T - 2 days

Well, tomorrow is the day I leave for Italy!! I will be flying out of Minneapolis at 3:10 pm (if the flight is on time) and will be arriving in Amsterdam at around 7 am before proceeding on to Florence. I should be in Florence around noon. At which point you won't be hearing anything from me for a few hours at least, or until I get settled into my home.

Minneapolis, oh, how I have missed thee. My group flight leaves from Minneapolis, so yesterday I had to take a train from Milwaukee which went smoothly and was very comfortable. I'd taken the train a couple times before by myself, so that was okay. However, in the craziness of leaving for the train station I didn't get all of my food packed for the train ride, so I needed some dinner during the trip. During my previous train trips I was too afraid to venture to another car, so I had never been to the dining car or lounge car. After over hearing another passenger talking to one of the attendants I learned that the lounge car was 2 cars in front of mine. I sat in my seat for about 20 minutes trying to muster up the courage to head up there and find something to eat. Luckily for my stomach I had a self motivating thought: "I'm going to be in Italy in approximately 36 hours. No time to be scared. At least here you speak the native language. How hard could it be!!" So off I ventured to the lounge car, which was pretty sweet!! After mulling over the choices for a few minutes I settled on the Italian Club sandwich. (Because you can never go wrong with Italian!!) A few hours later I arrived in Minneapolis and had my next small adventure. A taxi ride to the apartment. I had never taken a taxi before so that had me a bit worried, but I walked up towards a car and the driver hopped right out and put my bags in back. It was only a 5 minute ride so it wasn't that bad; sort of like a little test run. Once I got to the apartment (the one I lived in last semester) I called up my roommate who's letting me crash with her for 2 nights. It's strange to be back in my apartment and to not be staying for the semester. Not to mention that it looks so different with out all of our stuff. I had a relaxing day here, took a walk to Five Guys to get one last good American hamburger. Unfortunately, I had yet to break in my new shoes, so I now currently have some nice blisters on my heels. Hopefully mending them today and after all that sitting for the next day on a plane will help them heal by Thursday.

Well I better end there for now. I have to try and repack up my suitcase and get everything ready for the morning. Which is harder said than done. I don't think I will sleep a lot tonight, but that may help me sleep more on the plane and adjust to the time difference a little bit better.

Hoping for an easy check in (no luggage weight issues) and a safe flight!!! I will try to post an update to let everyone know I arrived safely as soon as I can!