Buon Natale! in other words Merry Christmas

Paper lights at the Christmas market

     As Christmas day neared less and less people were to be seen. The days were long and yet they seemed short if you imagine that sort of thing happening. I filled my time with books, tv shows, and random trips to the center. I didn't usually go out for any reason in particular besides the fact that I knew I needed to see the outside world more than just traveling from my room to the cafeteria. The food was mostly leftovers, but it was free so I couldn't complain. I traveled to the local Christmas market in front of Santa Croce several times. For the most part I just wanted to take pictures.

It was great seeing what interesting items would be at the market and what lovely foods would be presented. Around the 20th my roommate came back for a day before heading off to Rome and Germany with her brother. On the 23rd Andrea came back with her brother! I was so excited to see her. We all went out for crapes that night. (the crapes are AMAZING) I "helped" her pack the rest of the things left in the room. Really I just sat on her bed and talked to her while she gave me things she wasn't going to take with her.

I won't lie I got a lot of neat stuff. Christmas eve we had dinner at Graciela the cook's house. It was amazing and we had a full course meal. There were about two or three students left at the school including myself. I really got some Italian speaking practice in. When we came into the house everything was decorated so nicely and the heavenly smell that wafted from the kitchen almost made you want to cry.

 

The next day was Christmas and while I knew that for some reason I kept forgetting. I woke up very sad because this was the first time I really felt homesick. I don't remember much of the morning, but for lunch I was invited to one of the deans house. The meal was great! I especially loved the deserts which were made out of nutella. I couldn't wait to skype my mom though. I got on and we only skyped for about 30 minutes before she had to go. I then got on with my great aunt and spent most of the afternoon talking with her. I gave her a small tour of some of the amazing places I've been. When I got off with her it was about time for dinner. The day went by quickly and before I knew it, it was over. The next day I packed my stuff and made my way to the train station. It was time for me to start having some holiday adventures of my own!