People keep asking what I’ve seen of Florence since we moved here two weeks ago. The truth is that I’m still in lockdown mode, so if I see people without masks, I don’t go there. So far I haven’t done much in Florence except go from one Italian bureaucracy to another.
But along the way I saw:
The Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, the symbol of Florence known as the Duomo, construction started 1256. Seats 30,000 non-socially-distancing believers, or just me. (my history fix).
The Apple Store in Piazza della Repubblica (my techie fix)
Gelato! (cantaloupe and lemon, my sweet tooth fix)
The Everybody-Should-Like-Everybody offices of the minder who trotted us around to get the Leave to Remain stamps (my ‘who needs recreational drugs?’ fix)
The roller-skating waitress with the interesting facemask at the American Diner (my ‘who needs the States?’ fix)
Typical local boulevard, which occasionally scrapes the car on one side or another, all to the accompaniment of Italians honking at us to get the hell out of their way. (my ‘staring death in the face’ fix)
The “Posuerunt Me Custodum” (I’m watching you) statue of Mary guarding our street (my ‘who needs a burglar alarm when God’s mom is watching?’ fix)
And back home? A rainbow over the 15th century convent on the opposite hill. (My ‘I think there’s a message there somewhere…’ fix)
Barb Taub 
Even in a lockdown (yours and mine!) you manage to make me laugh, Barb! Can not wait until you can really get to grips with Florence…
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It’s absolutely impossible not to love Florence, so even walking around and watching from outside is a soul-shaking experience. I agree–can’t wait to really get into Florence properly!
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I have always wanted to visit Italy, and Florence, so looking forward to your posts, Barb!
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you are funny no matter where you land. florence would be fascinating. p.s. i could only get the first picture to open for some reason, and based on my tech skills, it is most likely me not you )
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You’re WAY too kind. Clearly I must have done something wrong, but darned if I know what it was. So I’ve just dumped all the pix and reinstalled. Hopefully, they will be visible now. I’m so sorry.
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No problem, and it have been funny if I commented on how great they all looked, only to find out later that they never appeared)
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I have the same problem has Beth – the pics don’t open. When I click on them a message comes up saying ‘Gone’.
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As far as I know, I didn’t think I did anything differently this time. But as I just told Beth, clearly I’ve made some kind of error. I’ve removed all the photos and uploaded new files. Hopefully they will work now. Sorry about that!
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I’ve got pictures, now which makes the post a lot more entertaining. Thank you.
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Ah, WordPress. You know, I’ve put up hundreds of blog posts, and stuff like this still happens?
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To all of us from time to time 🙂
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You covered everything with snark, Barb – the big, the small, the delicious!
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Hey! I resemble that remark…
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WOW! but what about the PASTA ?
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So you go into the grocery store here, and there is an aisle of floor to ceiling shelves, stretching the length of the store, which is all pasta, all the time. And that doesn’t even count the freezer and refrigerated sections FULL of fresh pasta in every size and shape. Plus there are vast arrays of olive oil that easily rival the wine sections, cases of fresh mozzarella balls and parmesan cheeses, extensively curated racks of coffee beans, and an end cap (if you’re lucky) with a random bag or two of potato chips. And you could buy gelato, but why would you when there are gelaterias selling their homemade versions on almost every block?
Life is good here. Very very good.
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Yes, I really did see them now and i especially find the American restaurant funny, they’d the vibe we give off, frozen in time and everyone knows not to mess with a momma in Italy, especially Mary!
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I feel protected every time I drive in past the “I’m watching you” Mama of God.
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Lol! We found Florence a little too busy!
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You’d probably like it better now.
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Love to see a carousel like that in the town square. They’re a great addition to any public space.
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Every time I walk by, someone is lovingly sweeping, wiping, cleaning it off. There are very few children out in the big public spaces, but hopefully they will all be back someday…
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Lovely post thnx to share this lovely post
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