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    Where The World Meets™
 
 
 
Courting Firenze an italian love affair
 
Wintertime in Florence provided me with a completely different experience from that of images of idyllic picturesque Tuscan cities that I’d dreamed about. These were the very images that I carried along with my luggage as I departed on a four month sojourn in the remarkable city, with absolutely no clue of what lay ahead. Visions of steamy Italian lads and incredible shoes at phenomenal prices filled my head as the plane landed. However ‘living’ versus ‘vacationing’ are quite the opposite of endeavors -- that’s how I came to learn that Florence is no Disneyland. Upon arrival, I was briefed by an English speaking Policeman to beware of gypsies. I’d had my share of homeless beggars, but never before had I been instructed on how to circumvent the pawing hands of gypsy children. Not sounding too picturesque at the moment, is it? At one point of my stay, a gypsy woman took off with the baby of an American tourist. Other unsettling instructions were to watch out for motorist purse snatchers passing through narrow corridors and alleyways. I was extremely fearful for the first few days every time I stepped out onto the cobblestone. As I settled into an apartment outside of the city center, I traveled to and from the city’s madness with ease. The first historical landmark that I visited was Firenze’s famous Duomo. Like the monks, I too climbed four-hundred and sixty-three steps to the very top. The city was dirty and filled with graffiti covered walls. I soon learned of all its imperfections and quickly began to feel at home. To many, New York City is a vast expanse of filth and smog, yet I love every inch of it! Florence is the same, right down to the Louis Vuitton purses sold illegally on the streets. Some things will never change. I explored the history of the city and every little loggia; countless museums and famous statues. Soon enough I found what I believe to be the most beautiful in all of Florence; the Piazza Annunziata. To truly experience a place is a rarity for tourists who hop from city to city with checklists of ‘must see’ sites, never stopping to find that ‘hidden nook’. There’s great adventure in getting to know the woman who sells groceries in the tiny shop down the street, and laughing with her about my poor grasp on the Italian language, or having a roommate who cooks a meal of never-ending dishes, unlike anything I’ve seen before! Expensive restaurants, constant rain, and the whistling of Italian men will always be cherished memories of Florence. The city is just like a person -- to truly love it, you must first learn to love its flaws.
by Kaitlin Kearn