Ciao e Grazia Firenze!

I leave Florence on Thursday morning. It's hard to believe that I have been here for almost three months. It's truly a beautiful city and I have really enjoyed my time here. Here are a few things that I learned while I was a temporary, wannabe Florentine:

• Bad pizza and bad wine do not exist in Italy.
• Dogs are well dressed and allowed just about everywhere.
• Long knit sweaters, leggings and boots are the general outfit of choice for fashionable Italian women.
• Bisteca Florentine is a speciality in Florence – a huge hunk of meat that’s charred on the outside and virtually raw on the inside.
• Italians have individual gestures to communicate just about everything.
• Apertivo is way better than Happy Hour --- buy one drink and an all you can eat buffet of hot and cold food is included.
• Coffee Bars are the best. The best espresso, cappuccino and pastries are served to you by well dressed Italian men. A great place for a snack and people watching.
• Paninis and wine on the go – love it!
• Italian trains (non Eurorail) go everywhere: however, they are incredibly slow and run only if there is not a strike.
• Italian politicians give American Tea Partiers, hippies and anarchists a run for their money – at least in the insanity and scandal department.
• Italians seem a little disappointed when you clarify that you are from New York State not New York City (Then again, I think this may be true everywhere).
• The statue of David is not a disappointment and leaves even those who may not be that interested in art absolutely awestruck.
• Italians take pride in their appearance. Their version of “dressing down” is still pretty darn nice. Heck,I didn’t feel comfortable wearing a sweatshirt to class.
• "Bo" means “I don’t know.”
• Many dance clubs have drink cards. Bartenders stamp your card with every drink and you pay the bouncer on your way out.
• I wish we had more piazzas in America (just a thought).
• Tips are included in restaurants (sometimes a service fee or "coperto" is added on) and for taxis.
• “Vai in la boca di lupo” directly translated means "Go in the mouth of the wolf." The expression is used to wish someone good luck.
• Italians take their time with dinner but barely spend a minute on breakfast.

This is certainly not an exhaustible list but aptly consolidates a lot of the memories and experiences that I have had while in Florence. I have really loved my time in Italy and hope to return some day. Ciao Bella Italia!

Picture One by Jaya Bird: Scuderi, one of my favorite coffee bars.