Overseas discoveries no. 3

*I wrote this post when I first arrived in Florence (January 2017) for five months of studying and living in Italy. Everything was so new and exciting and I love looking back on this. I wrote several for this series, and will be continuing it.*

ONE. Always have euros, especially at bars (Italian coffee shops).

Most places don’t take credit or debit cards unless it’s over five or ten euros. If you don’t have coins or cash, they may send you to the nearest ATM, which may make you almost late for your 8 am…almost.

TWO. Moka Arra is the best brand of coffee.

Therefore it makes THE best espresso!!! I want to smuggle home a whole suitcase of it. If a bar uses a different brand of coffee, I usually don’t even waste my time there.

THREE. Saturdays and Sundays are for strolling.

So I’m learning to slow down my pace and enjoy the mild winter weather (feels like a glorified spring to this Minnesotan). I’m just waiting for the day I can stroll like the best of ‘em, which in my case will mean walking without consciously telling myself to slow down my pace. Florentines know a lot of secrets to life, and one that I admire most is their ability to stroll.

FOUR. Aperitivo might be Italy’s greatest invention.

And if you find the right place, it can make a great dinner. Hello 4 euro glass of wine and endless tasty nibbles.

FIVE. No matter how hard you try to look Euro, you’ll probably still look American.

Even the bambinos e bambinis (babes and kids) have better style than me. Imagine scarves, baby Timberland’s, hooded jackets with pink fur…their style has no end!

SIX. Find your favorite spots and stick to them.

It made my day the other day when the barista at one of our favorite bars said “ciao bella” to me the other day as I was leaving the coffee shop (it was also the first time I’ve heard that phrase and didn’t cringe! lol). It’s fun to have locals recognize you, and makes the atmosphere of any place more comforting and welcoming when you see familiar faces.

SEVEN. Don’t go anywhere until midnight.

The crowds on the streets ebb and flow. It’s super busy during lunchtime, then again around aperitivo time, then everyone disappears for dinner and they don’t re-emerge until late, like 11 pm at the earliest. So unless you want to be sitting in a sparsely attended jazz club, remember this rule.

EIGHT. Use your resources.

I feel so lucky to have professors and advisors on hand at school to answer any and every question I have, and they are much better resources than google. One of our favorite professors, who gave us a few tours during orientation week, is my go-to person for questions about how things are pronounced, popular phrases, and of course, where to eat. I should probably mix in a few questions about class now and then..!

NINE. Walk in the streets.

In a city such as Florence, pedestrians run the town and walking is valued. Just watch out for the taxis-they go super fast and cut every corner way too close. But most streets are car-free, unless the car is carrying an old lady who lives in the city center and needs to get back to her apartment, according to one of my professors. Oh, Italy…

*I wrote this post when I first arrived in Florence (January 2017) for five months of studying and living in Italy. Everything was so new and exciting and I love looking back on this. I wrote several for this series, and will be continuing it.*