Relieved...

Finally, I have internet on my own computer at the house where I am staying. It wasn't so much a matter of the family not wanting me to use it, but that I had to do all sorts of configuration with the internet service they bought. And since they pay based on how many hours they use it, I have to make sure to turn off the modem and if I use it a lot, I will pay them the 3 euros/hour that it costs. But honestly it's totally worth it... I will just keep good track. I can't sort of just stay online as much as I would at home, but at the very least I can go on at night, which is late afternoon in EST.

I suppose I didn't write yet that yesterday morning instead of staying at the school, the teacher took me and the 3 other students in class to an outdoor market in a park called "Le Cascine" which means "farms" more or less. The Medicis left the land to Florence on the condition that no buildings be built on it. There is also a pool there - you can swim in the Medici family swimming pool! We walked a lot - down the whole length of the market. I liked the food part best, go figure. At the booth with all the herbs one could smell the basil soooo strongly, it was incredible.

These past couple days, I literally walked across the Ponte Vecchio and right near Il Duomo on my way from school downtown for other activities (lunch, internet usage mainly). Today Lucia took me first to Gli Uffizi to get a card which allows me to go to the front of the line and get a free ticket. It's for Gli Uffizi and lots of other museums as well. Pretty cool. After we ate a quick lunch, she took me to a library in town where I got a card (for general services) and a subscription to the internet services there - one hour per day for free on their computers, and 3 hours per day on my own computer. After Lucia went back to her other job besides helping me out, I hung out there for a while and was on the internet. It was sort of spotty and slow at times... like other wireless connections I have encountered here. So far the connection here is strong. Actually here is the pattern - every connection for which I pay, is great, and every free connection, not so much. What are you going to do?

On Saturday I think I might wander around in town and take some pictures, despite the fact that I have already been by a few of the sites. I may also go to one of the smallish villages that is just outside of town - we'll have to see. And then hopefully after that I can get some pictures up on Facebook and Snapfish.

Alright, I think I will go for now. I am very excited I have this connection, but I also have a bit of homework to do before bed.