When I first stepped off the train in Florence I was grinning bigger than the Cheshire Cat. It didn’t matter that I was hot and sweaty or that I still had to carry all my luggage for 20 minutes to reach my hotel. All that mattered was that I was back in Florence.

In 2011, I spent the spring of my sophomore year studying abroad in Florence. I was recently asked if that semester was my best semester at JMU. It wasn’t, but it was definitely the semester that affected me and changed me most. Now, 2.5 years later it was great to be back to familiar Florence, a place that I used to call home.

I spent most of my time in Florence down memory lane.

Me in front of the Ponte Vecchio

Fresh food market at San Lorenzo

Me in front of the Duomo

I was able to go back to JMU (Florence campus…obviously) and catch up with some of the staff there.

Cosima, Chiara, Me & Laura

[[ In case anyone from my program wanted to know…Laura has a 10-month old son and is getting married in Sicily next September. Chiara has a 5-month old son and is on maternity leave until March. Cosima is starting her second year in a three year language/translation program at the University of Florence.]]

I also had dinner one night with my beloved house mom, Elena. I can’t tell you how sad it makes me that she has moved to a different part of town. I have so many great memories in her old house. Still, it was so great to see Elena and to see her doing so well. She loves her new home and I am really happy for her. 🙂

Coincidentally, my good friend, Eric, is doing a masters program through JMU in Florence. He will spend the entire year in Florence (I AM SO FREAKING JEALOUS). He and the other students arrived the day before me in Florence. Thankfully, they let me join in on all of their activities, once their daily orientation was done. I will totally own up to the fact that I was hardcore crashing their Florence party…typical Julia? kiiiinda….haha

JMU Masters Students out in Florence

Eric and me

On Saturday, Eric and I took a walk around Florence. And when I say walk, I really mean like an 8 mile trek…I could barely stand up at the end of the day. We walked to Piazzale Michelangelo and soaked in the great views.

Afterwards, we walked the back streets back to Florence city center, but somehow ended up at the Fort of Belvedere. I have never been there before and to be honest, I didn’t even know it existed. I was pleasantly surprised though – there was an interesting art exhibit, beautiful views and great history. I’m not sure I would go back (paying 5 Euros was enough once), but I’m glad we did it.

Eric with Cowskin Buddha

Eric and this kind of creepy statue??

There are many things I don’t like about Florence. Mostly, the huge amounts of tourists, lack of italians and the overwhelming presence of the english language. However, Florence will always have a special place in the heart…a pretty big special place in my heart. ❤ I have changed a lot as a person because of my time in Florence and it was really meaningful to be back in this city as my improved (hopefully) self.