Submitted by John Cusatis on the 2024 Winter HONR/PHIL program in Italy…
This week my group arrived in Florence. At first, I didn’t know what to think of it, the busy streets of Rome with its convenient transportation held a special place in my heart. I soon came to realize the openness of Florence was one of its strengths, it was a very walkable city. While it was more spacious, it was packed with things to do like its captivating museums and unique shops on every corner. I had a multitude of great experiences, I became closer friends with Chase and Frances, I created my own wallet out of leather, and I was fortunate enough to see the original statue of David in person.
The food was also particularly memorable, wild boar is one of Florences most well known dishes, and I’m glad I tried it. There was also a heart shaped pizza which was my favorite pizza I’ve ever had. The History of Florence was rich, some churches housed the bodies of Michelangelo and Galileo who played a role in science and religion. However, Galileo didn’t get the statue of philosophy on his grave since his stances of heliocentrism were unpopular at the time. It was a cool feeling walking through these churches getting a taste of what they practiced at the time along with seeing great historical figures resting places. I like to challenge myself each week to try something new, I’ve tried exotic foods, spoke in different languages, and I hope to keep improving each week of this trip. I’m grateful for everyone here and I’m excited for what’s in store.