Cortona

My favorite place in Italy, and definitely top ten in the world is Cortona, Italy. I studied art for a semister here back in 2003 in the walled Etruscan town. I learned to love tomatoes, spicy food and fish here. I got to carve a piece of marble from the same quarrey Michelangelo got his pieces from. I studied and viewed alot of beautiful Italian art. I ate pasta, and more pasta. I learned how kind and family-orientated Italians are. I made some of my best friends... Robino!

Taking Rainer to this place that holds a special place in my heart was such a blessing! And he loved it too! We spent the day at the weekend market, hiking the hill to the where I lived, taking the shortcut to the school, enjoing our balcony in the upgraded room we were given, and eatting at my favorite restaurant. It was so great! Rainer wanted to skip Rome and stay here for another 3 days.

On the wall overlooking the Tuscan valley below

The main square

Eatting the same lunch I did everyday when I lived here

Outside the school. Yes, the program was through UGA, but no I wasn't a Georgia bulldog fan ever.

The view from the sweet apartment they gave us of Theatre Signorelli (which has scenes in both "Life is Beautiful" and "Under the Tuscan Sun"- which is about Cortona)

Inside the Theatre

At Toninos, the restaurant we ate at every night during our study abroad program

Eatting my FAVORITE gnochi fumo!