Notes from Florence

Arriving hangry and opting for the easy route by eating at the overpriced Irish pub across the street from the hostel. But the salty fries and Magners pear cider made me a better person again.

Taking part of a day to reset.

Old-fashioned carousels.

Pistachio croissants, cantuccini al cioccolato, gnocchi e salsa do noci, ravioli al tartufo e olio e parmigiana, a bottle of chianti, gelato, and the ultimate girl dinner of mozzarella, tomatoes, focaccia and salame.

A life-changing panino of salame, pecorino, pesto, and sundried tomatoes at Pino’s Sandwiches Salumeria Verdi.

Overheaing a tourist say, “I want like a chocolate ball with like chocolate inside.” 

Getting into museums and the Boboli Gardens for free for International Women’s Day.

Artwork in gold frames.

The super chatty older Italian woman in my room talked and talked every day even though no one staying in the room spoke Italian.

Spending the evening sharing food and travel stories in the kitchen with a French-Canadian, Norwegian, and Indonesian.

“Things happen the way they’re supposed to, and we end up where we’re supposed to.” – 50-something-year-old Norwegian woman talking about her life and loss.

The calming feeling of being at Boboli Gardens after the hustle of the rest of the city. How good the garden smelled and imagining that once upon a time, it was someone’s backyard. Steep inclines that didn’t lead to the statue I was looking for and ending the day with a great view of the city.

Seeing my younger self in someone else.

A free concert in Piazza al Duomo to International Women’s Day.

Looking up to see beautiful views framed by other buildings.

Teal leather block heels I would buy in a heartbeat if I had room in my suitcase.

The long-term traveling reality check of it costing 9.50 euros to do laundry.

Making hostel friends to spend the day with, sharing pasta dishes from Market Centrale, discussing differences in Gen Z vs. millennials, differences between the U.S. and Canada, and our futures.

A cute paper store.

A local street food tour with several history lessons, a visit to Mercato Di Sant’ Ambrogio, and trying several new-to-me dishes.

Dear Florence, I gave you a second chance to redeem yourself from the last time I was here, and you went above and beyond. I’ll be back. Thanks for celebrating women the way you did.