l’italia.nell.anima

I finished work this evening around 7 and walked across the Ponte Vecchio to meet Rino at the other side of the Arno, for an aperitivo. We always go to the same place, an Irish pub called Friends. I love the atmosphere and they have the most amazing aperitivos. The best part is with a glass of yummy red wine, an entire buffet of crostini are available…we spent a few hours there tonight with Lupen (more to come on Lupen later…the love of my life) drinking wine, sittin g outside, munching on crostini and talking.

I moved in with Rino about 2 weeks ago and he is an amazing roommate. We get along so great…we spend hours listening to music, watching movies, discussing politics, talking, laughing, and riding around on his motorcycle. We talk to eachother about work, family, girlfriends, boyfriends, everything. He is an amazing friend and such a good soul. He is also (attempting) to teach me out to cook….God Bless him,  I dont think he knows what he signed up for. I am staying with him for the next couple of months until I can sistemare le cose…until I have enough to look for my own place. But I know even then, we will still hang out.

His apartment is about 15 minutes from work…I tookhis bike a few times this week and I have to say it is an amazing feeling, riding to work in the morning, along the Arno, taking in the sites of MY city. I love Florence more and more everyday. I ride past the Ponte Vecchio and I take in all the sites, sounds, smells of this city. There is so much to discover here, so many little places that I would not normally know about. A few days ago I found a Rose Garden…it is only open 2 months a year and it is an oasis of every type of Rose…the views from the garden make it seem like paradise.

And work..I love my job. It is nonstop chaos, but a good chaos. The hours go by so fast and I acutally enjoy what I am doing. The girls I work with are funny, intelligent and hard workers…we get along great and that makes such a difference when working somewhere. I really could not ask for more.

When I left work today I looked around and thought to myself…I hope this feeling never goes away…but I dont think it would ever be possible to not be in love with this city…I am truly infatuated.

An hour ago, I signed a work contract…for an amazing tourguide company in the heart of Florence!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

FINALMENTE!!!! I AM ON CLOUD 9!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I fell in love this weekend, yet again, with yet another part of this country: Elba. It was the perfect weekend.

Friday I had a colloquio in Firenze for a tourguide company that caters to the English speaking crowd, and are known for having mothertounge English tourguides. Things went well- but as things go here, I can never jump the gun, count my chickens, etc etc. I have to keep reminding myself it’s Italy.

After my interview, Rino and I drove back to Montecatini. We met up with my cousin Fabio and got all our bags together. Then we headed out. It was about a little over an hour to get to Piombino. Riding in the evening, on the expressway is definitely not as fun as riding during the day on back roads, nor is it as comfortable! We finally got to Piombino and waited about 20 mins for the ferry.

The ferry ride to Elba was magical. It was dusk, there was a red sunset, and in the distance we could see small islands all around only lit up by the piazza and street lights. When we arrived it was like being in another world. We rode out of the ferry into the night, up and down the hills of Elba, heading for the hotel. The views were unbelievable. So many times we would be heading uphill for 10 minutes at a time, and then all of a sudden you could see breathtaking views of the small cities scattered below.

After checking into the hotel, we met up with Nikita, Rino’s niece, Fabio’s cousin (and therefore mine as well). We had dinner at a beautiful restaurant right by the beach, but it was tucked away (those always seem to be the best restaurants). Afterwards we walked along the docks and imagined what it would be like to have a boat. We came to the conclusion we would all win the lottery, and buy a beautiful sail boat and sail all summer long from Elba to Sardegna to Corsica.

The next day we woke up and had breakfast at a beachside cafe. We sat for hours over our cappucinos just watching the boats go by and enjoying the gorgeous weather. We then took the bikes and rode all over the island, visiting different beaches and stopping for lunch along the way. That evening, Nikita had to go back to work (she works at a hotel In Elba) so Fabio, Rino and I had an aperitivo and walked around until she got off. Dinner that night was wonderful and then we enjoyed some drinks at a bar afterwards. Both Rino and Nikita celebrated their birthdays this May 5th, so we had lots to celebrate. Besides a small fight that Fabio and I got into (involving The Rolling Stones and The Beatles, very long story) the night was absolutely amazing.

The next day we said our goodbyes, and took our time leaving the island. We rode some more on our bikes, visited a few more towns, had lunch, and eventually said farewell to the beautiful Elba. I am sure there will be many more visits….

Yesterday evening I went with my cousin Fabio into Florence. We had to pick up his motorcycle at the Harley shop as it was being repaired.

We then met up with Rino and all had an aperitivo at a bar by the Arno…Florence at night is like another city for me. There is something so amazing about it and I realized how much I really wanted to stay here. I had the feeling of, It’s ok…things will work themselves out.

