Ciao!

An author I can't remember of a book I can't remember wrote that "a novel is like a dream in which everyone is you."
Here, I won't be writing a novel (since I'll be channeling my time into exploring this great city) but instead will give quick sketches of Florence in the words I find on my travels. From the Ponte Vecchio to the Duomo, I hope that you, too, will find in these sketches the stories of people and places who are both foreign and familiar to you at once. Because, like that unknown author said, writing lets us live the dream of the worlds we read. ~ Alyssa

Sunday, April 5, 2009

La Traviata

It’s been a week of very Italian things. I learned the history of the Medici family during Renaissance Art History class, complete with several references to The Godfather – which I finally saw this week for the first time. Apparently, some of those Medici dukes were not unlike Vito Corleone and the infamous Michael. I’m glad I got the reference. My eyes have finally been opened to the greatness of the Godfather, and in addition, me and my roomies watched our final few episodes of the Sopranos Season 1. We’ve been watching all semester but didn’t have the last couple, so Sheena brought them from the U.S. and we are just dying to start on Season 2 when we all get home. Very Italian, again. And to top off the typical week, me and the girls went to an opera last night! It was “La Traviata,” the story of an ill woman who falls in love with Alfredo, whose father does not approve of their marriage and eventually tears them apart, only for them to come back together as Violetta dies of her long-time illness. Good stuff. It was in a small church near our apartment, nothing big and actually narrated in English before each scene began so that its touristy audience would know what was going on. There were probably about 35 people in the tiny church, but everyone loved it and I’m glad I went – even if I couldn’t understand anything and my ears are still ringing. It was fun to get all dressed up and go out to dinner together beforehand too. We ate raviolis and soufflé overlooking the Arno River, talking about how weird it will be when we all leave here in only 5 weeks. Five weeks! I can’t believe it’s coming so quickly; before I know it, I’ll be packing my things and putting my passport in place to return to the U.S. The weeks until then will be packed full though – Rome, Easter, Venice, turning 21, Meredith visiting and a possible trip to Barcelona. Phew! I can’t wait for the Coloseum…
And one more Italian thing! – Me and Allie are going for a moped ride today with our Italian friends, up to the hills looking down on Florence, and it’s such a beautiful day the view will be amazing! I guess this means I’ll be ready for the Harley when I get home…
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