Apartment swap

I'm so excited that today we unofficially secured sublets for our apartment in Waltham and also an apartment in Florence. We will sublet our apartment to next year's vicar at First Lutheran Church, which is conveniently, literally, across the street. The vicar, Rachel, will be needing a place to stay for almost exactly the same time we will be gone. The only downside is that her stipend for rent will fall $100 short per month, but I'm sure we can work something out--it is already a HUGE relief to not have to move all our stuff into storage and also to have our wonderful apartment kept warm and waiting for our return.

Our current apartment:



For Florence, we were actually contacted by a current I Tatti fellow from MIT. He looked up Seth and offered advice as well as his furnished apartment. He raved about it and made it seem like it is this year's big hangout spot for the fellows. Apparently the landlady likes to rent to visiting American professors (she likes to practice her English) and so offers big discounts. The apartment is in a great location downtown (across from two essentials: the University and a huge market, San Ambrogio) and with two bedrooms and a loft it is even bigger than our relatively large apartment here in Waltham. We will be expecting lots of visitors!! :o)

The Italian apartment:


It is so fantastic having the biggest burdens taken care of--having our apartment and possessions in good hands while also having a reliable place to stay in Florence. I had already come to the conclusion that we would have to live in some nasty, dank studio for the year. Now only a few more hurdles to jump before we can leave...