Week 9: Fall Break Pt. 2

10/21/19 – Monday I was still in Venice. We decided to visit some other islands in the area, though, like Murano and Burano. Murano is known for their glass-makers, and Burano is known for lace-makers. First we stopped at Murano and walked around for a bit. Then we stopped in a glass factory and watched a master create a few things. It always looks so easy, but it’s definitely not. We browsed through their store with pieces you could buy, but it was quite expensive so no glass for me! They had statues of dogs, so I suggested we have Lacey and Sully made into glass, but my parents didn’t go for it (booo). After that, we hopped back in the water taxi to Burano. Burano is an island recognizable for its brightly colored buildings (just go on Pinterest and you’ll find so many cute pictures). We walked through the streets and got some cool pictures. Since I said it is known for lace, we stopped in a lace shop to take a peek. They had a bunch of old pieces they had made, even some worn by the princess of Belgium (don’t quote me on that, I’m not sure it’s Belgium, but you get the point). My mom ended up buying a really nice table runner for our dining room as a souvenir. We also tried some cookies they are known for on the island, and they were so good. They are meant to be dipped in a dessert wine, but sadly we couldn’t find the wine, so we just ate the cookies. After that, we headed back to Venice in our water taxi. We decided to sit down for a bit by the river and have a drink. I recently learned the spritz drinks I have been getting everywhere are actually the Venetian drink, so I felt like it was only right I had one in Venice. After resting for a while, we decided to go on a gondola ride. It was fun getting to go on the authentic gondola ride. Just being me and my parents, it wasn’t quite as romantic as I had pictured it. Maybe someday I’ll be back again to have another one (if I ever find the man lol). To finish off the day we grabbed some dinner, and searched for glass, since my mom was sad she didn’t get any. We found a shop with some salesmen who were quite the characters, and my mom ended up getting two pieces after quite a bit of time. They are both very unique and pretty. My favorite is one that looks like a nest with colorful birds sitting on it.

10/22/19 – Tuesday we sadly had to leave Venice, and we headed back to Florence. When we arrived in Florence, we checked into our hotel. Our room was a suite in the tower of the building, which was pretty cool. It even had two different levels. After we got situated, we visited the Academia museum where Michelangelo’s David is located. After that I took them to the leather market in search of some leather jackets. We ended up finding a good stand, but instead went to their store to look at more options. Originally it was supposed to be just a jacket for me for my birthday, but all three of us ended up getting a jacket (even my dad!). To end the day on the best note, we went out for our 3 course dinner at Trattoria La Casalinga. It was a super authentic, family-owned place across the river. We shared most of our plates, which was nice so we could try lots of dishes. For dessert we got Vin Santo, which is similar to what I talked about early with the cookies dipped in the wine, but this cookie was more Tuscan. I tried it, but definitely not my favorite thing. The wine was insanely strong, much more like a brandy almost, but still fun to try.

10/23/19 – In the morning on Wednesday we were scheduled for a Tuscan cooking class. We started at the market to grab our fresh veggies, meat, cheese, and fruits for cooking. The plan was to make a pasta with truffle sauce, a gnocchi with Tuscan ragu, and a pasta with fresh tomatoes (truffle was my request of course). Our job was to hand-make the noodles. The other chef worked on the sauces. First we made our dough for the wheat-based noodles, like tagliatelle, ravioli, and tortellini. After we finished that, we let it sit and made our gnocchi. The gnocchi was actually super simple to make, and it tasted absolutely delicious. It was so fresh without a strong potato flavor (the way it’s supposed to be). I’m not even really a gnocchi person, but I am if it’s fresh made I guess. Then we went back to our other dough and shaped the long, fettuccine-like noodles, and filled and shaped our tortellini and ravioli. I have to admit, I think my noodles were the best of the fam. When we finished making the pastas, the sauces were pretty much ready and it was time for the best part: tasting! The first we tried was the tagliatelle with truffle and butter sauce. Of course it was delicious, but also so simple. It was literally just fresh truffle and butter mixed in a pan. Next, we tired the gnocchi with Tuscan ragu. This was hands-down my favorite sauce. It was a light ragu, with an oil base and pork sausage, leeks and orange zest. I have never thought about adding orange, and admit I was a little skeptical of it, but it was honestly what made the sauce so good. Finally, we tasted the ravioli and tortellini with fresh tomato sauce. This one was also good, but by this time we were really slowing down. It was literally like eating 3 separate servings of pasta (and I think I gained 10 pounds). Overall though, it was such a fun experience! Hopefully some of this will rub off on me, and I will start cooking more often. After the class was finished, we headed up to the piazza Michelangelo, since it was super close. We got a great view and pictures of the city, because that’s what the piazza is known for. Then we headed down a couple of stairs to the garden of roses, which also had a great view. We walked back into town from there to the Santa Croce church. We went inside the massive church, where Dante, Michelangelo, and Galileo are buried. Next we tried to head over the Central Market, but sadly it was closed by the time we got there. My mom wanted to stop in the Santa Maria Novella Farmacia, which is the oldest pharmacy in Italy, started in about 1600. I got a “potion” to help with my immune system to keep me healthy and fight off colds. Actually that week I felt a sore throat coming on. I tried it the next day, and I kid you not, my throat healed immediately, and it hasn’t felt bad since. And that’s saying something because usually with me, when I start to feel a cold coming on, it’s coming no matter what. I wonder if they ship to the U.S., because I will be needing a lifetime supply. We were still pretty full from our cooking class, so we decided to head to the restaurant on top of the Westin for a cocktail. While cocktails were extremely pricey, the view was awesome, and you could see the entire city (just good thing my mom was there to buy!). At 9, my mom and I headed to a small opera concert in an old church. It wasn’t a full performance, but it was a nice way to see it, without a large commitment. To end the night, we got gelato from B.ICE. It was decent, and they had a lot of unique flavors, which I loved.

10/24/19 – Thursday my parents had to leave so my mom could get back to her job. I spent the day unpacking the new winter clothes they brought me (yay!!). When I was done with that, I tried to start planning my spring break trip with my friends back home (cause I can’t stop planning trips at this point). It’s between Cabo, Miami, and a cruise, but we will see what we decide.

10/25/19 – Not too much happened on Friday. I cleaned my room and the apartment, and went shopping for groceries. I registered for my last semester of classes (kind of bittersweet). My schedule is really nice because I don’t have class on Friday’s again, plus I only have four classes, one of which is only half the semester. For dinner I did some cooking and made lemon caper chicken. It was my first time making it, and I have to say I impressed myself. Plus, it was actually really easy and quick to make (I guess that cooking class inspired me).

10/26/19 – Saturday I was bored so of course I went shopping. I got a cute pair of new jeans and a corduroy jacket. I also booked my flight to Amsterdam and Brussels in November to meet up with my aunt and cousins while they are there. I’m really excited to see them and discover two new cities I’ve never been to. After that, I basically watched Netflix and rediscovered my love for the movie “She’s All That”. If you haven’t watched it and love rom-coms from the 90s like me, you have to watch it. I’ve said it once and I’ll say it again, Italian Netflix is a goldmine for rom-coms (I’m in love).

10/27/19 – Sunday was used mostly to relax and write this blog. Hannah got back last night, so we went to dinner to share about our trips.