Florence, Siena, Amsterdam, and my favorite city: Starbucks.

..yeah that's right. or at least it should be a city. Considering I started crying when I saw it in the Amsterdam airport (there are witnesses).  If you didn't know, Starbucks is nonexistent in Italia.  Therefore, I haven't had it in 5 weeks.  Needless to say I saw it from across the terminal, began tearing up, dragged my suitcase through crowds of people, and gladly paid about 8 dollars for a caramel macchiato. I would've paid 20. No questions asked.

2 weekends ago I had the pleasure of visiting Florence and Siena.  The main thing you need to know about Florence is that it has great pancakes and great leather.  Okay, and some pretty great art, too.  Hi, Michelangelo's "David". Yeah, he's just as great in person.  Did I mention I got a picture of his butt? I did. Which is pretty impressive considering photography was prohibited... Pssshhh rules shmules. 

Here's a warning to everyone afraid of heights: DON'T, I repeat DON'T climb to the top of il duomo.. or ANY massive dome-shaped cathedral.  Or ANY tall structure in that case.  Because it IS high up there and you WILL be afraid.  My roommate, Brittany, did not take this warning into consideration.  Enough said.  However, if you don't mind heights, I definitely suggest it. I also suggest visiting Katie Warmuth and Mckitterick while you're there because they are A-mazing. shout out!

Siena is also beautiful but much smaller.  Within 3 hours we managed to see il duomo, il centro, eat pasta carbonara, walk the streets, witness pre-soccer match chaos, and see the head of St. Catherine. Yes, her actual head. Preserved. And thumb in fact. No i won't go into detail because it makes me queezy, so just google it. ...with caution.

In all seriousness, the inside of il duomo in Siena is one of the most beautiful things I've ever seen.  You can also google that, but it won't do it justice.

Onto the next weekend, these past few days I've been in good ol' Amsterdam! Hmm... how to sum this one up... you've got the red light district in one corner, Anne Frank's house in another corner, the Heineken Museum in another corner, Van gogh in yet another corner, and "coffeeshops" on EVERY corner. I never knew they could all coexist! (For the record, mom and dad, they aren't real coffeeshops. I mean, I'm sure there is coffee there somewhere, but.. yeah.. I'm just gonna stop...don't look it up.) 

Let's see if we can sum up these two weekends in a few bullets:

1: The David has buns of steel. (actually marble. HA! get it? okay no more jokes.)

2: There are 463 steps to the top of Il Duomo in Firenze. Bring water. And a sweatband.

3: Go see il duomo in Siena ...and consider passing on St. Catherine's head.

3: Be "open minded" in Amsterdam, but not open minded enough to actually use the public urinals. 

4: Don't, and i mean DON'T, take for granted Starbucks. I miss it. And you.

I'm off to watch Harry Potter! ...because that's not random.

CIAO!