FIRENZE

Dear Caroline,

First day trip in Italy! Mamie took a cab to my place and we got to the train station with time to spare. Train travel in Europe Is next level. We went in a bullet train, which went up to 250km/h (you’ll have to ask you dad for the conversion into miles). What would normally take 4 hours in a car took us under 2 hours by train! It was also super comfortable.

Once arrived in Florence we were hungry, I was taking us to a famous pastry shop when we stubbled upon the Mercato Centrale. A massive in door market with a bunch of food stalls, not dissimilar to Markthalle 9 in Berlin. Mamie found a spiced chicken place and ordered a chicken leg and some salad. We then realized it was 4 chicken legs and a salad, so we shared. After lunch we walked towards the Duomo, the famous Cathedral. I didn’t realize but we were in Florence on museum Sunday, meaning that all museums were free to the public.

We walked past the museum for Cappelle di Medicee and went inside. The entrance brings you to the crypt, which I thought was a little boring. It had some artifacts on display, then we saw signs pointing to a staircase. Mamie doesn’t really do stairs so she sent me ahead to see if it was worth her climbing the stairs or not. I went ahead and just peaked the corner and let me tell you, it was worth the climb. When Mamie reached the top of the stairs and saw the sliver of what was to come through the door like I did, she agreed. This was the Medici Chapel. It was grand from the little piece you see through the door but once you’re inside the magnificence just keeps going and is awe inspiring.

The only thing I absolutely wanted to see in Florence, other than the Duomo, was Officina Profumo Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella, the oldest perfumery and Pharmacy in Europe, so they say. It was a bit of a walk but worth it. The store is part museum part shop, it was like going back in time. They had the store’s first prescription, they had what is believed to be the first medical codex of herbs and plants, and a whole bunch of perfume making artifacts. It was so cool. The building itself is very old and has frescos on the ceiling and walls.

After our long walks Mamie was ready for some gelato. We found this really cool vegan gelato shop and stayed there for 2 hours, people watching and enjoying our treat. The last museum of the day was Museo di Palazzo Vecchio. It’s crazy to see how people lived in the very distant past and see how they chose to decorate their rooms. Every room had some sort of theme and art painted on the walls and ceiling to covey that theme. You wouldn’t see buildings like this built today that’s for sure.

We ended our day with dinner at Antico Ristoro di Cambi. A family owned restaurant with local fare. Then we ordered Mamie wanted the crostini with pâté from the English menu. I order it in Italian as crostini toscani and the server came with just bread. Mamie all concerned wanted to order in English to make sure we get the pâté. But sure enough the crostinis with pâté arrived and Mamie was happy. A great way to end a great day.