After a long day of travel I finally made it to Mama’s.  Mama is not as old as I expected but otherwise the quintessential italian women.  She comes to about my waist and moves like the energizer bunny.  She walked with me to my class this morning and I could hardly keep up.  Of course she was fearless and took off with her strolling grocery bag down streets barely as wide as a sidewalk with cars, bikes and scooters zooming by.  I of course tried to stay on the sidewalk but that was often used as a parking lot for bicycles, scooters and the occasional small car so occasionally we were both in the street.

Arrived at my school just in time to completely fail my italian test.  I figured I would be in the beginner’s class and I was correct.  The German lady that took it before me gets to start in level 2.  Oh well at least I could say my name.

The travel day was long.  I thought I would never get off the plane.  The train wasn’t so bad.  I paid for a business seat but rode in coach which was really nice so not an issue.  I thought it timed out perfectly. I got to the station and got my ticket just ten minutes before departure.  However, by the time I got to the train I couldn’t find the right car and just had to get on.  So there I am pulling that oversized duffle (which only rolls really well under perfect conditions) with my carry on across my back banging down the aisles when the train started.  I felt every bit of the “stupid american”.  But I survived found a seat and slept all the way to florence.

My my house does not have wifi but there is free Firenze wifi in the piazza in front of the sacre cour, which will make it very easy to post my blogs.  My class is about to start so I have to run.  Just wanted to let everyone know I made it safely.

Ciao