KILIKI LEAKS

Read More

I have a serious problem.
One that can only be solved by confrontation.
I cannot go a single day without getting lost in the narrow alley ways of my mind, daydreaming of gelato, and aperitivo on the piazza.
I have been home from Italy - Florence to be exact - for 7 months now. Plenty has happened, good and bad, and life has continued on happily and comfortably. My mind however is cursed. Italian art, cathedrals, mozzarella, Michelangelo, vaulted ceilings, wine and food flash in my head like a strobe light. I swear I hear San Lorenzo’s bells singing their sweet melody throughout the day. And it’s all driving me crazy. The thought of being back there gives me goosebumps. The idea of drinking $5 bottles of legit chianti is… leaving me speechless.

Until I set my next Italy trip into action, I will continue to make endless itineraries in my head. Thankfully I still have my Art History classes to live through.

Ciao!

I was expecting to board within the next 5 minutes as I had posted. The line up started and I was ready to go. Little did I know the plane had other plans. After standing in the line for a while, and I’m talking 30-40 minutes, peoples started mumbling about what was going on. The mumblings were mostly on Italian so I could not understand. An announcement came on, both in Italian and English, yet it was near impossible to hear. I turned to the woman behind me and we both kind of shrugged. I asked if she heard what they said. She hardly heard either but heard people behind her saying something about a cancelled flight due to weather conditions on Florence. I thought the weather here was just fine. A couple in front of me whirled around at the sound of English and asked about the situation. The four of us stood there trying to figure out what was going on. Before long, our flight info on the screen displayed the “cancelled” sign. It was official. Now what?! All of I sudden I realized I am suppose to be seeing Cara’s show that night and I NEED to get to Paris!

Read More

So here I am. My last couple hours in Florence before I head to Paris then into Amsterdam to catch my flight home on the 31st. I will be in Paris for just under 24 hours an have on thing on that is a must on my agenda: To see one of my amazing friend, the dear and beautiful Cara Hrdlitschka, dance at Moulin Rouge! She has been there for a few months and has the year ahead of her, representing one of two (I think!) Canadians ever to have danced there. What a woman, what an accomplishment. Talking about living out your dreams. I am so thrilled I am able to stop of on my way home and see her. I also haven’t seen any friends from home in over a month so that makes it even more exciting!

Read More

I have been settled into Via Dei Banchi 7 for almost 2 weeks now. Our apartment is starting to feel like home away from home. We a cafe right across the street (our go-to) where we can get sandwiches and light snacks and a wine store directly beneath us. I cant handle how you can buy a bottle of good Chianti for 5 Euros, heaven! We got lucky as our apartment is very close to all our classes, no more then a 8 minute walk. We have little grocery stores, the leather market and lots of shops at our finger tips. Location location location! Perfecto! This is the view from my bedroom window. Can you spot Duomo?!

Read More

I have arrived in Florence! What a place!

I was dropped off on the edge of the city centre as cars are not allowed in. Looking at a map, both I and my airport pick up decided it was a pretty easy walk. Just straight down here, a right here and keep going straight. Well of course that wasn’t the case. Italian streets have incredibly poorly signage. Half the time you have no idea what street you are on, and by no means are they divided into neat little blocks. After lugging my suitcase through the streets of Florence for a good while, I stumbled upon the school office, almost by chance. There I received my housing info and address. Next step, find it! Turns out it was very close and an easy 1 minute walk back the way I came. Turns out I walked past my apartment a few times while trying to find the office. The apartment sleeps three, and I’m lucky enough to have my own bedroom. There is a living room, good sized equipped kitchen and a pretty darn big bathroom. The beds are comfy but best of all I have wicked roomies.

After arriving yesterday morning and finding my place, my first priority was to settle in, unpack and relax a bit. And I did just that. It felt so good to have my home base set up. Feeling relieved and slightly rested (key word slightly), I decided to walk around a little. I was recommended that I walk to the place where the orientation would be just so I know where I’m going and how long it will take. I step outside my apartment, face in my little map, and start walking. About 10 feet away from the door I look up and what to I see? The one and only Duomo rising above the streets, teasing me. I cant believe I am this close to it. All the time talking and studying it in my Art History classes and now its right in front of me, well a few blocks away. I decide to find the orientation spot then I will go see the Duomo. Easy find, next! Arriving in the Piazza del Duomo, I am completely moved. The beauty and grandeur of the Cathedral was simply breath taking. This is why I came to Florence. I walked around the of the perimeter, then thought, well might as well climb Brunelleschi’s worlds most famous dome. After 463 steps and narrowing passages ways, I emerged atop Florence. Mind blown. Completely spectacular in every aspect.

After climbing up 463 steps ones legs tend to turn to jelly. Walking back down was almost a little tricky. Reaching the bottom, I felt like my knees were going to give. The heat was also getting to me as it was a lovely 35+, so I decided a siesta would be a great idea. It was.

I woke up to one of my room mates arriving and after we chatted a bit and she settled in, we went for a walk back to the Duomo. Her mind was also seriously blown. We picked up some groceries and wine (DUH) on the way back and walked in the door as our other roomie was arriving. We all enjoyed some wine. Then it was seriously my bed time. Sleep came quick.

Today there was an orientation in the morning, followed by a siesta, then we met our landlord, then me and one of the girls went out for dinner. We picked a little restaurant IN the Piazza del Duomo, looking right up at it as we enjoyed our Chianti, caesar salad and pizza. Perfecto!

Now I am wondering why I typed all this and who will actually read it - ha ha. Its nearly 2am and I really should be tired and thinking about bed. However, I am not. The joys of jet lag.

xo