MOVING TO ITALY

Ciao! In this post I wanted to share my travel experience with a student visa. I want to start by saying trying to get a student visa during Covid may have been one of the most exhausting and craziest experiences. Once the Italian Consulate in Los Angeles opened back up, it was petal to the metal trying to get everything together. The website has a list of 14 things you need to bring to your appointment, I've attached the check list link for the same visa I have to live in Italy for 1 academic year. Once everything was booked...the packing began. I packed what felt like an eternity but was really three days. Packing for four months in Mediterranean weather and a 14 day self-quarantine was harder than I expected. I know I over packed, which is so unlike me but most things were because I needed extra things for quarantine. I will have another post later discussing my quarantine experience, as well as my apartment!!!

TRAVELING INTERNATIONALLY DURING COVID

My travel day started on Tuesday morning, and just when I thought I had everything together..nothing went as planned! It seems that no matter how hard you try to make traveling as easy as possible, something always arises. For me, I had a hectic morning because I forgot to weigh my bags BEFORE my travel day. Let me tell you, don't do it at the last minute because you're going to end up repacking your whole suitcase. ( and forget to bring your favorite sweater..sad) Once I arrived at LAX, I said goodbye to my family and stepped into my future. During Covid, flying international is pretty nonexistent, literally there was no one in the airport and all the shops and restaurants inside were closed. (it really felt like a deserted airport zombie scene lol) I flew Air France through DELTA and departed in the afternoon. My plane felt about 40% full and most people on my flight were returning to Europe.

Everyone on the plane had their own row and I had four seats to myself :)

First thing I did was SANITIZE! My plane felt super clean and safe, but I came super prepared in that department haha. I watched The Great Gatsby, 3 episodes of Friends, an episode of Botched, and eventually passed out. My flight was about 10 hours, but because of the time difference everything was a blurrr. I landed in Paris around 2 am Pacific Time and wow is that airport confusing. Luckily I made friends with some fellow Americans and figured out how to change terminals with all the signs being in french. The airport was HOT and PACTED with people. I was shocked to see that everything was open, it felt pre-Covid and it so weird. After an hour I board my flight to Florence and I was the only American on the flight, and most if not all people spoke French. (no bueno para mi)

SPEECHLESS. absolutely speechless. Flying over Tuscany was one of the most amazing views!! Miles of vineyards, cypress trees, and gorgeous villas. I took a deep breathe and prayed I'd live my 'Under the Tuscan Sun' dream.. and that my bags made my flight lol. After I landed, my bags were the first to come of the luggage carousel. Then I went through customs and hopped into a taxi. My driver dropped me off in front of my apartment in the Santa Maria Novella area. 10 minute drive from the airport and 10 minute walk to the train station and famous Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore or as most know it the Duomo.

Once I arrived at my apartment, my 14 day self-quarantine began. By this point it was 5 am Pacific Time and I was emotionally, mentally, and physically drained... and extremely hungry and thirsty. Not being able to leave my apartment for food and water was something I'm sure most wouldn't have thought about. After several failed attempts to order food, as a last resort I called my school. In Italy it was almost 7 pm and I was so thankful my school was still open. My school director personally brought me pizza and water, which saved my life! (not to be dramatic or anything ;) It was in that moment, I realized I chose the right school and it was all going to work out. There was something so caring and kind about this guester, that I had never felt at any other school I have attended. I ate my pizza, showered, then off to bed!!!

Stay tuned for my apartment post!

Much love,

Gabriella

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