BLOGYSSEY: Florence for a Day

Florence. Where to start with this one! Despite having been to both Lucca

and Siena, both of which are undeniably beautiful in their own way, Florence has become my favourite Italian city so far. It was in Florence that I first arrived and met the people I will call family for the next 6 months. That afternoon they had taken me for a brief walk through the city with a quick stop to have my first ice-cream (sorry, gelato!) in Italy. Having just had a 9 hour train journey, I was feeling pretty tired and it was all I could do to keep my eyes open and not trip over my own feet.

The next week I decided that going to Florence for a full day to explore the city properly was a MUST. After arriving I again as in Lucca collected a map from the tourist information centre, and again it was more as a keepsake for my diary than for practical use. Maps truly are incompatible with my brain (thank goodness for GPS!)

The Symbol of Florence

Not long after arriving, I had a little proud moment when I ordered a coffee without a word of English.

“Buongiorno! Un caffè espresso, per favore!” followed by, “Grazie!”

Not exactly tertiary level stuff but I couldn’t help smiling to myself all the same! As a new comer to Italy, or rather to drinking espresso coffees I did opt for sugar with it as it is currently the only way I can drink the stuff, nice as it truly is. However, as I sat there writing in my diary over my mini coffee I promised myself that before I left Italy I would be a no sugar espresso drinker!

Once the coffee had taken full effect I headed off (map in bag - naturally) down the middle of three street options ahead of me. Before too long I reached a large collection of street stalls. From a distance it looked like an explosion of colour, material and leather but as I got closer I began to see each individual store. At first I just kept thinking, there is so much leather! And there really was. The stores followed a pattern along the lines of scarfs, leather bags, masks, leather bags and belts, jewellery, leather bags, scarfs, leather jackets. You get the idea! I have always LOVED the smell of leather, and after ordering myself a leather pencil case online last year I would often smell it whenever I pulled it out in class. And now the warm, sweet, rich, elegant smell engulfed me. I closed my eyes and just breathed it in. Passing past each stall I stopped to feel the soft, smooth bags and the firm, textured belts. Each stall seemed to have more beautifully crafted items than the one before. Finally, dragging myself away from the colour, noise and smell of the market I promised myself I would return and buy myself a handbag, even if it meant that I would not be able to afford to get myself anything else for some time!

The Colourful Market

Beautiful Leather Belts Display

Scarf of Every Colour

Amazing Masks

Because I had decided to spend a full day in Florence and had not had the forethought to pack myself a lunch when it hit noon and my tummy began its periodic rumbling request for food, I had the task of choosing myself a restaurant. It could not be too expensive, and needed to be relatively healthy but still delicious. My decision was finally made as I walked past one of many similar looking square-side restaurants and noticed a group of women all eating vibrant looking bruschetta. I could almost smell the tomatoes and basil, and hearing the crunch of the bread as a bite was taken, I was sold. Sitting down at an empty table I checked the price on the menu (thankfully it was affordable!) and ordered my own bruschetta with some sparkling water. Without too much of a wait it arrived before me, even more colourful than I had expected and smelling twice as good. I took my first bite and an explosion of amazingness filled my mouth. It was prefect! The sweetness, coolness and freshness of the tomatoes with the subtle but undeniably present hints of basil and pepper that seemed to take turns presenting themselves on my taste buds. The bread was just as incredible with the crust hard and crunchy, toasted to perfection, and the middle soggy and soft from the juice of the tomatoes the flavour of which could just be made out in the bread itself. I have never had such an amazing bruschetta in my life, and if that is the standard here in Italy, I know I will be eating much more of it!

The Best Bruschetta

After lunch I found my way to Piazza della Signoria for the third time that day! It is the home of the Palazzo Vecchio, the Town Hall of Florence which also happens to feature in Dan Brown’s book, Inferno (not that I have actually read it yet, though living here makes me feel obliged to! Kindle store here I come!). While there are many beautiful squares throughout Florence including Piazza di Santa Crocethe, Piazza Santa Trinita and Piazza del Duomo home to the Basilica do Santa Maria del Fiore (Florence Cathedral), I kept finding myself being drawn back to this one in particular. Maybe it was the impressive Palazzo Vecchio itself which towers over and dominates the square and which I ended up sketching in my diary on a whim. Or perhaps the large statute of Neptune in the centre of his fountain. Carved to such detail that you could expect him to move at any moment and who seems to watch over the square, regal and strong. Whatever the reason there was and is something about that square that kept me returning to it and no doubt will continue throughout my time here.