About Florence, I could probably write endless stories. About food, drinkes, pastries, coffee, shops, history, architecture, culture, etc. But I will just keep to the story about people. Because to me, the people in your live are most important. Their ability to multiply your joy (sometimes by 10) or to soften your pain... it enriches your live in a way that materials, even good coffee (which actually makes a good second!) never will.
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| Carolien and Carolin, in front Ponte Vecchio |
The first day, when I arrived I met my name-companion, with whom I grew very close in a weeks time. We shared my first meal and she was the first to show me the il Duomo.
The second day, I met my first Italian. He was kind, invited me to his house, made me lunch. We watched football and after that I left. He wanted me to contact him again, but I had an inkling he actually wanted more then I was willing to offer. So I didn't see him again.
The third day was my first day of school and at the first lessons I was introduced to Saïda and our teacher; Mina. Mina was... Intense. At first I was a little intimidated by her, I felt like I couldn't get it right and I felt stupid a lot. But after I learned more she began to grow on me. She's not mean, it's her very intense way of expressing herself! Something I should be familiar with!
At the second class I met Krista and Brent, a lovely American couple. Sweet as can be and still so much in love with each other.
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| Saïda, Fidya and Carolien... ON the ponte Vecchio ;-) |
Rebecka may well be one of the most special women I have ever met. She was 10 times more expression-ate as I am. Which by itself is very rare. But she did this in a way that always made me crack up. It also was good fuel for a conversation. Whenever we didn't know what to say, one of us did a Rebecka impression and the next five minutes where filled with giggling laughter, more impressions and just smiling at the thought of Rebecka. You have to understand, this was not in a mean way, I checked this with Rebecka as well, because I would've hated it if she thought we were being mean. No she loved our class, she loved our laughing, she simply enjoyed our spirit. I'd just like to say, everyone need a Rebecka in their lives.
Saïda and I at first didn't immediately connect. She allready had a friend, I met her the fourth day: Fidya. At first I thought Fidya and Saïda were friends in a way, I would be interfering if I wanted to join in.
I couldn't have been more wrong.
When Carolin left after my first week I was sad, she has been the core of my social life up till then. I didn't know what to do, where to go, whom to see.
That Sunday (my eigth day), Saïda, Fidya and I went to 'Il gatto e la Volpe' and everything changed. We actually wanted to have lunch at a different place, but there was a cue of 45 minutes ( to get american hamburgers...!).
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| Michael, Dick and Carolien |
This kind of service, non of us was used to! From that moment 'Il Gatto' was our living room, you could practically find us there, day and night. We became good friends with the waiter, who later appeared to be the owner of the restaurant, his name was Michael.
Through Michael we met other Italian people who became our friends. It all happened so quickly, I can't believe how fast the time passed.
The Italian people are very helpful especially if you're friends with them... or if you're friends with their friends... or if you're friends with their cousins...
Live is cheaper, easier and much more fun, when you're in Italy and friends with Italian. Then... Anything is possible!
Today I said goodbye to all my friends and started a new part of my journey. I will miss them all...
But I'm also very curious what will happen next!
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For anyone who wants to see my pictures of Florence: You can see them here
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