Last Days

Thursday was cinco de mayo, or should I say “cinque de maggio”

 Reasons why this day was important:

1.     It was our second to last day

2.     The art show and farewell reception was happening

3.     It was Nicole’s actual last day

Naturally we had to make the most of it! Since none of us had exams we woke up and made mimosas and hung around the apartment for a little. 

Victoria and Nicole came over and then we all went to Santa Croce to soak up the sun! 

outside Santa Croce

Me, Devon, Victoria and Justin all had work in the show and Marlene and Nicole were coming to see! Everyone’s work turned out so well :) 

The show included the drawing students, painting, fresco and photography. 

Tiziano our teacher put on a slideshow/video he made of all of us and it was really great.

After the show we brought out work to Nicole and Victoria’s apartment and then went to the farewell reception.

 We were back in the same room that it all started with, a lot of things had come full circle and this was one of them. There was a slide show of pictures that people submitted and refreshments. 

Mmmmmm refreshments.

 It was just really weird because we were all in that same room in the very beginning and no one knew anyone.  And now it was the end and friendships were formed and there were jokes and memories and blahhhh so sentimental.

After the reception we went to Victoria’s and had some drinks and then went to get an early dinner. Gusta Pizza one last time? Don’t mind If I do!

Then we met up with all the art kids and Tiziano for some goodbyes and drinks. Tiziano was so sweet when he was saying goodbye to us it was actually really sad. He told the three of us (Devon, Victoria and i) that we had brought a lot of happiness to the class and that he really enjoyed getting to know us all. And then he said, and I quote “have a nice life, see you on facebook”

 It was really sweet/sad/funny

After that we carried on! Niama here we come. Niama is our favorite bar, and it being Nicole’s night no one was allowed to go home or go to sleep! 

We got our drinks and were trying to rally and then the wonderful pirate bartender came over with free tequila shots. Woof tequila. 

We were there for a while and then went with Nicole as she said goodbye to people she needed to see. It was quite sad actually and I hated it! We ended up back at Naima and the majority of the program was there and it was just a lot of fun. All in all it was a great/perfect day- so sunny and fun and we didn’t go home for hours and it was the best.

All the girls outside Niama!

So the whole night was all about Nicole cause it was her last, and her flight was supposed to be 7 am on Friday- WELP SURPRISE! 

There was a strike so the lucky lady got one more day in Florence J

Friday

Friday was our actual actual last full day in Florence. 

Devon and I had to store our luggage for while we went to Barcelona..WELP we go to the place to drop off our luggage and SURPRISE the place does not exist. DOES NOT EXIST! 

Super!

We found another place that was trustworthy and the woman who owns it was really great, thank goodness for that.

Mostly we just walked around and said goodbyes to places and buildings and things!

Friday night we went up to Piazza Michelangelo for one last sunset, so sad. So beautiful!

After sunset the three of us (Devon, Marlene and I) went to dinner at Tarocchi. Last dinner! Of course we had to get pear-ravioli! 

Mostly we just reminisced and tried to keep each other from crying, anytime it got to a sad point someone would say something dumb or silly that someone did and kept things going.

Jovan, our favorite waiter

Saying bye to Jovan was so sad, he's been our main waiter and we really liked him. Made me cry!

After that we went out into the world! Last night gotta live it up ya know?! 

Devon had confetti in this huge bag...

so we were frolicking around Florence and throwing it on all the places we love!

We went to Niama and then hung outside Santa Croce for a while. 

Saying goodbye was THE WORSTTTTT and I hated it!

We were all over the place with crying and saying bye and it was so sad!

Amazing times and people though, I will never ever ever forget this experience.

Now I am in Barcelona with Devon, more stories to come next post!