Firenze fa freddo.

OH MY GOD, IT IS F-ING COLD HERE.

Nobody told me it was going to be windy, rainy, and sub-freezing. There was snow last week. Snow!!!

I bought a coat though, and it’s soooo purdy. It goes down to my mid-thigh but it’s fitted at the waist, and very flattering. Sometimes when I put it on, though, especially when I’m wearing my leather gloves too, I feel like I’m going to go fight a duel or kill a man’s favorite horse and put its head in bed with him.

That, or a little bit euro-trashy. You guys are going to be so excited to see me when I come back, if only to stare at my new-found tackiness (although some would argue it’s always been there, evidenced by my love for sequins and animal print).

Speaking of animal print, I fell in love with un colbacco, a big Russian style hat made entirely of fox fur. Gabriella (my host mom) explained to me that they call that style un colbacco because it looks like the hats the British guards wear. I don’t really get it, but I’m getting used to that feeling.

Oh, did I mention the hat was 80 euro? That, and the fact that a fox-fur hat is totally impractical in this rainy climate, convinced me to look for a fake one. Yes, you read that right: Obviously, I still want a giant fur hat.

I told you, I am fully embracing my inner euro-trash.

FIRENZE!!!

I have been insanely busy!! I will have some real posts and stories again soo, I promise, but for now just finding an InternetTrain has been extremely frustrating!

This morning I walked to il Merchato Vecchio to look at the leather goods. I wan't planning on buying anything yet (EXCEPT A WINTER COAT, IT IS FREAKING COLD AND WINDY), and all of the men were so pushy about trying to get me to buy something. I noticed the woman next to me spoke Spanish, so I turned to her and made a comment about them. We ended up talking for a while and it turns out she owns one of the stalls. Long story short... I DID end up buying a darling little purse (I want to carry something small when I don't need my school book, etc, because I can keep it closer to my body). Her husband made them, and she said because I was "si bella e si fredda!!" (so pretty and so cold!) and also vacationed in Mexico this summer, she would give me a good deal. She brought out all of her purses and asked what I was looking for, what kind of things I liked.

It was the most fun I think I've ever had shopping; it didn't FEEL like shopping! I found one that is just perfect, just very much my style, and I knew it when she pulled it out. She agreed (of course she agreed, haha) and told me it was 45 euro. I checked the tag and it was £95! I told her I would bring my friends back and she said, No, you dont need to do that, but maybe come and visit some time.

Hahaha so hopefully I didn't just get caught in a crazy tourist trap, but she really was sweet and she gave me the card to her husband's leather shop. I'm going to have to look it up when it comes time for my BIG shopping.