I can't believe I'm here…in Italy! Everything is so much like I remembered it… it's like an art history textbook in three dimensional, living, breathing color. Aunt Georgia is great - she says to say "hi" to all my buddies in "gli Stati Uniti." But actually I haven't seen that much of Aunt Georgia because she's usually working - which gives me all the time in the world to meander around the city. It's neat to be back in a city again… though clearly -- Florence is NOTHING like Providence. It's actually like no place else in the world! The food is amazing - I'm avoiding the wine (for obvious reasons)even though it's hard to resist around here. They drink wine here with everything, and I mean everything! So, in short - I'm having a great time. But it's funny…everywhere I turn there's something that reminds me of you guys… I'll see this great artwork and I'll want to tell Jack and Joey about it. I immediately think "I should call Jen" when I see a cute boy on the Via Ghibellina…or a pizza will remind me of Pacey (don't ask!) And it's weird not to be able to turn around and tell you guys these things. It makes me sad…but I'm also happy - because for the first time in my life I'm embarking on an experience entirely on my own. And even though I'm lonely from time to time… at least the independence makes me feel really, really good.

Well, that's all for now… I have a date with a museum :)

More later - hope you're all doing well.

Love,
Andie