The beginning of a break

        Break started early in the month. Now that all the test had been taken and bags were packed, people were free to breath for a bit. A few people had already left on their long journeys. Those of us that remained took up the art of movie watching and pizza eating. I had held out on tv shows for the entire semester. I must have caught up on at least 5 or 6 seasons of different shows in total. A semi large group decided to meet for dinner at Gusta Pizza (The most amazing pizza in the world). It was one of the last nights we were able to spend with Andrea (the amazing person) before she left to go back to the Americas. I left early with a book in hand. It was slightly chilly outside, but the environment meshed perfectly with what I was reading. I was in the center with kids running all around, people busy shopping, a band setting up nearby and the quiet song of the carousel beside me. The book was called Night Circus. As I read through the pages I felt a deeper connection because of where I had placed myself. When I eventually looked down to see what time it was I noticed I was already a few minutes late. I made my way through the warmly light cobble stone streets to Ponte Vecchio. The jewels and gold jewelry glittered brightly as I walked past the dozens of fancy shops. I turned down a few roads and eventually found myself at our designated meeting spot. No one was there. I looked in to see if perhaps they had already sat down or something. Nothing. I had a small panic rising because I knew I had no way to communicate with anyone about a change of plans. As soon as that thought entered my mind it was washed away with the reassurance that the group I was with was always late. Time went by ever so slowly. 15 minutes passed when I finally saw Andrea walking down the street with her brother. She handed me a bag of cookies they had just bought at the Christmas market. I pulled one out and stuffed it into my mouth. I don't play around with my sweets. It's a serious business, but I was also starving at that point. I had no relief from the fresh oven baked pizza wafting through the door to meet my nose. We had to stand outside and wait a little bit longer for the rest of our party to arrive. FINALLY I see them come around the corner. Hunger has taken over my mind and I can't even talk straight at this point. I'm basically just standing there going, "yeah, yeah, ok, hjejekj, nom,what? PIZZA!" I'm pretty sure that was my exact thought process. We go in order at the counter and pay. (that's the way you do it at this place..pay then eat)  Everyone ordered, we got our number, then we had to wait around for a table to become free. This is not an easy place to get a seat at. So maybe an hour after we said we all would meet we finally get some noms (food) give or take a couple of valuable minutes. The end result was a masterpiece in and of its self. Cheese pizza with friends! What could be better? Before I inhaled my pizza I decided to exercise what little control I had left to finally snap a picture of the art work in front of me.

Oh! the noms were amazing

We even got a group picture! 

Obviously the excitement was well contained

After we all had our amazing pizza meal we went out for gelato (it's a tradition) and looked over to bridge to gaze at the Ponte Vecchio. Una bella giornata! It was a beautiful way to start our break. Sadly most everyone left the next day to begin their travel adventures. We all gathered on the bus to make our way back home. For the rest of the night I had my nose stuck in a book until I finished it. It's days like these that leave me thankful. Thankful for friends, relationships, food! and so much more. I'm blessed to be on this adventure with the amazing people that surround me.