Etch-A-Sketchy Free Day

So it rained today. I, Mason Kushnir, wasn't fully aware of the problem at first. I happened to have fallen asleep on the couch after a disappointing experience at the train station in which I failed in my attempt to catch the early train to Florence. Yeah, that's right. I woke up at six in the morning and walked a half mile across town only to miss my train. So I went back to sleep, quite obviously put off. I think Cody and Nathan may have been there too, but I honestly don't remember. I was tired.

There was a pretty big group that decided it would be a great idea to go to the lake, despite the fact that there was precipitation in the area. Apparently, it was pretty awesome there, and some people actually got to swim, but I also heard that the weather picked up pretty bad and they all had to skidaddle on home. By this time of course, it was late in the day, and I had actually woken up, and can tell you first-hand that there was an epic game of Risk going on. Nathan was totally dominating the board because Chris was such a failure and John didn't know what a Non-Aggression pact was for.

There were also some people that chose to go make pretty pictures with ink and plastic squares, but again, I can't tell you too much about that because I was asleep.

Okay Mason is off, Chris Akers on. Many people chose to go back to the print shop for the second time since we have been in Italy and ink up some more art. Word on the street is that Ross and Kevin finished with some amazing pieces. Later that night the print-shop runner (consequently a guy from Colorado) came to the center to sell some of his art. A few of us went ahead and made the investment in his finer prints from Castiglion Florentino.

The guys/girls that chose to go to the lake, which included our fearless student leaders, tell of their comical adventure. After walking 45 minutes to the lake, they got to swim for approximately 28 minutes before the downpour struck. On their walk back to the train station, a car drenched them all with water as it drove through a puddle along-side them. Everyone is still in good spirits, of course!

There was a flee-market setup out in the square near the center. A few of our members bought interesting items from there (Andrew, Kevin, Pmac, Mason, Nathan, among others), and were lucky to find trinkets ranging from an 1800's latin textbook to a gold-plated cigar lighter. A lucky occurrence, the market only assembles once a month.

Back at the center, there was indeed said Risk game that persisted for 3.5 hours, ending in a victory for Mason, but only because he filled in for an already winning Nathan. Much ping-pong was also played, and Nutella & Crackers were eaten. Word has it Mason also emerged victorious in a poker game, which he confesses must have been some sort of miracle. Dinner was great, I stuffed myself on the pasta, potatoes, and beef that was served. We then went and ate some gelado (mango is not such a good flavor here ): )

Mason is also begging me to give a shoutout to these people: Mom, Dad, Kyle, Sarah, and Helga. I would also like to shoutout to Mom, Dad, Mason's Dad, Heather, Andy, Nana, Nana, Papa, and Daniel!

This has been Mason and Chris A (in that order, so remember not to complain about Chris!), telling the US to stay classier!