So...it has been 7 days since Ava and I have landed in Florence.
My sincere apologies for not writing sooner but the internet in our rental was not up to snuff (as most of Europe) and we finally got it sorted out so we can connect to the rest of the world.
It was quite a journey getting here. Ava came from the west coast of Canada and I from central (for the purists). I got to Amsterdam first and had a 6 hour layover. Of all the airports to have such a layover I am so thankful for AMS., it has to be the best for shopping and relaxing while in a controlled area.
We boarded this teeny tiny plane to Florence, I had to do deep breathing during boarding and take off just to counteract my phobia. But I survived and the 1.5 hour flight above the clouds with little hints of land below passed by uneventfully. PHEWWW.
Since I have been in Florence I have spent the first week getting acclimatised and oriented to this place. As with most (99%) of Europe the streets are narrow (1 moped and a granny wide) and you really have to watch your ass as you go about your business. I have yet to hit any museums or other tourist oriented facilities. After all I am here for 2 month so no sense rushing these things.
I have seen from the outside most of the famous landmark buildings such as the Duomo, Basillica Santa Croce, Pitti Palace, Boboli Gardens, Ponte Vecchio (daily crossing) and so many other landmarks that it just blows ones mind as to how much this city has to offer and has contributed to the development of our world history.
The neighbourhood we are staying in is on the Oltrarno side of Florence and it is a really family oriented place. I am on Piazza Torquato Tasso and it has a playground, trattorias, shops and very close to all and just a 15 minute walk into the centre of Florence for all the really great stuff to do. I am really looking forward to the Christmas festivities as the city is already getting hyped and from what I have seen in the couple of evenings I have been out it will be spectacular.
My first big outing was today and I headed out to Ikea. Ya, Ya Ya.. relax. I needed some stuff to make my stay here better and on the weekends Ikea has a free shuttle from Santa Maria Novella (SMN) station.. that is the massive train and bus terminal in town. So I crammed onto this bus with the new students, old babushkas and crying little snotty nosed children ( I thought Italians believed in corporal punishment lol) and was in and out in one hour. YAHOO!!
I am planning trips from my base in Florence for this week and the criteria is that the destination be no further than 1.5 hours by train. That actually leaves a lot of destinations in the running.
One of my first stops will be Pisa and then Fiesole which was an exclusive domain of the Etruscans and just a short bus ride away.
Now that I have a good internet connection and am totally settled in here in Florence, been to my first Scottish Pub, I will be more diligent in my musings on this site.
I think this has gone well considering my good meal of lamb, veggies, copious amounts of good affordable wine and grappa.
Until my next posting I hope everyone is well and having as much fun as I.
Ciao.
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