. Learn the language, and attempt to assimilate. So far I have already come to appriciate many of the differences between Italian and American culture. Like the fact that Italians have imported our word for privacy, or in others words privacy does not exist here. Thoughts, health issues, money worries, and more are all things to share with everyone because by doing so Italians have created for themselves a society that loves to help each other. If you share, the support you need will be given to you. However sharing everything means a lot of talking, but what better way to learn a language then by listening!