Breakdown of My First Week Living in Florence

Ciao dall’Italia! It’s only been a week since my arrival in what I believe to be the most magical city in the world, and I hit the ground running (literally.) On my first day, I walked 18,000+ steps exploring and indulging in the local culture. From the bustling piazzas with vendors selling everything from second-hand clothing to fruits and vegetables to a gelateria on almost every block.

WORK:

Both my published books are now available at Paperback Exchange, which was a small family business opened in 1979 has flourished and through the years has gained a reputation as one of the most important independent English-language bookshops in Italy.

In the upcoming weeks, I have a few other meetings with local bookstores and am excited to get my writing into the hands of Florentines.

 Don’t forget Soulace Seeker Book Club starts Tuesday, September 14th. Sign up now to make sure your book arrives before our first discussion next week!

HISTORY LESSON:

In case you missed it on Instagram, buchette del vino, or “wine windows” date back to the fifteenth century but became increasingly popular during the Italian Plague from 1629-1631. It allowed minimal contact between the seller and consumer. As we often see history repeat itself, buchette del vino made a strong comeback during the lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It allowed businesses to stay afloat while adhering to the strict social distancing rules. There are roughly 150 of these tiny facades in Firenze, many of which were sealed up or destroyed over the centuries, but you can still find some today that not only offer wine, but other Italian staples such as gelato, coffee, or an Aperol spritz.

EXPERIENCES THUS FAR:

Florence still has many summer events throughout the month of September so Friday night I went to Ultravox Arena, an outdoor amphitheatre located in parco delle cascine to see the German electronic musician, Apparat.

Giardino di Boboli (Boboli Gardens) is a five-minute walk from my apartment and is such a serene place to walk the grounds, admire mythological statues, and unobscured views of the city. It is the perfect setting to find a secluded area amongst the rows of citrus trees to journal or read. 

FOOD:

You’ll often see restaurants labeled Ristorante, Trattoria, Osteria, or Enoteca. This can help you distinguish what kind of establishment it is. Ristorante typically is fine dining, trattoria is typically family-owned, and an osteria is less formal. Enoteca is your wine bars that serve small snacks and is the perfect setting for an aperitif. So far, the Margherita pizza I had at Gustapizza in San Spirito still has my mouth watering while I Due Fratellini, one of the most popular sandwich shops left me unimpressed but can’t beat a quick lunch for 2 euros.

So far, my experience has been everything I imagined it to be and more…I can’t wait to fill you in on what happens next!

A presto!