Lauren's Adventures Studying Abroad in Italy: insert clever title here

I made it through Yom Kippur in Italy!! Last night I went to Ne'ilah for closing prayers and when that shofar blew, I definitely got chills up and down my body. The echoing was incredible. It was such a spiritual experience listening to the echos. Truly amazing. Afterwards, I walked outside to see if Chabad was going to do anything for break the fast, and they weren't... and since I didn't want to break the fast alone, I decided to look around to see if there were any people who looked about my age. I saw two girls standing around so I went up to them and asked them if they were studying in florence. They said they were and we started talking and then the three of us went out to break the fast. ITALIAN STYLE. 4 cheese gnocchi? AMAZING. A huge bottle of water? Refreshing. Meeting new friends? Wonderful. After dinner we went to the best gelateria in allllll of florence... so good. I wish I could break the fast EVERY year with gnocchi and gelato! At the gelateria, I started looking around and I saw a girl wearing a WWU shirt on... so of course I went up to her to ask her if she goes to western, because who knows, she could've had a family member or a friend who got her the shirt, but she said that she does go to Western! Talking to her made me realize how much I really do love Western. I mean, I love it here in florence, how could you not, but I really do love my school back at home. Everyone is so friendly and warm and it's just wonderful. It's a great feeling to be able to look back on a decision you made and confirm that it was a great one.

Today was so beautiful so I took the super duper long way home... and took a lot of pictures. I always get the strangest looks from people when I am sitting or standing in one place taking a ton of pictures... but I don't care. I don't care what people think. I'm an artist. and that, is that.