Confessions of a Foodie Drama Queen: Farewell Firenze

As I sit here in bed on my last night in Firenze I can't help but think just how fast time goes by. I cannot believe my adventure here has come to an end. I have been to 7 countries and over 30 cities all in less than 4 months. I truly can't even explain to anyone just how amazing this time has been and I probably never will be able to. The only thing I will be able to do is share some of the recipes I learned while here to try and let my family and friends relive my trip through their taste buds.

But my trip here has been about so much more than food. I have learned to become so much more independent, to go with the flow, to relax even when I see a gypsy in a supermarket or when a sketchy Italian man tries to sell me a rose, and I have learned a whole new way of life. It will definitely take some adjusting eating a big breakfast in the morning instead of just my regular macchiato and if I eat dinner before 9pm, that will be weird too. It's crazy how in such a short amount of time I have really adapted to a new culture. However, there are so many things about home that I miss and will be so excited to get back to. These things include: clothes driers, not having to rely on wifi for everything, bread with salt, normal plug ins, and Diet Coke.

This last week has just been about soaking up our last views of Florence. We went to the Boboli Gardens on Friday with our friend Liza who was visiting, went out for Dana's 21st birthday and then Carleen's birthday the next night. I said goodbye to all my teachers and took my exams...I had to cook asparagus risotto for Food, Culture, an Society, chocolate mousse for chocolates, pasta alla norma for pastas, and crepes for Contemporary Cooking. Fingers crossed that I passed!! haha

But other than finals, we really just enjoyed as much food, gelato, and sights as possible. We went to the leather market, went to both the Sant' Ambrogio and San Lorenzo food markets, went to the Rose Gardens and the Piazzale Michelangelo many times. And tonight we had dinner at one of our favorite restaurants called La Giostra where I had the pear and pecorino ravioli. And then we strolled around one last time and took some last photos with our friend the Duomo. I still can't believe I got to call this city my home for nearly 4 months! I cannot wait to return some day and get to show my children what an amazing opportunity I got to have when I was only 21 years old! I'm so blessed and grateful for this chance to live abroad and I think it will help me so much when I pick up again and move to New York for the summer...lots to look forward to!

Well it's late here and I have to be up in 2 hours for my plane but I hope you enjoyed my blog! I can't wait to be back in Minnesota in 24 hours!!