I'm sitting here in a beautiful apartment in Florence, Italy eating a panino from the Oil Shoppe, one of those most famous panini places in Italy. I can't believe I'm back roaming the streets, taking in the scenery, and breathing in the Tuscan air. It's a total mind trip being here in these familiar streets, seeing familiar faces of shop owners and taxi drivers, yet I can't go into my old apartment and see all 14 of the best roommates I've ever had. It's bizarre.

My first night here after a long flight from Boston via Zurich, Switzerland, we (my two friends studying abroad here and myself) went to dinner at a pizzeria called Yellow. The pizza is inexpensive and absolutely delicious. I wanted to see some familiar faces so we dropped by Astor Cafe behind the Duomo to say hello to all my favorite Albanian bartenders. We then headed across the Arno to Friends, a cozy little pub I used to go to every week for aperitivo (a heavy snack that numerous places serve before dinner, usually free with a glass of wine). I was surprised I had the energy after such a long and exhausting day, but we went to a disco called Twice in the Santa Croce area. I couldn't believe how many people I ran into that I knew or at least recognized. We had a blast to say the least - it was a perfect way to start my week in one of the greatest places on earth.

Yesterday I did a little shopping at the market. You should see this place - the streets are lined with carts filled with pashminas, leather goods, and Fiorentina apparel. Haggling with the vendors is one of my favorite things to do, minus the part where some of the men yell "Ciao bella, marry me!" and "Oooh baby!" as you walk by. I don't miss that part.

Tomorrow I'm going to Piazza de Repubblica where I used to go to school to visit my Food & Wine professor. She's taking me out to lunch to a real, authentic Italian restaurant where you eat what they serve - no menu! I can't wait. Tonight I'm going to see Pitbull (the rapper) at a club called Space Electronica. Should be a good time!