Once you are in the historic part of town, it is very easy to reach all the famous monuments on foot. We walked around the Ponte Vecchio a lot and sat down with a glass of wine to observe both the tourists and locals. Shopping was fun, but also difficult. I'm not the type to buy cheap souvenirs so I was trying to keep my eyes open for some unique gifts. One thing I will spend time looking at is the local art! There are many artists in Florence that are trying to sell their pieces. Robin and I were careful to find artists that were selling their original artwork, not prints, and we both were able to find some great pieces. We also found the most AMAZING little antique store that seemed to specialize in old books, music scores, paintings, pictures, maps and other small novelty items. Unfortunately, it was closed but we will definitely be returning!
During the day on Saturday, we hopped on and off the bus to see the city and were able to get to the famous hilltown of Fiesole where the views are stunning.
My host family told me that I had to try some of the famous Fiorentina steak. So, complete with a nice bottle of Chianti, we were able to finish the most delicious steak I have ever had! Just so you know, Fiorentina is famous not only because of the cows it comes from but because it is so large! It took a lot of willpower (and wine) to help us finish ours, but it was worth it!
I was able to meet up with a friend from Tucson and experience Florence by night! The city is full students, vendors, teenagers, and tourists, and sitting in a pub or going dancing is a great way to see the nightlife.
But the best thing that I did in Florence was spend hours wandering around alone without a map. With some delicious gelato for company and without having a fixed destination, I allowed myself to observe and explore the people and sights of Firenze.
I was walking down a cobblestoned street when I heard the sounds of a piano and a violin playing beautiful music. I followed the sounds and came up to a small, beautiful wine shop. Inside the shop were two young men practicing for a concert. They let me sit and listen for awhile and then invited me to their performance the next day. The concert was ... perfect. Listening to the compositions of Schubert, Beethoven, Bach, while sipping wine and interacting with Florentine artists was, to me, the definition of participating in true Florentine culture. The city has been a haven for musicians and artists for centuries and here I was in a tiny little wine shop experiencing something beautiful. Afterwards, the violinist, Davide, invited me and Robin to eat with them at their friend's restaurant and we had the most delicious pasta! This experience of music, food, wine, and Italian conversation with local Florentine's was probably my favorite experience of the weekend.
As I continued to wander, I stumbled upon an old church called the Santa Margherita de' Cerchi. It took me a minute to realize that it was in this specific church that Dante Alighieri first saw his beloved Beatrice, muse for his La Vita Nuova. I was a bit awestruck just standing in this old church when I realized that Beatrice, as well as Dante's wife Gemma, were both buried in the church as well. To be standing in the very place where such inspiration hit Dante gave me chills!
As I continued to walk, I heard the sound of trumpets coming from one of the side streets and hurried towards it. In the street was a large 10-piece band consisting of drums, trumpets, trombones, and saxophones. The music and energy was amazing and in that moment I felt how incredibly lucky I was be able to witness it.
I also went to the Palazza Vecchio museum, which is housed in the old Medici palace. The interior was beautiful! I can't imagine how it would be to live in a place surrounded my such works of art. I would've been afraid to touch the walls. I had an interesting experience while in the Palazzo. As I was leaving, I saw that a door leading to another part of the palace was open, so, naturally, I went through. I walked up the stairs and stepped into one of the rooms. But curiously, the lights were off and no one was there. Here I was surrounded by invaluable works of art and furniture and I was completely alone. So I tiptoed through the rooms, a bit nervous, when I saw a sign pointing to the old wedding chamber. On the door of the wedding chamber was a notice that the room was not to be entered, yet, the door itself was open! I'm not gonna lie, I was kinda weirded out. How could it be that I was able to enter this old, precious palace, walk through rooms that are normally filled with people and guards, and find the door to a no-access area opened? I remember having the distinct impression that someone was watching me. So, of course, I poked my head into the room. I couldn't see a lot (it was night by this time) but I could just make out some paintings on the wall due to the light coming from the window in the back. I really wanted to go inside, but at this time, I was pretty creeped out and my desires to respect art and conservationism and also to not get murdered by some vengeful Medici ghost ruled over my curiosity and I left. Still, a very weird experience...
So that was Firenze and I am happy to say that I have already made plans to return in 2 weeks. We'll see what adventures I have then!
