Florence 2

Homeaway rentals are usually pretty good once you’re settled in. Sometimes settling can be unsettling. We were instructed to call from the train station when we arrived. The damn phone with it’s new Vodaphone SiM card decided to ask for a pass code. Of course, the code was packed away. In the train station, I had to open up my suitcase and rummage through it to find the card and get it operable again. Then, the phone went to an answering machine that no doubt gave a witty reply. I didn’t understand a word, in fact, I thought the disembodied voice was advising that the phone had been disconnected. I left a message after the growly noise. Not a beep, a growly sort of noise. With no other options, we got into a cab and went to the apartment office.

As we expected, on Saturday, the office was closed. I checked the phone, just in case, and found seventeen messages from our greeter. She came from around the corner and brought us into our apartment. Happy ending.

The accommodation is perfectly located and comfortable although chilly. Even though it’s warm outside, these marble and stone buildings trap cold air at night and are hard to warm up. I remembered freezing in October in Italy and we brought thick socks and sweaters to wear inside.
The clothing we had wasn't enough and we ended up going to H&M where I bought heavy sweats and a black knit cap to wear indoors.

This morning we’re having toast. The “Jolly” toast machine looks like a kind of catapult. Sometimes Italian design is clownish. Don’t you think this toaster is a bit much? The blue handles lift the toast in and out of the slots. Form dominates function.

As expected, the streets are mobbed in Florence. Yesterday, a beautiful sunny day, about 75 degrees brought everyone out into the squares, the restaurants, and the shops. We wandered around getting familiar with our location on Belledonna steps away from the Piazza Santa Maria Novella.

For lunch, we ate yet another panini, this time on foccacia. These sandwiches are always good, with salty meat and cheeses - hearty and flavorful. We ate dinner at Osteria Belledonna, right next door to us - a salad, tagliatelle with porcini for me and a pork and white bean dish for Richard. When we ordered Aperol Spritzes, our waiter said, “Why not?” I guess you don’t order these to drink with dinner.

We were surprised to have two plates loaded with crostini topped with tomatoes and chicken livers placed in front of us. The waiter told us, “Yes, your appetizer.” We shrugged and ate a little thinking perhaps it was a free appetizer, offered by some of the tourist joints. Finally, another waiter noticed us looking perplexed. It was someone else’s order.

Two close calls during the day. A motorcycle almost clipped me. A overly vigorous, reckless runner almost topped Richard over. Plowed right on by without so much a glance.