Classes begin

We had our first lecture today with Dr. Sofi who is a practicing internal medicine specialist. He has studied the Medditerrenean diet and lifestyle and has done a lot of research on the topic. The first thing he pointed out is that it is not a "diet" as we think about it, it is a lifestyle. I feel like I am already understanding is lifestyle after just a few days. When we go out to eat, we spend at least 2.5 - 3 hours at the restaurant. The food delivery is methodically brought out with plant of time to enjoy each course.  This spacing prevents me from scrafing my food down so I don't feel super bloated when I am done eating. I cant say that I see a have difference in portion sizes really, at least not in the places where we have eaten. Because if all the courses were served on the same plate  at once it would pretty much look like a regular american size meal. The delivery and spacing of each course makes it different. So a couple of nights ago they brought out first course, pasta, then I got my salad, no ranch dressing here..lol - just straight up balsamic vinegar and olive oil, which I use anyway. So no problem for me. Then they brought out the third course, my delicious pork chop. And there was wine among that and bread. It was awesome! Of course after that we went to get our gelato.  It was not rushed, it settled well in my tummy and was so enjoyable!  The other part is the walking... walking, walking, walking. That is what we spend most of our time doing, which is great. I have been averaging 18,000 to 20,000 steps a day. Back home on a good day I averaged like 6,000. So I am walking a lot!
At 3:00 I have my first cooking class.  Can't wait for that! Will try to get some photos up soon. You an look on Facebook. I put a free there.  Va bene!

Florence here I am!

I made it to Florence. It is amazing here. My class instructor met me at the train station and we headed to our apartment building. We are one block from the Academia, the place where Michaelangelo's David is located. Two blocks from the duomo the most photographed structure in Florence. Shoppers will not be bored around here. Shops on the streets and in every building pretty much. Foodies will find a restaurant, cafe, wine bar, pizzeria, every 10 feet. You could go to a different restaurant or 3 every day and never go to the same place twice in a year! Last night I was alone and managed to meet a couple from Houston, TX. I boldly asked if I could join them for dinner. We had such a great time together. After dinner I took them to Groms gelateria, the best gelato in Florence acording to my instructors and Rick Steves. Organic and all natural. I had pistachio and coffee flavors... I almost fainted it was so delicious. Today I am in my apartment. I am housed on the first floor with the instructors. So glad because the other students are on 2nd floor. No elevators and I have a super heavy load. My room has glass doors that open into a courtyard. I will post pictures on Facebook. I haven't figured out the photo upload from my camera yet. I have to get on a real computer on campus to do that, but I can mobile upload to Facebook.  Well that is all for now. Ciao.

Venice Rocks!

Wow I just spent like 20 minutes writing a post and something kicked me out and I lost it... too tired go replicate it.  Will post something tomorrow... bottom line, I'm in Venice now and all I can say is that Venice is freaking amazing.... night all.

Butterfly Flutters

As time approaches and I think of this trip I am getting butterflies in my tummy. Just 18 more days until I board that plane for Venice. But first I have to get through exam week and wrap up thinks at work.  Much to do but I can only approach it one day at a time. Live in the moment and don't dress out... yes this will be my mantra for the next two weeks.  It is hard for me to believe that I have been planning this trip for nearly 4 years.  Suddenly I feel like I have so much to do.  I am working on staying focused (at least until my last exam on Thursday).
Well all I can tell myself is whatever gets done, - gets done.... all else will just have to be.  Ciao for now... time to study.

My Go Girl is here!

So, for those of you who don't know this about me... I have an aversion to public restrooms. I am not going to lie, I would rather risk bustin' my bladder than using a nasty restroom. I have no idea what public restrooms overseas are like.  Surely there are some descent ones. But I have also heard nightmares.  Rather than risking it I decided to get one of these!
I don't remember now how I found out about the Go Girl, but am I glad I did.  I will be able to "go" standing up!!! Yep.  It is a device for women to pee standing up.  I know it is not the most pleasant thing to talk about, but it blesses me to have one of these.  It came in its own cylindrical case, along with a storage bag for after it is used and toilet tissue!! Isn't it cool?!

By the way, this is a handy tool to have when camping, hiking, or spending any amount of time in remote locations.

1 Woman, 1 River, 2600 miles

Forgot to give a shout out to my friend, and blogger Janet Moreland.  She recently took off on her own big adventure starting at Brower's Springs, Montana... 1 Woman, 1 River, 2600 miles. She is on a solo expedition on the Missouri river. This is her blog link  http://loveyourbigmuddy.com/  She will be the first woman to complete this feat in history... Go Janet... my thoughts and prayers are with you!  Godspeed.... oxox

It's been a while

Although it has been a while, I continue planning and preparing (32 days to departure).  We had a class orientation meeting a couple of weeks ago.  Got more details on our schedule. The class I will be in  actually starts at 3:30 every day, which means I am free to do anything until class time every day.  I could get up early and catch a train to Pisa, or museum hop, as long as I am back in time for class. Of course, we will have assignments and I will likely have to use the computer lab on campus, so it's not like I will be roaming the streets of Florence everyday, just nearly every day!  We have several excursions scheduled.  One will be an all day trip to the Cinque Terre.  Rick Steves' website has become my #1 travel resource, this link is from his site - check it out!  http://www.ricksteves.com/plan/destinations/italy/cinqueterre.htm   I am looking forward to an all day hike that day ending with a dip in the Mediterranean.   We will also visit a Parmigiano Cheese Factory, note to self, stock up on some cheese... as well as a traditional Balsamic Vinegar Consortium producer in Modena. By the way, balsamic vinegar is my fave... and I have a brand that I get which is produced in Modena.  A visit to a pasta maker is also on the itinerary.  We will learn about "slow food" - the opposite of fast food, which is the Mediterranean way to eat... I hope to be Mediterreneanized by the time I get back, I think I just made up that word.  I am looking forward to learning how to slow down in life.  Especially after the last month between class and work, been busy and stressed. Enough for now... Ciao amicos, more to follow.