Soulmates in Firenze!! (3/12-3/15)

SOOOOO this post concerns Sammie's (my best friend from home and roommate at school) visit to FIRENZEEE!!!

You can image how excited I was to see a face from home and to have someone come visit me in Italy! Things started off a bit rocky when I arrived at the airport a day early and very confused- due to time differences and a mis-communication, I hopped back in a cab on Wednesday, (3/11) pretty disappointed. So when she finally did arrive the next day, I was absolutely ecstatic! It was a short trip (thurs-sun) so we had no time to waste- and it's a good thing she slept the entire flight. We were also lucky for her trip because we got some absolutely beautiful weather.
Her first afternoon here we went out and explored some of the city and I showed her around some of the main spots. Later that night, we had our usualy Mexican night at my friends apartment and went out for a mini night out on the town.
The next morning we were up early and out again. I took her to see the open air market, and some other spots so that she could get some gifts for her parents. Then we headed up to piazzale michangelo- the beautiful look out point that over looks the entire city of Florence. She absolutely loved it and we of course snapped hundreds of photos. After that, we me up with Alex to do a little shopping for our evening out.
We took her and some other guests to our favorite traditional Italian restaurant just across the river called Dantes; I've mentioned it before. because this trip was a 21st birthday gift from Sammie's parents, we felt it necessary to celebrate her birthday that night. We got her a little cake at the restaurant and she really enjoyed the traditional pasta dishes and house Chianti.
We went to a local favorite discoteca to keep the birthday celebration going and needless to say she had a great "birthday" evening.
The next day we were up early to go to the beach in a small town known as Viareggio. It was about a 1.5 hour train ride and in an adorable little town. It was one of the first warm days that we had, and though not warm enough to be in full bathing suits and in the water- it was nice to l in the sand under the sun.
Later that evening we went out for a typical Italian aperativo at a chic restaurant called Kitsch- and it was delicious. One more last discoteca trip with some friends from school and we called it a night.
The next morning we got up early so she could get some souvineirs for her family members and it was interesting to see the city that early because I'm not usually up at that time. It was quiet and had a sense of calm after the night about it. I put her into a cab a few hours later, wishing I was getting in with her, and wish her a safe trip.
I am so glad to have had a friend from home come visit me- and the fact that she came all the way to Italy for a long weekend makes her one of the best friends I've had!