Today...

I just experienced quite possibly the scariest experience of my life...

Tonight was the first time I had the music club, and we went to a jazz club... Afterwards, my friends walked with me to a point, and then we split our separate ways to walk to our own homes. ALL of my friends live on the other side of the river which is about a 20-30 min. walk from where I live.

I had my keys in my hand with one between my fingers and I just started walking on a well lit main road, being aware of all of my surroundings. I saw a group of 6 guys who looked like they were all Albanian start to walk the other way. I kept walking and then realized that they had all turned around and started following me. I started walking faster and every time I started walking faster, they started walking faster. I started running, and then they started running. I found the nearest restaurant and went inside. I waited there for a little bit and then when I thought I was okay, I walked out, with keys in hand again. All of a sudden the same men started following me again. I called a friend and asked her to stay on the phone with me. I was so scared. Actually, beyond scared. I then saw a group of 5 police men standing next to 2 police cars so I went up to them and asked them for help. I asked them if one of them could walk me home because a group of men were following me. They asked me to look around to see if I saw the followers, but I didn't. My guess is that as soon as they saw me approach the police men, they bolted. Or hid. The police men barely spoke English so after finally getting across to them how scared I was, and practically in tears, they said that they would drive me home. So, I rode in the back of a police car. Thank goodness the police were there. I was so scared. Beyond scared. Petrified. I have now been home for about twenty minutes and I am still shaking. 

I have never been more upset about being a woman in my entire life. If I was a guy, this wouldn't have happened. Sure, I had my keys in my hand, but if 6 built men come after me, there is no way I could protect myself. 

I need to find a place that sells pepper spray. And I am never going to walk by myself at night again. 

On a different note, it rained today. Quite a bit....

And yesterday there was an earthquake here. I didn't feel it, but all of a sudden I saw on facebook a lot of people put their statuses saying something about it, so I looked it up. 

Oh man, I had a whole entry planned out, but after tonight's mishaps, it's hard to remember everything... And it's so hard because I would consider myself a very independent person. If something happened and I needed to walk home by myself in Bellingham, I would feel more than 100% safe. And even if I didn't, there are people who work for Western who we refer to as "green coats." You can call up the green coats whenever and someone will personally escort you back to your home. Even if the reason is only because you don't feel safe, or you don't want to walk by yourself. During the daytime, I feel very safe just walking around Florence by myself. It's hard to feel so vulnerable, almost helpless, and weak. 

On a different note..

I went to the Jewish area today. All 1 block of it. The synagogue was closed with gates and the only way I could get closer was to pay to go inside the fences and even then I wouldn't be able to go inside the actual synagogue... I'll probably go there for Rosh Hashanah Eve...

Okay that's all for now, I can't think straight right now. Must go to sleep.

Oh, and now there is a thunderstorm with lightening! God is seriously on my side right now. Even the weather has turned scary... And if the guys had caught up to me and done whatever they wanted, there is a big chance that the thunderstorm might've saved me by giving me the chance to escape. Oh my goodness, such an intense evening.

Ciao!