So this morning I was able to sleep in which was fantastic! I then headed to Marino’s for my favorite pastry and a bottle of coke. Then caught a taxi to meet up with my Mom at her hotel. We then went on a search for another suitcase to carry all of the other items that we’ve purchased for family and friends. After exploring the little shops and boutiques we headed to the Instituto Gould… but not before getting some GELATO! I mean hey… it’s the last day! On our way back, we stopped at a little shoe store with the cutest shoes. I bought a pair of lace up dress shoes and knee high boots! I’ve always wanted a pair of those, and they fit perfectly! We finally arrived back at the Gould and met up with Kelsey who had just gotten back from a day trip to Pisa. Kelsey and I started getting ready for the dinner planned for our last night.
After a long walk up hill in a skirt and wedges, we finally arrived at our dinner location. The dinner tonight was at one of the highest points of Florence, overlooking the city. It was directly behind the Boboli Gardens in this beautiful Tuscan Villa. We were served SO MUCH food. It was all you can eat, and we definitely ate it ALL. It was nice being with everyone on the last night. The house belonged to a woman who lived through World War II. She rents out the upper floors to our hosts, author, Sally Fernandez and her husband. We also met world renowned South African conductor, Deborah Chevrino, a good friend of our hosts and also one of their neighbors. She won the Gold Medal at the First International Conducting Competition in Florence, Italy. She became the first woman to win first price in an Italian conducting competition. She was also a Fulbright scholar and knows five languages, including Swahili! Needless to say, we were completely awestruck with her.
After Deborah finished speaking with us, the Halperns asked if I would sing for her and the class. I was freaking out!!! I ended up singing one of the Italian Arias I’ve been working on with Brenda called O Mio Babbino Caro. This is a pretty famous Aria… often sung by pageant girls :P haha. After I sang, Deborah came up to me and said she would love for us to keep in touch and she even said that I had a great tone quality for Opera. If it was possible for me to turn beet red, that would have been the moment when it happened! After chatting with Deborah, the Halperns, and the Hammonds (and taking pictures with all of them) it was time to go back to the Gould and finish packing. We HAD to stop on the way back and get Gelato one last time! I got my favorite flavor, Pompelmo Rosa. It was amazing as usual. I took my time eating it and completely savored it!
My last night in Florence was completely incredible! I will cherish the time I’ve spent here. I truly have learned so much about myself and even more about Dante, Machiavelli, and the Medici Family! :P
Tomorrow we leave for Savona. I am so excited to go on my first cruise!!
Ciao!
Court
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