'Cat Chronicles - Blog 5 - Danielle Muri - Montana State University Athletics

.....four Bobcat student-athletes provide a cooperative blog from their own perspective on the adventures they encounter studying abroad this summer.

Danielle Muri

It's hard to believe it's already been a week! Time is honestly flying by, but my weeks are packed with such incredible adventures. Even the most mundane days I find myself staring around me asking, "Is this real? Am I really in Italy?"

My first week of class was awesome. I have a small class consisting of five other girls; I'm in a drawing "sketchbook" class here and we go around to museums and churches and draw, draw draw. My first day of class we drew from a live nude model- a first for me. The second day we were in the Bargello sculpture museum and on the third day I was back in the Accademia drawing from The David! Talk about surreal. My professor is also great. He is originally from the states, but after meeting the love of his life over here while studying abroad, he moved here and married her. I guess that's why my fiancé put a ring on my finger before I came.

Picture #1: Katherine and I at the TOP of the Duomo! We were so excited that we proceeded to run all the way to the top- precisely 463

steps. It was a great workout. My coaches will be happy to hear that I am still managing to get cardio in. The views from up here were truly incredible. It really put into perspective how crowded and packed the layout of this city is. It also made me realize that while I feel like I've seen the whole city, there is so much more that extends far back into the rolling hills. If you ever come, the Duomo is a must.

Picture #2: My roommates and I at one of the many delicious gelateria places here. This night I had dark chocolate and raspberry cheesecake. You can find gelato anywhere from 1 to 4 euro- the farther out of the touristy historic district you venture, the cheaper it gets. I can confidently say that I have eaten gelato every single night. When in Rome, right?

Picture #3: A view of the sunset from the Ponte Vecchio. Pretty magical, huh? Like I mentioned last week, this is where we love to come at night and enjoy some wine or gelato. You just can't beat a view like this. We often see people out rowing in their sculls and it looks like a blast! Katherine and I are determined to find someone who will teach us and let us take theirs for a spin.

This week was incredible. I didn't even touch on the meals we had, but they have been phenomenal!!! Acqua Al Due, where we

enjoyed its famous blueberry and balsamic steaks and divine tagliatelle pasta, has only three locations in the world: Florence, Washington D.C., and San Diego. I highly recommend it. Until next time....

Archived Blogs

Blog 4 - Annie Liotta - World Cup Time in Brazil
Blog 3 - Allison Ross - Tsunami Drill
Blog 2 - Danielle Muri - Welcome to Florence
Blog 1 - Allison Ross - Machu Picchu

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'Cat Chronicles - Blog 5 - Danielle Muri

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'Cat Chronicles - Blog 5 - Danielle Muri

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