![The entrance to Palazzo Vecchio, which shows where Michelangelo’s David was originally located](http://www.saiprograms.com/wp-content/uploads/20131106_085102-225x300.jpg)
The entrance to Palazzo Vecchio, which shows where Michelangelo’s David was originally located
14 days . . . that is how many days I have left in this beautiful city. It amazes me how quickly time passes. I can still remember my first few hours in Florence and being totally taken aback by how beautiful it was. I still remember the taxi ride to the apartment and thanking God that we arrived in one piece after such a crazy ride. I remember my first couple of weeks in Florence and having such a hard time navigating my way around. Now I feel that I have a grasp on daily living in Florence; and I don’t need to have a map glued to the front of my eyes to figure out where I am going. I have even helped people with directions on the street. I think the best part of being asked directions is that they assume that you are Italian, which makes me feel like I have successfully blended in.
![Photo from the Florence Tattoo Convention](http://www.saiprograms.com/wp-content/uploads/20131109_165146-225x300.jpg)
Photo from the Florence Tattoo Convention
While I am so exciting to go home and be with my friends and family and share with them stories from my experience in Florence, I am really going to miss this city. I am going to miss the café down the street that has my order memorized. I mean how cool is it to have a café know your order! You cannot get service like that at Starbucks (no offense to Starbucks especially since I am really craving a Pumpkin Spice latte).
![Photo of Brunelleschi’s Dome buttress supports](http://www.saiprograms.com/wp-content/uploads/20131130_134837-225x300.jpg)
Photo of Brunelleschi’s Dome buttress supports
I am going to miss all the stationary and book stores. I am going to miss all the open markets that are open almost every day, back home markets are usually just one day a week. I am going to miss the Italians that I have met and made a connection with. I am going to miss the wine bars, not that I am a lush but it is so relaxing to go to a wine bar and talk with your friends about the day. I am definitely going to miss all the amazing collections of art throughout the city.
![View from the top of the Dome](http://www.saiprograms.com/wp-content/uploads/20131130_134954-225x300.jpg)
View from the top of the Dome
Right now Florence is decorating the city with Christmas lights and other holiday decorations and it is so pretty. I am pretty bummed out that I won’t be here for Christmas but I think my family would have a stroke if I missed Christmas at home. What I am not going to miss are the mosquitoes in November. I do not understand how they are still around; does the cold not bother them here? Also, not going to miss the line drying of clothes, I need a dryer!
![Sculpture in Florence](http://www.saiprograms.com/wp-content/uploads/20131106_085146-225x300.jpg)
Sculpture in Florence
My family has been asking me what I was going to do as soon as I got home and I actually have a running list of all the things I cannot wait to do when I get home. As soon as we leave the airport I am requesting to go get a true American breakfast. Yes, there are places in Florence to get an American style breakfast but it is just not the same. Then I am going to get a pedicure because all the walking has destroyed my feet. Then I desperately need a haircut. I want to go to Starbucks and get a Pumpkin Spice latte. So much more I want to do but I digress.
![View of Duomo from the Tower](http://www.saiprograms.com/wp-content/uploads/20131130_131940-225x300.jpg)
View of Duomo from the Tower
The city of Florence has been my home for roughly 3 months and it is going to be hard to say goodbye but I know I will be back sometime in the future with my family and friends so I can show them all the cool places I have been to in person. I will never forget my time in Florence and will keep all the memories I made here close to my heart.
![View from the top of the Dome down to the street and Tower](http://www.saiprograms.com/wp-content/uploads/20131130_135346-225x300.jpg)
View from the top of the Dome down to the street and Tower
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Alyssa is a student at Saint Xavier University studying at Florence University of the Arts during the Fall 2013 term.