Evan's post 2-13-11

Ciao ragazzi! This is Evan as you can probably tell from my first two words. Some updates from Florence: We  have a week left of school before ski break! We went to Lucca the other day. Lucca is a small city about an hour from Florence surrounded by humongous dirt walls and inside there are a bunch of houses. I thought it would be really boring but then we went in the square and saw some super cool stores. In one of the buildings they had underground Roman baths that were 2000 years old. On one of the stone walls, there were a bunch of carvings of people doing stuff that was supposed to tell the story of what they did each month, like pig sticking ( they impale a pig with a stick and made bacon), olive harvesting, wine making. One of the guys had his head cut off, which was pretty weird ;). There were also some pretty awesome stores. One of the stores had Katanas, chain mail, magazines, and crossbows, which was pretty sweet. Unfortunately, I did not have any money, but my kind brother Ryan lent me 10 euros and I bought an airsoft gun with a laser pointer. During the chocolate festival, I shine my laser out the window in front of people and they look up surprised and jump up. I find this very funny. Also we have had some bus problems the past few weeks. A few days ago I went on the bus with my friend without the ticket and I told him we should get off because there was a guy that looked like he was one of the guys that checked for tickets. We didn't get off, but sure enough he came and gave us a ticket, a fine of 50 euros (ouch). Things are going more smoothly, and I think I have adjusted fully. Ciao!

Ryan and I in front of gate to Lucca

San Michele Church in Lucca

Underground Roman baths (under Baptistery in Lucca)

A square in Lucca

Some of the 12 seasons on the front of Duomo in Lucca

Me running toward Lucca's walls. The walls are about 30 feet high and 100 feet wide and you can walk or bike on them.    Where I am there used to be a 100 foot wide moat.