So we arrived at JFK at around 2:00pm for a 5:30 flight. We were struggle central. I don’t know why or how Steph and I had so much more stuff than everyone else, but we did. She somehow got away with every single one of her bags being overweight. I have a huge camping backpack that weighed probably about the same as I do and was just as tall. Bringing that and my longchamp through the airport was a sight.
Once we got to the terminal, things were great. It kind of felt like we were shooting the breeze at Statler, there were so many Cornellians. We were easily 1/8 of the flight. This was both incredibly comforting and also disorienting because it made it hard to actually get it into my head that we’re going abroad and not just on a Cornell field trip. On the flight we didn’t have TV’s!! That was rough. Good thing I had Mean Girls. Steph slept like an infant in one position the entire trip (this flight sponsored in part by Nyquil).
it's like The Shining for canines
We landed in Rome and walked what felt like an eternity to the terminal for our flight to Florence. What a scene we were. I was hunched over with my backpack and my bag on my shoulder, clumping around in my rainboots. As soon as we finally saw our gate, a man came up to Steph and asked where she was going. When she said Firenze he just said “no no no too big” and made us follow him so she could check her carryon. It was creepy. He said his name was Marco, but it wasn’t because I read his nametage so that was sketchtastic. We were convinced Steph wasn’t getting her bag when we landed. He tried to take mine but I fought it like a pro and won.
Both of my suitcases were amongst he first on the carousel when we arrived and things seemed good. So what if our cab driver hit a man on a bicycle on our way to check-in, no big deal. Things were fine! We got checked in, got our phones (which were iffy) and went to our apartment.
What to say about the apartment? I will leave you with a series of facts.
– It was subterrain. The windows were right under the ceiling and lead directly into some family’s courtyard. Saddam Hussein’s hideout was nicer than this
– The family had two dogs and two cats (which would be cute if we weren’t allergic). When we opened our windows
Hey, cat. Fancy meeting you here.
(which had no glass on them) their faces were TWO INCHES from ours and they could have jumped in if they wanted to. This was the case with 3/4 windows. I apologize to my mom, for I laughed at her when she suggested I write I’m allergic to cats on my housing form. I replied “why would there be cats in my apartment. That’s unnecessary.” I deserved this
-The 4th window led to a creepy courtyard filled with chopped wood. The man whose courtyard we lived in was a woodcutter of some kind
– He was holding an ax (as in a hatchet) when he told us that the cats who lived in our hallway were “free”. Oh. Kay. Strays and hatchets. So comforting.
-We were a isolated from everyone
– There were bug zappers and spray everywhere. We encountered 2 spiders and a daddy long legs
– There was so much dust that within three seconds I had an allergy attack and couldn’t breathe
-Because of the windows location, whenever the man walked by he was basically in our apartment. With no glass. If we wanted light or to air things out we were basically inviting him and his zoo into our humble dungeon
Wwe freaked out and ended up spending our first night in Florence in a hotel while simultaneously contacting everyone in SAI who could help, and our concerned mothers. I know this makes us sound really jappy and high maintenance, but it was really necessary. The hotel was great, and we had a continental breakfast!! Amazing. Showering never felt so good.
Amy's just happy she has someone who will talk to her, even if from across the fireplace.
The next day we met with the Vice President (yea we network like that). He was shocked at our living conditions. So now we’re at a bed and breakfast (A GLUTEN FREE bed and breakfast) across the hall from the VP until Monday!! He is great. We spent the afternoon with him as we figured things out. We have a bathtub AND a shower!! High class. But we have literally been running around nonstop since we got here. Full disclosure: I’m wearing the same underwear and sweatshirt I wore on the plane two days ago. I forgot to bring to the hotel last night and we literally were not alone the ENTIRE afternoon since we were figuring out the living and then had to go to a welcome dinner (which was delicious) so I have had ZERO opportunities to remedy the situation. You’re all welcome for the information. Steph really wanted me to share it.
Besides all of that, things are great. Yesterday we spent the whole day really upset because of the apartment, but Zoe’s mom was there to comfort us (and by that I mean save us), but now that we know we’re being taken care of and everyone knows us (so embarrassing) we’re really happy. We keep getting free stuff. We got free chocolates from shmoozing the man at the wine store, and after our first dinner the owner took lemoncelli shots with us. Steph used hand gestures to ask if you take it like a shot or sip it, and he responded “No, honey. It’s not tequila”. We love the area we’re currently in, and hope that wherever we move is just as great. And we’re branching out (HA. We have 1.5 non-Cornell friends). And we’re in effing Florence. Even when living in a bunker next to a potential ax-murderer and his guard dogs, how bad can it be?
"If that fell on you, it would really suck"
And now… QUOTES FROM STEPHYPOO:
“Are you going to use this bidet? If not, can I put my toiletries in it?” 1. umm, no. 2. even if I were to, I don’t think they’re mutually exclusive.
“Shit I need some mini perfumes!” I think you will survive without mini perfumes. Especially since I have the entire Marc Jacobs collection travel kit (except Oh, Lola!).
“You want to make a good impression. And that shirt is not it”
“I am feeling very unsettled”
whatisshedoing 