Overseas discoveries no. 4

*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.*

This week was a short week in Florence, since I left for Switzerland on Thursday night, so my discoveries are a little shorter than usual. Nonetheless, it was another good week in the city, constantly observing and learning in this new country of mine! A definite highlight of this week was being recognized on the street by the barista at one of my favorite cafes, and being greeted with “ciao ragazze!” Molto bello, what a day maker!

ONE. Pigeons are like the squirrels of the midwest.

Don’t ever shy away from them or flinch if they fly by you. Locals may mock you (not talking from personal experience or anything…). Then remember you when you walk by later and remind you of it (again, not talking from personal experience).

TWO. Take it slow.

I seriously have to remind myself of this every day. Why is walking at a fast pace so American? If you really want to look European, learn to stroll and show up late to class…just kidding. But in all honesty, my Italian professors are almost always late to class! I think I could get used to that.

THREE. Window shopping is part of the lifestyle.

Stop to look through store windows that interest you. Window displays are made to be appreciated, and I’ve already found my favorites (hello, Dolce & Gabbana kids…too adorable).

FOUR. Having matching dogs is posh.

Even better if they have matching outfits.

FIVE. Italy smells as good as it looks.

At certain times of day, you could choose what bar or restaurant you want to go into based on how good it smells, not kidding!! The waft of sweet pastries drifting out of the cafes in the morning is enough to make my mouth water, and I think my stomach growled on command last weekend as I walked home from yoga over lunchtime.

*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.*