Fashion

Shopping! Don't worry mom and dad, you taught me about a budget. The fashion is so different. I love color, but here, stores only have neutrals. It took me a little while to get use to the view in one rather large store today. I looked around me and everywhere was peach, cream, white, grey, and black. This could me a difficult change for me. I like color. I look best in color, but alas, I have learned to fit in more with the locals. Black and white it is. 
Americans really do stand out here in Firenze. At first, it was hard to grasp my mind around why. Today, I think I figured it out. The Italian dress is so different. The clothes are not as tight fitting. Women, although they may have a great body, don't necessarily show off every curve, as American students tend to. T-shirts are form fitting, but not hugging. Dresses are flowy and loose. Lots of scarves. Very little accessories. Not flashy at all. Comparing the two cultures, Americans tend to be divas, Italians tend to be understated. Even hair is different. Again with women, their hair is almost messy looking. It is done, and combed at some point before they left the house, but it is also wind blown and curly beautiful. The students, including myself, tend to be more made up and perfect looking. We look like we spent more time to put every hair and piece of clothing in its correct place and lots of hairspray to get it to stay. These days, I only brush my hair once (relatively speaking, I'm still me).
Best moment of the day: sitting on the Ponte alla Carraia eatting gelato (what I survive on these days, for reasons other than it's amazing). Ponte alla Carraia is a bridge over the Arno. It was afternoon so the sun was lowering giving the surrounding tuscan buildings a golden glow. The temperature was perfect, with a wonderful breeze. Tourists passed by, yet it was so peaceful. Defintely the definition of relaxation.

Sarah