Lost in Florence

"...I now find myself wandering the narrow streets of Florence (Firenze) in a state of both awe and intimidation. Around me I hear the percussion of Italian tongues as I try to move with the flow of foot traffic on a sidewalk half the size I'm used to. You can venture off into the one lane street beside you if you like to avoid oncoming people with umbrellas, but I wouldn't advise it. Italians whiz by on vespas at a crazy speed, and buses that we would think obviously were too big for the street don't hold back either. However, I still feel safe in the street, as Italians, although at first impression appear to be wreck less drivers, they are actually very alert drivers. I sense that this behavior is a fabrication of the bigger culture here: Flowing chaos. It seems that everything is disorganized, but somehow it works and flows and sings. It is Italy."

(The streets of Florence, Piazza di S. Croce in the distance)

I am in a place of immense history, creative arts, fashion, and style. It's here that many fashion brands start and beam style to the rest of the world like a beacon in the fog. Tucany is home to Gucci, Diesel, and Giorgio Armani as well as amazing Chianti and Italian leather. I feel grossly under dressed here in the streets. I'm also very content to be in such a culture shock and sometimes I try to imagine if I'm ever wandering the same path as Leonardo Da Vinci once did, or Michaelango, or the Medici family.

(A Gucci store)

(Florence)

Florence is a labryinth of narrow streets, where a lot of the buildings look the same. You keep walking and every once in a while, the street opens up into an amazing Piazza (plaza) home to an architectural icon or two, or perhaps a sculpture crafted by one of the greats dipicting a Roman leader. One such place is the Piazza del Signorina, full of sculptures and the original home to Michaelango's David, which is now in a museum: Galleria dell'Academia.

(Piazza del Signorina)

There is also the beautiful Duomo of Florence, which is the biggest cathedral in the city. According to historical Italian law, each city has a Duomo which, by definition, is the biggest cathedral in the city, rests at the center, and also is the tallest building in the city, at least from what I understand.

(The iconic Duomo of Florence!)

(Breathtaking detail)



(Beautiful white marble)

(You can see how the Duomo is the tallest building, look at the shadow looming over the city)

After you experience the Duomo, there are several cafes you can tuck into and join the fellow residents for a scalding hot espresso, but in a lot of places here most people enjoy their caffe or breakfast while standing.

Italians seem to stand a lot. They also work a lot, some 6ohrs and 6 days a week. This came as a surprise for me as I always got the impression that everyone in Europe works less than the US. However, I just don't get the feeling of stress here, as Italians are very laid back, they don't worry as much as we do. It seems like everything is done on a handshake and there is a vague concept punctuality.

Yesterday I paid a visit to Michaelango's David. I joined several other tourists in a reverent silence as all you can do is just stare in awe. He is so elegantly poised and polished staring off to his left with a humble pride. He is amazing. I just relaxed here and took it all in for the better part of an hour. Seeing such a famous icon of art like that is quite a rush. You see him everywhere in pictures and books, but finally getting to see him in person was amazing.

More on Italy soon...