In October I started my second half of the first semester of classes. Here is when I began to find my routine. It rained the most during this month and I found myself exploring and looking for those hidden gems. During October I took advantage of FUA’s facilities, such as their spa and their dinner restaurant Ganzo. Both were great and much needed for this month, as the temperature had also began to drop. My friend Zoya and I made this restaurant named Zaza our weekly meeting point. The prices were fair here and the pasta was the best. Zoya ordered the Bocalona style spaghetti every time, she said it reminded her of a dish that her grandmother would make. I ended up hopping around the menu every time but my favorite dish there was the wild boar sauce pappardelle. These weekly dinners were much needed and necessary.

During this month I met a man who worked in the leather shop near FUA. He was originally from Lebanon but moved to Italy in the 80s to start a business. This man was very kind and later I found out that he had helped Zoya find FUA on the first day of class. We waited for the bus together and he told me about his family in Lebanon. He was going to visit them after this month and stay for six months since tourism season was slowing down. I wish him the best and I hope his family is healthy and safe.

During this time I was struggling in my photography of strangers, because I could not speak the language and I very much value permission before snapping a photo. But I was taking pictures down a street of a restaurant, and the waiter invited me to take pictures of him, the staff and the chef. He then offered me a glass of wine on the house. I felt very at home that day at Trattoria del Chianti.

To wrap up October, I found out that Halloween was also celebrated in Italy. I had went out to eat and saw many kids dressed up for the holiday. Instead of knocking on doors (because the architecture is different) they go into business and ask for candy. They ask, “Dolcetto o scherzetto.”

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Learn more about this blogger’s study abroad program: Florence University of the Arts