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I write to you from a small cafe on the corner, near my hostel. The smell of espresso and breakfast sweets from the cafe flow into the streets. Everyone sits outside, here. They all talk and seem to know each other. I ordered a coffee and a chocolate danish...and the little girl (bambina) next to me is singing some italian school song.
Its alot warmer today than the past few days...which is very nice. It has taken me a while to write so here is a recap of the past few days...
I must admit the first few days were rough. Apparently my mom thought it would be funny to check me into a hostel, which let me inform you is mostly made of of backpackers......so needless to say when my taxi dropped me off with my two carry ons and two huge rolling luggage bags (total weight 100 lbs) I looked a little out of place....
My room was on the third floor, and no their weren't any elevators. After what seemed like forever, I made it to my room. Six girls to a room, clean, bare but a great view of the city. Free internet acess and breakfast in the morning.
I was hot and obviously exhausted, when I came barging in the room, the girls looked at me as if I missed the exit for the Ritz. But I explained to them that I would be staying in Italy till August and they understood. We cracked open a bottle of Italy's finest wine, went downstairs to the garden and chatted the rest of the night.
The next day I remeber that the hostel gives free walking tours of the city at 10 am every morning...thought it would be a great way to get a feel for the city.... I assumed the walking tour would end at the hostel, but thats what I get for assuming.
Three Hours into the tour, our guide turns to us and says "Ciao Bellas. Enjoy the city" and with that she was gone.....Now if any of you know me, you know I usually get lost coming home. So this news was somewhat unnerving....
I turned around, and my group had all split up and went it differnt directions. So I decided I would backtrack our steps and hopefully end up back at the hostel. I got lost and fortunately bumped into a chinese college kid with a map. Jackpot! He was going to help me get home, he just didnt know it yet...
Johnson (odd name I know haha) agreed to helping me but told me were going to visit the Duomo first and some other sights and then head back to the hostel. This was his only day in Florence and he wanted to see a few thing...
Now when he said he wanted to SEE the duomo, I thought that was exactly what he meant...nope. Somehow I ended up climbing to the top of the duomo all 414 steps with some random chinese kid, who I could barely understand.
The stairs were steep and tiny...and it was extremly hot inside the stairwell. But when you got to the top, it was amazing. I advise anyone with the vitality, to give it a try. Best view yet.
That night, the girls and I ate a pizza and drank some more wine....
Today, I went shopping in the marketplace. The streetsof Florence are alive with people, music, and the wonderful smell of food. Children run after dogs in the streets, and bicycles line the store fronts. You can hear the church bells ringing on the hours through the marketplace (so no need for an alarm).
I grabbed a gilato and hit the streets. I bought a new leather jacket and purse....and also a beautiful cashmere scarf (how very european of me). I also bought a bottle of white wine today, to share with the roomates later.
For now though, I nap. Ciao Bella!! (check out the photo album)
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