Last Day of Vacation

Ciao! It has been an extremely hot few days and I feel like there is absolutely no way to cool off. Sleeping is rough not only because it is hot but because we are all still somewhat on New York time. Today I forced myself to get up and struggle through the tiredness. We had planned to go to Cinque Terre today to do a hiking trip which is supposed to have some breath taking views but it rained, so we rescheduled for next weekend. Who knew there was rainy weather here?! Not me. Anyways, we are preparing for school today because classes begin tomorrow (I guess we had to wake up and realize this is not simple a vacation for 4 months).Our school is like a city school; there is not a real campus but instead the buildings are scattered throughout the city. I am excited to start my cooking class and my Italian class (I am taking an elementary level but the professor has already warned us she will not be speaking any English..yikes!).

There was a market in a piazza near by yesterday that we stumbled upon. We bought tons of vegetables for next to nothing and again, we were given free figs which are becoming one of my favorite fruits. Although I feared gaining tons of weight from eating just pasta and piazza in Italy I seem to be keeping healthy because of all the fresh food markets.  The portions that are served at restaurants are also not as big as in America, except for the pizzas which are huge.

We have acquired a house pet! Originally he was an unwelcome one, but now since he has reappeared twice we are embracing his presence. He is a baby gecko! We found him in our kitchen the other day and tried to scoop him up and bring him outside but he reappeared. He is the size of an insect so we are leaving him in the corner of the kitchen where he somehow goes in and out through a crack in the wall.

So for our last day of "vacation" (boo!) we are just continuing to explore the city and get ready for classes.