Getting There

So... I am finally here.

My day actually started last night at 6 when my parents and I arrived at the airport. With a teary goodbye, I was off to the security line (my favorite). Nervous, I was very happy to find Mary arriving at the gate. I could exhale a little bit and start to get excited.

Our flight to Frankfurt was a long one with very little sleep (why am I blogging right now and not sleeping?). It however started and hour after everyone was on board because apparently a passenger wasn't feeling well, so it took time to find her baggage. The flight went...for the most part... smoothly. How I Met Your Mother and The Big Bang Theory were both on the inflight channels: good news. But after that I was drained and ready for some good 'ol shut eye. I wish. Nevertheless I woke up to the plane chasing the sun and that was good enough for me.

The time ticked away and the Pilot finally said we would be arriving in 20 minutes! (It was 11:10 our next flight to Florence started boarding at 11:30). When the seatbelt signs were off and the baggage was claimed from the top bins we all raced through customs and airport security and made it to the gate at 12:05! Perfect! The plaine wasn't going to leave until 12:10--- we made it! Well, apparently Germany is very prompt for their flights and the plane had already left, leaving (from what I hear) 45 people behind and 14 UNC students.
After a 5 hours of waiting, reading, talking, napping, and walking we were ready to board to Florence! The flight was super quick compared to our 8 hour one and rice pudding was served (yum?). I was finishing reading The Art of Racing in the Rain and was trying to hold back the tears when I looked to my right and saw the most gorgeous sunset out of the window. Perfect... saved from balling my eyes out on the flight. If you haven't read the book and you are a lover of dogs or have a heart in general I definitely recommend it.

Touchdown in Florence was easy and my bag was not lost!! Mary and I rushed to the taxi's leaving everyone else behind... woops. A line of girls piled high with suitcases followed behind. After a quick housing check in, we set off to find our apartment. It was a funny site.. let me tell you. No one actually knew where they were going... Mary and I just knew to look for the Duomo. And there is was-- absolutely breathtaking. Taking the second right we found our Piazza and our building. We walked up precisely 31 stairs went out onto a balcony and put the key into the lock. We were home! The apartment is perfect! Mary and I have a little room to the left and Anna and Kaitlin are to the right.

have a kitchen and a LOFT!  Our bathroom is attached to our room. One of my favorite things is the window the opens up to the view of our piazza and the large dome of the Duomo peeking through! We all decided that we are going to wake up in the morning and open the window doors and sing to Italy (Birds will fly out of the window too of course...)

Pardon the mess on my bed-- I need to finish unpacking.

Many adventures and PICTURES to come!