Pisa:
The week after Cremona (last post), I went tango-ing for a friend's birthday party and had a great time learning a new style of dance! That weekend Meghann and I took a lengthy train ride to Pisa - this had previously been on our agenda during our trip to Florence but we weren't able to make the trip then. We had great fun with an extended photo shoot, coming up with creative poses, and teaching me how to do a proper jump photo.
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| Just a little kiss |
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| Nailed the jump! |
On Monday, Megan Iliya came into town to visit all of us for the week! (She is one of the MAMBAs from Dallas). Time had already flown by and before we knew it, it was Thanksgiving time! Meghann found a 15 lbs turkey at a butcher shop and preparations for the bird began in the morning. We had planned a party for our MAMBA friends and other exchange students at our apartment. With house clean, food made, and music on, the festivities were a big hit! We had fun explaining the history of thanksgiving (with at least 3 variations), and the differing traditions in the US. Good times, good friends, and ALOT of turkey leftovers.
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| Me and my good friend Rana |
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| Our Thanksgiving party! (taking a picture of our dinner table) |
The first week of December was the last week of classes at Bocconi - with most of our finals scheduled for the following week, I took a weekend off of traveling (the first yet), and did some dedicated studying. Some finals were easy, some finals were challenging. I'll receive grades within... 2 months or so (Italian style).
Two more MBA students from SMU had taken a few days to explore Italy! They invited me and Jillian to join them in Florence for a few days of fun. We took a cooking class (favorite dish was the gnocchi!), ate some delicious dinner, and the following day took a day trip. We visited Sienna, Gimignano, and Pisa. I hadn't been to the first two cities which were quaint and wonderfully Italian. The trip to Pisa included a climb of the tower which I hadn't done earlier. It was great fun to see my Dallas friends - it made me even more excited to return to the states.
On Sunday, we attempted to go to church (the service we found online was cancelled in reality), and proceeded to shop in Christmas markets. Jillian left for Milan and the rest of us climbed the hill to Piazzale Michelangelo. This piazza overlooks the city of Florence - the day was clear and sunny which made for good photos and a chance to soak in some vitamin d. The last item on the agenda was a tour of the Uffizi Gallery and, though tired, we enjoyed learning more of the history of Florence and of the art in the gallery.
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| cooking class |
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| My friend Liz and me in a piazza in Sienna |
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| The view from the top of the Leaning Tower of Pisa |
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| Overlooking Florence |
Milan:
This was the last week of our time in Milan! Many emotions. But first was the last final on Wednesday which went without a hitch. That evening after all finals were completed, Matt, Jillian, Meghann and I went to a fancy restaurant next to the Duomo for an enjoyable celebration of our completion of the semester. (I had the most tender and delicious veal I've every had. mmmm) The next day we packed the apartment, started multiple loads of laundry, cleaned, and prepared for our departure on Monday.
I have one last trip to make (Lake Como), and one more fun event (a soccer game in Milan).
Time has come short and though I'm ready to return to see old friends and make new ones, it is still sad to leave this country. Enough of Skype and messaging - it's time to go home!
~Elizabeth
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