Ben Funk
How will you spend your Thanksgiving break?
After my first days in Florence, there are a few things I have come to terms with: my much-needed morning coffee no longer came venti-sized nor in a to-go cup; my Italian is as fluent as a 2-year-old's; and my six years of learning a foreign language can only get me so far. What's more, my mastery of New York's grid system does me little good while attempting to navigate the city's winding streets.
But I have found getting lost in Florence is an experience in itself. The city's many flagstone-paved streets, lined with terra-cotta-roofed buildings backed by the cloudless Tuscan sky, exude an old-world charm. Each turn seems to lead to some hidden monument or historic landmark. And in just stepping out of my apartment in the morning I see the magnificent rose- and emerald-marbled Basillca di Santa Maria in the distance to my left, while the Galleria dell'Accademia - currently home to Michelangelo's "David" - is just a block to my right.
And even when I do lose my way, I have the solace of knowing I will never go hungry. Florence certainly has no shortage of food establishments offering freshly made pastas, pizzas or delicacies such as succulent Florentine steaks (often larger than the average adult's head).
My most recent noshing spot is il Mercato Centrale, an indoor market where one can sample local favorites such as tripe panino before exploring the numerous stalls of fresh fruits, vegetables, meats and other edible goodies. I can grab a bottle of wine for 2 euros or sip an energizing, crema-topped espresso at a quaint cafe. Though no store seems to offer venti-size or cups to-go, coffee breaks allow for some time to relax and people watch.
From my observations, the people of Florence are extremely warm and welcoming. I already made friends with a few locals who are not only proud of their city, but are more than willing to share it with others. They provide the best advice and thankfully tolerate my rudimentary Italian.
For now, I can say "Ciao di Firenze" — greetings from Florence! It may be one of the 10 Italian phrases I know so far. I look forward to discovering much, much more.