Fabio and Rino were talking about what they were planning on doing this weekend. They mentioned Elba and my ears perked up…I’ve never been and have always wanted to go! Rino has a niece who works at a hotel there and can find us cheap rates to stay for the weekend. So Friday night we are heading to Elba on the motorcycles (and YES!!! I will be wearing a helmet!!!)

Afterwards I followed Fabio home…I have to say, driving in Florence is absolutely crazy and I do NOT enjoy it. We had a great dinner and then Fabio’s friend, Stefano, took me out to…da da da…Florence! I can’t get enough of the city. We went to Fiesole, I’ve never been before. The view of Florence from Fiesole is just amazing…

Today is a holiday…and gorgeous outside…so I’m turning this comp off and heading there now.

Buon WeekEnd!

…that things happen for a reason

…that as dissapointed as I was, I will find something

..that I will look back on this experience and smile

..that I will keep going.

Text I received this morning from Rino (my aunt Paola’s brother):

Ciao Laura, come va? Volevo dirti che non ti devi scoragiare, tira fuori la grinta e insisti. Vedra in qualche modo ti sistemi. FAI UN BEL SORRiSO.

And that’s exactly what I plan on doing.

Oh wow…I was so sure I was going to get it. They called and told me out of 25 applicants, down to us two, it went to the other girl.

I can’t say I’m not dissapointed…I’m very dissapointed. I was so sure. And I already had my heart set on Florence…what scares me more is today after sending an email to the Ischia position asking about contract information, they expressed concerns that I would not like-adapt to island life. So are they taking away the offer now?

How did I go from 2 amazing offers to maybe nothing??

 

I am still waiting…I can’t sit still. One more hour till I hear what direction my life will be taking.

AHHHH IT’S DRIVING ME CRAZY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I will know if I’m staying in Firenze or going to Ischia!

I had my prova yesterday, a 2-hour meet and greet with the staff of FDJ, and it went wonderfully.

The staff was so nice, and I left satisfied.

Today the other applicant will do the same prova and by this afternoon they will have made a decision….

 What Excitement!!

Yesterday I went to Firenze for a second colloquio- this is not the position I had previously been talking about, but still an amazing position and job opportunity.
I had an interview scheduled for the Friday after I arrived and it went well. A few days later they called me and asked for a 2nd interview that was scheduled yesterday. I went…and was offered the job!!! I have asked for a few days to get back to them; like I said this is not the FDJ (Firenze Dream Job) I talked about below, but it still an amazing offer. I would have to move to…da da da da…Ischia! So now, even if FDJ doesn’t work out, I still have a fallback job that I must say, ain’t too shabby at all.

So now, on this beautiful Friday I am the happiest I’ve been in a while. And to top off the gorgeous weather that is making the smile on my face bigger, I plan on riding all over Tuscany with my cousin and uncles on their motorcycles. I couldn’t imagine a better way to take in this place and enjoy every minute of it….

I’m also learning how to ride myself. Apparently the International Driver’s Licensce from AAA allows you to not only operate cars, but motorcycles as well….hoorah!

 

Ever since I came back here from vacation back home, everything has changed.

I feel as if all my dissapointment and insecurities about coming back are completely gone and it’s as if I’m here for the first time again. I’m not really sure what happened- but I think alot of it has to do with support from my friends, family and others who told me to keep on keeping on.

It’s amazing how the way you look at things can really change the way things are…

A few weeks ago I really thought that I would only be coming back for a few weeks. I really was thinking in my head, this just isn’t going to happen. What do I do now that my dreams are not what I thought? Where do I go from here?

Well I feel like I got a second chance. Everything this time seems to be going right. And…da da da da…I have found a DREAM JOB. I always thought, It doesn’t matter what kind of job I have, as long as I am in Italy. But somehow, I have found a dream job in my dream city, Firenze.

I have passed the first 2 interviews for this job. Now, it is down to me and one other applicant. I know this is what I am meant to be doing. Lunedi I go for a 2 hour “prova” and to meet the staff. Tuesday the other applicant will be doing the same. And I am assuming we should know who gets it by Wednesday.

I have never in my life wanted something so badly. The job, the place, the people- it all seems to fit together. And I feel if I had job like this, I would never wake up feeling as if I was going to work- I would actually enjoy it.

So thank you so much for all your support. I even had a blogging friend text me to say I could stay with her and her family if things work out- it’s amazing how when you surround yourself with such positive people, everything changes.

Will keep you all updated….keep your fingers crossed. I am planning on knocking this one out of the ballpark!

VIVA ITALIA! VIVA FIRENZE! VIVA I SOGNI!!!!