Let Me Count The Ways...

The days of my Italian adventure are dwindling quickly. It's very hard to believe. At the beginning it seemed like such a long time and now... well now it seems too short.

It seems like a good time to reflect on some of the little things about Florence (and Italy) that make it so unique and endearing, so here goes:

...that you hear the neighborhood ladies exclaiming "Mama mia!!" as you are out and about

...that the only salad dressing is olive oil and balsamic vinegar, there is no need for anything else

...that each shop has a distinct specialty, even those that aren't food: hand-made papers, socks, dress shirts, even one with only men's swimming trunks

...that you can buy really good red wine for under $10

...that bars offer the nightly aperitivo (mentioned in a previous entry): lots of free food in exchange for buying at least one (albeit usually somewhat overpriced) drink

...that the tallest building in the city skyline is same as it was in 1436

...that riding around the city on a scooter or a bike is considered completely cool, and it's also really fun

...that on those bikes you're as likely to see:
– a 75-year old woman wearing a kerchief around her head,
– a 16-year old punky-looking guy in the prerequisite skinny jeans,
– a 30-year old woman in heels with a Gucci bag in her basket,
– a monk or nun in full robes, or
– a middle-aged professor in a sport coat with a briefcase

...that when you ask someone how far something is, the answer is always 10 minutes no matter the actual distance or accuracy of the statement

...that guys selling little trinkety crap can (and do) enter any restaurant, even very high-end ones, and place their offerings on your table while you're eating to try to get you to buy something

...that stores close for some period of time in the middle of the day, every day, and you just learn to work around it

I'm sure there are many other little things that will occur to me when I get home, perhaps I will post again to expand on this list.


There are, as you know, two sides to every place and this one is no exception. So I also have a list of things that are just a bit less endearing that I will not miss so much when I head home:

...that mosquitoes persist even though it is November, I have 2 bites on my face to prove it

...that people smoke like crazy here; even though it is no longer allowed public buildings it can still be hazardous to one's health – beware of drifting ashes and flying butts

...that there is seemingly no pooper scooper law, or if there is it is uniformly ignored – watch your step

But that's it, it's a very short list and I had to think pretty hard to come up with those.

Of course this place also is missing one critical thing for which I am truly happy to go home: my family and most of my friends. I hope you are all having a wonderful Thanksgiving and I look forward to seeing you very soon.

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