Leaving Florence

This is our last week in Firenze, and what a week it has been!


Ian's Dad, Lonnie, came to visit this week. His visit was a whirlwind as he arrived Tuesday at noon and left this morning (Thursday) to explore Rome and the Vatican. We packed in as much of Florence as we possibly could in a day and a half. It was wonderful to have Lonnie visit us. Lonnie is a Presbyterian minister and, therefore, truly understands the deeper meaning and history behind much of the Renaissance art in Florence. He was able to explain the stories depicted in the art and provide us with the historical background. As a school nerd and someone who thrives on learning this was such a treat! Who needs a tour guide?! We have Lonnie! While Ian's Dad was here we: saw the David, explored the Duomo, wandered the city streets, spent hours in the Uffizi Gallery, stood in Piazza Signora (where priest Savonarola was executed for his religious beliefs), visited the tombs of Michelangelo, Galileo, and Machiavelli in the Basilica of Santa Croce, walked over the Arno on Ponte Vecchio, and indulged in a fair amount of traditional Italian delights: pizza, pasta, lots of gelato, and wine! Our last week in Florence was filled with all our favorite Florentine sites, sounds, and gastronomy, and included a piece of our family. What a blessing and a wonderful way to spend our last moments in Firenze!

While the past few days have been filled with family, fun, and adventure, now we must prepare to leave this great city. We are cleaning, packing, ironing, and disconnecting our Internet. Today is our last full day in Firenze. We arrived January 8th and have been living here for eight weeks. I can't believe it's already time to go! We've really enjoyed living in such a beautiful city with a culture so steeped in history and tradition. There are so many things I will miss about Florence, but I'm also looking forward to our next adventure.


Here is a small sampling of things I will miss most about Florence: Esselunga, our supermercato down the street. The familiar face of the man at the Ponte Rosso tabacchi (we think he is originally from New York just by the way he speaks English). The loud neighbors who live above us and are constantly rearranging their furniture...at least that's what it sounds like they are doing every night! Crossing the busy intersections at Piazza Liberta. The 13" TV with scrambled MTV and DeeJay TV. Hanging our clothes out to dry...and then frantically rushing to bring them inside when it rains. Dodging pigeons. The woman in high heels who we hear walking home every night at 9:30. Intermittent rain storms and bouts of sunshine. Our little park up the street with the dragon sculpture/fountain. The Duomo. The dinky little kitchen and our terribly uncomfortable bed (not that I will miss them so much as they remind me to be thankful for what I have at home!).

A popular tradition for tourists is to visit the Loggia del Mercato Nuovo where there is a bronze statue of a wild boar. According to local tales, if you rub the boar's nose it will bring you good luck and also ensures that you will return to Florence. If you look closely, you can see that the boar's nose is worn out from all the people rubbing it. Hopefully the tale is true and we will return to Florence someday!


As I write this I'm looking out the window where the rain is steadily coming down. It seems so appropriate; the rain was pouring when we first arrived and is pouring again as we prepare to leave. It is time to go. I'm definitely tired of the rain and looking forward to traveling south where, hopefully, the weather is warmer and there is less rain. We leave tomorrow morning en route to Naples. I'm so excited for our upcoming adventure! Florence has been such a wonderful experience, but I can't wait to see new places and explore new cities in Italy. We have just over three weeks left in our trip and roughly eight cities to visit! Thus, as the Italians say: buon viaggio!