endorphins.

Before I get into my running story.... Philosophy is awesome, competing for first place of best class Ive ever taken.. Every day we have been talking about topics that are in either Homo Faber (the book we just read- awesome book) and our class book. Subjects like friendship, abortion, politics, relationships, etc. We finished the subjects on Wednesday. At the end of class she said, "You will pick the subjects for the rest of the semester." Anything we wonder about, question about, or just want to talk about. She is amazing. We came in today and someone said "Prostitution; I just got back from Amsterdam and want to talk about it." We spent the entire class talking about Prostitution, sex education, the youth of today, we got into every possible facet. Its great getting to hear everyones opinions, give our own, and have constructive conversations. And she always chirps in with information, stories, everything. She speaks five languages, grew up in a communist country, and has lived in Italy for the past 20 years, she has a lot of knowledge to share. At the end of class she said, what do you want to talk about next? We threw out subjects, and she said "How about we discuss and walk? Its been so beautiful out." We all got so excited. That is EXACTLY what we wanted to do. Cant wait for class on Tuesday.
Anyway...
Ive run every day this week. Thank goodness. I needed it. With all the eating, drinking, etc, running feels great. Today by far wins best run.
I got out of Russo's class at 11:40. I got home by 11:45 and set out. I ran down to the Arno and along it for a few blocks. The next part wasn't too fun because of the OBSCENE amount of tourists; past the Uffici, Piazza Signoria and the Duomo. Then I went down Via Cavour and asked a police man the time (in Italian). It was only 12:25. Not enough time to go back and shower, so I figured I'd run all the way till lunch started. So I passed through Piazza San Marco, down the street to Piazza Santissima Annunciata. I passed that and went down farther to a park I've passed through before. There were four little boys playing soccer. I stopped and watched for a while, then gained the confidence to walk up and ask to play. "Posso giocare?" - may I play? The boys were very welcoming and I joined for a bit. It was a blast. I was on the team of the two that looked no older than 5 years old, against the other two, who had to be at least 10. (obviously unfair for the two little ones). Time was running so I had to leave them, I thanked them for the fun time, and one of the little boys hugged me good bye. My heart melted.
I continued running, saw people who were obviously lost and asked them if they needed help. They were from Calgary. I asked for the time, 12:45...still doing great. They asked how to get to the David..they were way off from the correct direction. I explained to them how to get there, using street names and land marks, etc. They were so sweet. They were so excited and asked what I was doing here and why I knew my way around, etc. They were spending their Spring Break in Florence. We said goodbye and went out ways, I kept running. I ran to Piazza Liberta and stopped to sit on a bench. There is a beautiful fountain in the middle flanked on either side by two huge, beautiful arches. I literally live 30 steps away from this piazza, and have never really seen it. It was great to finally sit and enjoy the beauty of it. I picked some little daisy flowers and finished the run by going the very round about way back to my pensione. I walked in at 1:03, just in time, the first course was being set out as I walked in.
The run was needed. Cleared my head. Enjoyed the beautiful weather in my beautiful city. Put me in a sensational mood, and of course, got my heart rate goin.
We had veggies and pizza for lunch, and fresh strawberries for desert...They have given us strawberries the past 3 days, each time with whipped cream :) the best.
I just finished packing, now just hanging out with Jackie in the room before I head off to Munich for the weekend.
Living la dolce vita.
ciao.