These Boots Are Made For Walking

I never realized how much I relied on my car until I moved to a place where I don't have one. I am now almost forced to walk everywhere, which has several benefits. Benefit 1 is obvious: much-needed exercise (see previous entry reference to the "Florence 20"). Benefit 2 is that you gain a greater appreciation for the city, its narrow, cobbled sidewalks (don't wear heels), amazing architecture (but look where you're going every now and then) and unique character. Benefit 3 is that you have the opportunity to mingle with the thousands of others that are doing the same thing you are, meandering through the streets of Florence.

Today I decided I wanted to do a little shopping. I live in an area of the city called Oltrarno (meaning "other side of the Arno") which is on the south side of the river. It is considered a more truly Florentine area in that a lot of locals live here and shop in these shops, more so than in the central and more touristy part of town. Within a short distance of my place is just about everything I'd truly need: grocery store, bank, gelato shops, wine shops. But to really do any clothes shopping (which was my mission of the day,) I need to venture across the Ponte Vecchio into the city center.

So I headed off in that direction on foot. As you get closer to the Ponte Vecchio and the center of town, the crowds start to thicken and slow down, and your progress is significantly impeded. You are soon surrounded by people clutching guidebooks and maps, with cameras around their necks, strolling slowly along gazing longingly at the pizzas and paninis in the windows of the snack bars. At that point, Benefit 1 (exercise) goes out the window so you are forced to take advantage of Benefit 3: mingling.

The people watching in Florence is second to none. I always thought Newbury Street, airports or the mall had good people watching but they've got nothing on Florence. Because this city is a mecca of tourism, the range of types, styles, ages, and hair colors is quite incredible. I needn't have worried that I would look out of fashion here, I have seen every possible outfit in the last week and a half. I have considered taking photos of some of the more interesting ensembles but decided that would be rude.

Instead I have gotten in the habit of checking people out to determine whether they are American. There are a lot of people who could pass for American and I feel quite confident that they are until I look at their shoes. Footwear seems to be the key determinant. There are some shoes that I can almost guarantee no American (particularly the men) would wear and as I walk by and hear the person speak, I am usually correct. I couldn't begin to tell you what nationality that person is, but they are definitely not from the US.

I have also found that being surrounded by foreign languages brings with it a sense of anonymity. People are having conversations all around you and you have no idea what's going on, their voices blend into a melody that is "languages not my own." I usually have no idea what language is being spoken: German, French, Spanish, Italian? They could be confessing to lying, cheating, stealing, or saying "look at that blond girl, she is so obviously American, check out her shoes" but I remain blissfully unaware.

My ears do perk up when Americans are nearby. As you might guess there were a few shopping with me in H&M (yes, I admit it, I shopped at H&M while in Florence,) mostly college students saying things like "ummmm, yeah...we have to get back for class but I need something to eat...like hurry up and buy that..."

It is in those moments that I love the fact that I can soon walk back over the bridge into my Florentine neighborhood and pretend I'm a local. Just for a little while.