Italian Chinese and American Chinese are not the same

We packed up our bags, shoved trash into bags, and lefts the keys on the table. We drug our luggage past the Colosseum for the last time. I am sure no one could ever get tired of having that massive building outside their front door step. The train to Florence came at 11:05 and we boarded what we thought was going to be a nice three hour train ride.

The seats were nice at first, a little cramped because of so many people, but not bad. After a few stops the majority of the bus had cleared out, we had been threatened by a ticket checker that we all needed to pay 50 Euro a piece because we did not correctly stamp our tickets, and the A.C. was turned off. No A.C. in a cramped train car that is baking in the sun as it travels along and no windows. We all spread out to seats around the compartment as though we could feel the body heat radiating off the person closest to us. We sat completely drenched in sweat for 4 long hours. Everyone sprawled out as much as possible on the two seats we held, drifting in and out of sleep from the heat.

Stepping off the train in Florence was like having outdoor air conditioning. We launched through the street of Florence and found our Hostel without too many problems. The place we are staying for the next few days is fantastic. They have a pool, sauna, and workout room. There is a bar on the room and the most gorgeous view of the city I have ever seen. The price is a lot cheaper than the Rome apartment. The only difference is that we are in a room with 5 other girls as well as ourselves.

The first thing we did is hop in the pool once settled. The water was freezing, but at least I wasn't as gross. We showered and hit up a Chinese place for dinner which turned out to be a bad idea when Laura and I's dinner came out looking and tasting like cat food. So we got gelato after dinner to make up for it.

Happy 4th of July to everyone.