After the beauty of Cinque Terre the group headed on a train to Pisa to see the one and only leaning tower of Pisa and take a cliche photo leaning on the tower. We then headed to Florence, Italy and when we finally got to the hotel, Serena and I crashed on our beds and took a very long nap. We were SO happy to finally have reliable air conditioning and wifi. JUST KIDDING because “reliable” wifi is pretty much non-existent here. We then woke up, drove up to see Michaelangelo’s statue butt and a gorgeous view of the city, and then walked down the road to have an incredible italian meal. I had a spicy arrabiatta with meat (because ya girl CANNOT pass down an arrabiatta when she sees one) as well as the best cream spinach I have ever had and some relish wine. I feel as if jotting down the foods I ate is important for times like this when I include the details in my blog. Aren’t you so glad you know what I ate??
After dinner we went to a club called Space and celebrated our American independence with the rest of the group (because everyone pretty much went to this club). Serena and I made sure to stick together in this club because Florence is KNOWN for its sex trafficking ( and you know we didn’t wanna end up like the girl’s friend in the first Taken movie #yikes). The music was obnoxious, American radio music unlike the awesome House music they were playing in London, but I still had a ton of fun that night cuz ya know I always do.
The next day Serena and I slept in (classic) and woke up at 11ish and went to the laundro-mat down the street to DO ALL OF OUR LAUNDY!!! This was the first time I did laundry on my own (sorry it’s true) and it was practically my entire suitcase of clothing. It was actually super fun and I felt like I was in Friends in that one episode where Rachel and Ross are doing laundry together at the laundromat and he starts developing a crush on her. While I was waiting for my clothes in the dryer and sitting with my suitcase, the man next to me noticed my Tulane University luggage tag and asked if I was a student. I told him I was an incoming freshman and he said that he used to be a professor there!!! Seriously what are the chances I would meet an ex-Tulane professor in a laundro-mat in Florence, Italy. Must be #fate. Afterwards I took Serena, Taylor, Sara and Emma to Al Anti Vecchio for the BEST sandwhich I have ever had in my life. I went to this place with my family last summer, which is where we ran into Buzz and his tour!! Super ironic. Serena and I shared two sandwiches: one salami and one proscuttio smother in truffle sauce and tomato and cheese and olive tapenade stuff and goodness and everything that could make a sandwich divine. We then browsed the leather markets and ZARA (because we browse every Zara) and went to a cool science museum and saw Galileo’s finger. I think that was the only time where either of us could have and will be able to ask, “Where can I find Galileo’s finger?” and it actually be a relevant question. I had a yummy porcini mushroom pasta for dinner, bought two beaded bracelets from a street vendor and went back to the hotel and slept.
when you tired af and you just CAN’T find the energy to get up and see Galileo’s finger because who really gaf 
Best . Sandwhich . Ever .
super awesome record store in Florence; they have the coolest record shops in Europe!
The next day we got up to go to VENICE! Chad, Preston, Taylor Emma, Serena and I took a gondola on the Grand Canal and the driver told us about how Venice might be all underwater in about 100-150 years! We also learned that each strip of houses is its own island and they are all connected by the bridges running through venice. I ate a butter sage ravioli and splurged at Longchamp because it’s cheaper in Europe and every gal needs a classic Longchamp bag for carrying at airports and such am I right. We indulged in a huge last-dinner-Italy and celebrated our soon-to-be entrance into Switzerland and mourned our departure from the hot and humid Italy. Bellissimo!!
cuties on the gondola
what are you doing with your hand gondola man ^
~ xoxo Ali ~
