Passeggiate

It's a weekend-combo edition. Get ready for lots of scrolling!

Friday
I visited the Basilica della Santissima Annunziata (Holy Annunciation) with a few of my classmates. I had walked by the Piazza SS Annunziata several times before without even realizing that this crowned jewel of a church existed. I only became aware of it when our conversation class teacher gave us articles to read about places to see in Florence that are off of the normal tourist's itinerary.

It was spectacular inside, even without a guided tour-- gilded, baroque, and all. It happened to be the feast day of the Annunciation and mass was just finishing, and as people streamed out I saw a man wearing a tricoloured sash. People kept coming up to greet him and I guessed (correctly!) that it was the sindaco or mayor of Florence since my teacher had said he was in his thirties (the youngest mayor in Italy, in fact).

Then we headed up to the Piazzale Michelangelo. The four of us each got strawberry and chocolate gelato and sat on the steps, chatting and admiring the view of Florence below, before having a crazy photoshoot of sorts.

 You may be getting bored of this view, but I haven't yet!

On the way home I passed by a special Tuscan outdoor market near my apartment and bought some Sicilian treats from a bakery called "Il Padrino" (the Godfather) to share with Killer. Let's just say I was very disappointed when I realized that the hazelnut, pistachio, and chocolate cookies I had bought were filled with marzipan, which I strongly dislike. I also bought a ciambella (not pictured) and continue to be disappointed in the ciambelle I have had here. Nothing measures up to the ones back home at Sciué.

Before the disgusting dessert, Killer had made us delicious chicken breast for dinner that we each complemented with our bread and rucola. It was one the rare times I had meat (that wasn't bresaola) with my meal!

A home-cooked dinner for champions thanks to Killer

Later that night, Killer and I, along with our new German roommate and her friend from Berlin, headed to Lochness Lounge for drinks. We spent hours standing by the bar talking and I discovered which of the two regular bartenders made my favourite drink. It was hard research -- I had to order three drinks!

 Drink #1: asked for something sweet with peach. Wrong bartender -- much too strong and not sweet enough!

Drink #2: Killer helped me ask my bartender (the one in grey to the right) for something sweet. I got a "Flaming Moe" of sorts -- a kiwi flavoured drink. Unfortunately I do not like kiwi.

Drink #3 (not pictured): My drink!

On our way home we stopped by Twice, the nightclub with good music but where a lady is prone to being dance-attacked from behind. We left after 30 minutes.

Saturday

My two friends from class and I met up to see the Great Synagogue of Florence, another one of Florence's hidden treasures. Unfortunately it is closed to the public on weekends, so I only go to see it from the other side of the gate. We improvised and sat on the patio of a nearby bar, sipping caffe lattes and eating cornetti, waiting as another schoolmate joined us. I noticed that this bar was looking for employees so I asked the owner about it since it had been one of my little dreams to work in a café while living in Florence. But as soon as he said he needed someone experienced I quickly banished this hope from my head.

We followed up coffee with a stroll to Gelateria La Carraia (in case you don't remember, this is my favourite gelateria in the world). This time I asked the girl working there to give me her two favourite flavours, which in this case were pistachio and nutella. They were delicious as always but my favourite is still cookies!

We walked even further west and reached Le Cascine, what I would call the "Central Park of Florence". It is a huge park with tons of space to walk, run, ride bikes, picnic, etc. and runs alongside the Arno River. There's even a Hippodrome (horse race track). Now that the weather is warmer there are also outdoor games similar to the ones at Playland in Vancouver. The four of us took a fun ride on the waveswinger with dance music playing in the background. All I can say was that the feel of flight was intoxicating and when I came back down I felt slightly dizzy. As we walked back towards the centre of the city we stopped by the Arno to take photos of the sunset.

Lungarno sunset

We met up again for drinks later that night. Of course I dragged us to Lochness since they had never been before, and this time I immediately ordered my sweet peach drink directly from my bartender. It was the best version I had ever had.

I met a bunch of Americans going to my school, none of which would speak Italian (!), and at one point when we were all walking to Twenty-One (another bad nightclub), a bunch of strangers yelled "F*** America!" A tiny bit of chaos ensued but luckily no one was injured. I did not like seeing a bunch of guys puffing their chests up and challenging each other as I've seen animals in nature programs.

Sunday
Laundry day and Posh returned from Budapest! The highlight of my day (other than her return, of course) was reorganizing my closet. Now I look forward to opening my closet doors every morning.

The expression of the day is fare una passeggiata, or to take a (leisurely) walk. It is a vital part of Italian culture and in the early evenings you will always find groups of friends taking a stroll with one another.