Today was in my books as- a very productive (and slightly exhausting) day. Starting off my morning, I had a 3 hour class on Communication Management. So far all the classes have peaked my interest, the material is interesting and makes you think. In our class, the professor mostly used examples (hardly any writing, a plus!) that were easy to understand and helpful to grasp the whole concept. Communication is really key in everything, (slightly broad statement- but its true) a lot of communication comes from both your own external, internal points of view and call to action.
After class, my friend Carolin and I walked into the Centre to meet my friend from the States, Kari. Kari is currently studying abroad in Paris, and was visiting Florence for the weekend. One of Kari's main goals was to get a leather purse, therefore we made our way to the San Lorenzo leather market. Its an open market full of all things leather but also jewellery, and kitschy items. We talked with some vendors and tried to haggle prices and we devised a very good method- basically to say we only have so much on us, so therefore thats all we can really pay. Its always humorous t see how much they will give you off, it also helps if you buy more than one thing from them as well. The vendors even get very touchy and loud, they want to sell and get your attention so they do whatever it takes. For example, I walked by a vendor he tells me, "here, you know what, I am going to give you this jacket for free", immediately my thought process in my head is literally, "WHAT!! FREE JACKET,SWEET!!!" then I question him and say- "really, a free jacket, you are really going to give this to me?", as he starts to take the jacket of the mannequin. Then (as a should have expected) he says, "only if you get my name tattooed on your foot". I reply, "oh HA, yeah...um no..sorry- not happening" and I walk away. The vendor then turns to Carolin and says something like, "oh well, I liked you more anyways". :)
After the market, Kari and I made our way around the Centre taking pictures and enjoying the nice weather. Florence is such a touristy place- and this is the start of the tourist season, its very packed and overwhelming at times. Crowds, groups, people all wearing the same thing etc etc, I have even gotten told in other languages to ( what I think is being said)-" go and join the group"- I just look at them and keep walking- as I guess I look like someone from some touring group?
My class decided to organise a get together, so most of us (about 14 girls) met up at a location and went for apertivo. Apertivo is probably the greatest thing ever invented. Basically you pay for a drink and eat all you want for free. So for about 7 euros (it really differs in locations but for the most part, never more than 10) you get a drink- which is normally 7 euros plus things like: pizza, spreads, meats, vegetables. I guess it could be compared to a happy hour of sorts, but it goes quite late- 7-11 or so.
Earlier, when walking around, I received a flyer for a club in the Center called YAB, so at dinner, we all made a plan to go and see if the clubs here were any good. After all meeting up at midnight, we made our way to the club. It was interesting with the lit dance floor, tables and people. Oh the people, I think I spent the whole time watching people- so far its been the best people watching. The outfits, the behaviour and well the music (the horrible music) really was something different.
2 American boys approached our group and tried to start a conversation, I guess they could tell that we weren't Italian from the way we dressed and looked. Anyhow I think I would have rather talked to a brick wall than them, they had no idea how to make conversation and it ended up being so awkward we actually walked away ( something that I don't often do, as I like to give people the benefit of the doubt), all they could think about asking was- "which baseball team was our favourite" and how the Bahamas (and they said- well or wherever it is you are from) has such big waves to surf. Once they said that, I couldn't help but get flustered as there are no waves to surf on in Turks due to the reef (I mean it would and as possible but not really recommended- basically- we aren't known for surfing), and once I told them that- they wouldn't accept it, they kept on going on how the surf is so good. I still shake my head even thinking about this....
The club wasn't what I was hoping for, perhaps I had too much expectation from going clubs in NYC and such. Ending our evening around 2 we all made our ways home- very exhausted!
