January 7th, 2010
Arrived in Florence today at approximately 12:15 pm. The plane ride was fine from Canada although where I needed to store my backpack there was a black box so limited my comfort space. As soon as the lights went out I conveniently moved my back pack so accommodate my long legs. The transfer in Paris was smooth. Internet research prior to leaving was helpful although my research did not specify that you needed to clear passport customs before entering the next terminal which required a ten minute bus ride. I met a nice young lady from Toronto who lives in Genoa and she was helpful in suggesting that I purchase a phone from Vodaphone and have loved ones call me with an international calling card. Phone cards are a popular item here and also quite economical. We spent time chatting while waiting for our respective planes learning more about Italy.
My first experience that changed the pace of the flow that I am in is the invisible man that was waiting to pick me up at the airport. Note to self…if you book a taxi/limo pick-up from any airport in Italy online you might be wise to ask the company that you book with what the name of the taxi service is called. Not having a cell phone and God only knows where to find a payphone it would be greatly recommended. My first goal for the next day is to find a pay phone. With my increasing wisdom I decided to just forgo the 15 Euros that I had given this company….thank goodness I did not prepay in full, and grabbed my luggage and headed outside. I took a deep breath. The weather was a balmy 10 degrees Celsius and the skies were clear and a glimpse of sun. Welcome to Italy Anka! Now the real adventure begins.
If I have learned one thing about this adventure it is to keep an open mind and not limit nor judge what you hear or see. Keeping a positive attitude and smiling helps. So far not many I have asked speak English. A recommendation prior to living in another country with a different language is to learn the basics. I know that it will all come back to me…a year studying at UofT…should have some memory recall. Back to the airport….I headed for the taxi and discovered that if you travel during the week the cabfare is 3 euros less. So I paid 22 euros to arrive at my apartment. The taxi driver was very friendly and eager to help. I love Italy. Oh and have I told you that most Italian men that I have seen have nicer shoes that I…must get out my cowboy boots.
The apartment was right where the ad in the internet said it would be. I was met by the landlord’s mother Signora A. A lovely elderly lady who was just finishing preparing things before my arrival. At first it took me awhile to figure out how to buzz the apartment. After standing there for some time I decided to press all the buttons and she answered. Another thing to keep in mind when renting abroad is that the landlord’s name will be on the buzzer. Fatigue had set in by that point so it took me awhile to figure that one out.
As I entered the apartment I almost took one of the doors off with my backpack. The doors in Italy are quite unique…nothing compared to the ones we have in Canada. As I entered the apartment this wave came over me. I remembered the young lady at the airport telling me that the accommodations in Italy are so different than what we are used to and that I need to overlook the environment because the experience in other ways will surpass the feeling of surprise I was experiencing at that moment. Keep in mind…different country…different culture..different language…so I focused on all the positives. Certainly the home I had created in Canada was different. Notice how I referred to the term ‘different’….what I am quickly finding out is that home is what you make it. A building is simply a building and this one happens to be over 100 years old. It was clean and smelled fresh. I can walk outside to catch the freshair and I have a wonderful and helpful landlord. Signora A did not speak English, however, we did manage to communicate. I felt that somehow through osmosis I understood everything she said. At one point I began speaking Serbian to her and caught myself thinking…better get back to Rosetta Stone immediately. She was so gracious and on her way home she took me to the grocery store.
The grocery store is conveniently around the corner. It is approximately 1/8 of the size of what ours are like back home and very limited in stock but it looks like most of what I would need would be there. I am so grateful that my sister advised to bring my favourite Starbucks coffee until I get settled. That was the best advice…bring a little comfort of home with you. I wished I had brought my sheepskin slippers as all my floors are tile. For those of you who know me….imagine my surprise when I discovered the beds were small and narrow. I have managed to catch up on some sleep and must say it is comfortable. I have a gas stove and not sure if my oven works but we tested all the burners. As long as I can boil water for coffee I am good to go.
Next to the grocery store is a bar. Free WiFi…..I felt pure joy as I had been searching for a telephone booth or kiosk where I can buy a phone. That will have to wait until tomorrow. I am not certain the logistics of setting up internet in the apartment, however that would be my preference at this point. I was noticing a lot of looks and I chuckled my way through emails today….well I was actually laughing out loud. I had a great glass of Barolo, vino rossi. At least that is two Italian words that are embedded in my memory. At this point I began to relax and realized that I will be okay. (smiling).
Now I must say that the men in Florence are gorgeous. And this has only been my first few hours here. Am looking forward to tomorrow. I had decided from pure fatigue to go to bed after my first visit to the bar and the free WiFi. It is now 1:00am Florence time and I am on my 3rd cup of Starbucks coffee. As I look around my apartment with a fresh new perspective I am happy. The convenience is wonderful and I can walk everywhere. I have space to move around in and it is quiet. Tomorrow I will seek out the art school, find the Canadian embassy and hopefully buy a phone. It is raining tonight. This is rainy season in Florence and the weather drops in the evening. I am so happy I am here and am so looking forward to sharing more with you all. Till the next time….Arriverderci!
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