Day 11, long ass day.
To best understand my day, I'm going to divide it in 3 areas: Morning, Afternoon, and Evening.
But before I get started, I'm going to provide a bit of a background of a situation we were having here. The reason I just now am writing about it is because we were waiting for it to get resolved before posting anything. This is so parents, friends, and family who read this wouldn't freak out. In short the 3rd and 4th floors of our apartment were infested with bedbugs. Luckily I live on the 2nd floor and did not have this issue. After complaints after complaints from students, as well as our chef we finally caught some of the little beasts and gave them to the host school. They decided that it would be best to spray a bit and see if they went away. If they didn't they would gas bomb the apartment. Yesterday they did such. Because of the bombing, we were not allowed to go into the apartment from 9:30 am to 9 pm. Wednesdays being one of my days off from Ganzo, I wanted a nice nap before exploring the city, but I didn't get that.
Yesterday in class we made ossobucco milinase and seafood risotto. The ossobucco we braised and served over saffron risotto. The seafood risotto was made using fish stock and finished with shrimp and fresh scallops. The risotto milinase was wonderful. The flavor of the saffron paired well with the tomato in the braise for the ossobucco. The seafood risotto was okay, it had a really strong seafood flavor but would be great if paired with the right wine. It was nice getting to learn the Italian tradition of risotto instead of the Americanized version we get stateside. In Italy, it is traditional for the rice to be served al-dente, with a slight bite, like dried pasta and for the dish to be much more creamer and runnier than what we can find in the states. Also, seasoning in the risotto method is very important. Corse grain sea salt should be added when toasting the rice instead of seasoning at the end. This is to help the flavors merge together and create a better final product.
Since it was wednesday, after lab we had a mini excursion to the Doumo. I've walked past the Doumo dozens of times, living just 2 blocks from it (the Doumo is Florence's central cathedral that started construction in the late 1400's.). Since we had a guided tour it was nice to learn some of the interesting facts about the construction and how it was both an engineering feat of its time as well as a culmination of artists throughout northern Italy to create a wonderful masterpiece. When we got inside a vast dimly lit sanctuary greeted us with its intricate marble floors and beautiful fresco in the dome that depicts Heaven and Hell. There was a tiny old lady far off in the corner playing the organ, a rairity to hear when touring a cathedral. An interesting fact about the Doumo is its dome. It is actually 2 domes, an inner and outer dome. This is because of the weight and design of the dome is to be self supportive as it goes up. This same construction provided inspiration for the design and construction of the dome on the capital in Washington, D.C.
After our excursion, I decided that I desperately needed a haircut. I set out to find somewhere to get it cut, which is daunting enough in the states. (for those who don't know me well, I am very particular about my hair. There have only been 3 people who I have gone back to a second time out of the probably 8 or so who have ever cut my hair). I finally came across a place that seemed inviting. The hours on the door were in English. I went in and asked if they took cards. They said yes and I sat down to get my hair cut. The experience was a quite interesting one. The girl cutting my hair didn't speak English well and my Italian is limited to general greetings, shopping, and culinary. We managed to figure out what I wanted through a series of laughs, pointing and saying un poco mas (a little more). In the end, I got a great haircut that I am extremely pleased with (a true rarity for me).
This week in Florence is also fashion week. There have been fashion shows, parties and the debut of new fall/winter 2011 clothes. I originally sat out to find some shorts and decided that I would take the afternoon to go clothes shopping. Most of the stores I went into did not have shorts anymore because of the new stuff being out. The stores that did, either the fit was weird or they were too expensive. One of the things I found most interesting when shopping was the influence of American culture and fashion on European ones. Often people associate Europe with the hottest trends, but the trends that are in stores aren't too different from American ones. For fall and winter there is alot of use of plaid, natural materials (wools, etc.) as well as skinny pants that are cuffed. The styles are similar to something you would see in Ralph Lauren. Another interesting thing I found was the use of Americana in t-shirts. Nearly every store has t-shirts with pictures of Disney Characters, pop culture figures such as Al Pachino, Lady GaGa and Marilyn Monroe. In the end, got a pair of pants and a checked shirt. (I'm still on the hunt for some shorts).
After some more window shopping and walking around the city, It was close to 8:30. I decided to head back towards the apartment and sit on the stoop and write a few postcards (which I'm mailing on the way to work today). Finally 9 came and we could all re-enter the apartment. I came in and made my bed and sat down to read some. Around 11 I dosed off and went to sleep. A good day all together.
The medicine I am taking has helped my vertigo/ear mess alot and now I'm battling crazy sinuses and stuffyness. Hopefully the antihistamine di allergia I got this afternoon will help resolve that.
For now, that's all I have. I haven't had the time to upload any pictures, hopefully this weekend I will find the time and upload a few. (Ive taken almost 2,000 at this point).
Once again, If you would like a post card from me, please don't hesitate to send me your address on facebook. It helps me when I can stay connected through my blog and writing those back home.
Much Love.
Until-
Matt
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