On top of the World...

The process of getting a TEFL certificate is, put simply, information overload. From the different teaching techniques used for beginners (ranging from knowing absolutely nothing to conjugating the verb 'to be,') to the elementary level, who has a bigger range than any other group in my opinion; finally ending in intermediate ( who know more about English grammar than most of the TEFL students, let alone English speakers) to grammar intensive classes, it is a lot of work. But it is so satisfying! I've done more than I imagined possible in the last few weeks. I taught, successfully in most cases, three adult classes with four more to go, and feel ready for more. Next week we have to focus on grammar...which... will be interesting.
Its a little after noon, and my third Saturday in Florence. In some ways, I feel as though I've been wandering around the narrow streets, overrun by scooters, mini-cars and people either heading to the grocery store, to work, or taking a nice long passeggiata, for months. Have I really only been here for 16 days? I even have my 'regulars' if you can call them that. I'll miss the friendly buongiorno! from the barista at the bar across the street; the buona giornata from the maintenance man I pass every morning on the way to school; the buona sera from the local Pizzeria on my walk back home to study.
Sitting at the kitchen table, it's a short walk to the window where a huge rush of hot air reminds me what awaits when I step outside to head off to the train station. Being on the 5th floor, I get an interesting view of the city. If you look far enough away, you can see the Capella of the Duomo, the bell tower to its right, even the bell tower seen from Piazza della Signoria. Although the view of the city is quite unique from my apartment, the panorama stretching from the 'real florence,' to the old, and very touristy center, nothing beats the view from Piazzale Michelangelo! The amazing view of the city is not without its price. Walking up steep ramps to the top seemed daunting, especially after walking for a long time before hand, but it was worth it! The small town atmosphere is perfect, but if you take a left after reaching the top, after passing a replica of Michelangelo's David, you'll see why you risked all of your very limited energy and entire bottle of water: the most beautiful, pictoresque view imaginable.
After taking a ton of pictures, a few friends from the course and I found a seat along the steps facing the center of Florence, and watched, captivated, as the sun set along the Arno river and the hills that surround Florence. Slowly, the city was illuminated...starting with the Duomo and the Cathedral of Santa Croce, followed closely by Ponte Vecchio and gli Uffizi. The amazing night didn't end their, after trying to learn to speak Palanes, a dialect from a small town in Abruzzo, two men sat near by and began an impromptu concert. Granata, more pictures, and a few more words of Palanes later, we headed back home to get ready for today.
I'm heading back to Pistoia with some friends from the course for a Blues Festival, which I was told is more like a Raggae Festival. I update as soon as I can about this weekend!
Ciao ;)