On my walk this morning down lungarno (the street along the Arno), I crossed paths with a few people walking toward the centro (center of the city) with their macchine fotografiche (cameras) dangling around their necks or tightly held in their hands. I hope they take a few amazing foto (photos) that they can cherish when they return home. Generally people tend to visit Florence for a short period of time and I always wonder if they’ll stick to the main attractions or venture out and let the beauty of the city inspire them. Even after living here for many years, I still continue to discover more even when I’m not out visiting things specifically, so I wish them the same on their journeys here.

Today I went to a small restaurant near my apartment to have lunch by myself. It’s not something I do often, but I enjoy it greatly. I’m never really alone since I always have with me a book, a notebook, and a pen. I started out by reading my book while I waited for my lunch to arrive, but after a few pages I put it down. The writer in me craved for some time to write while my mind was quiet and there weren’t any distractions like work, phone, people, or email.

After many cool and rainy days this summer, the heat has arrived and bought with it high humidity. Being from California, I love the seasons and welcome the hot weather. However, it does take some getting used to because it can be a little overwhelming at the beginning. When we have time and want to cool off, we either go to the montagne (mountains) or to the mare (seaside), but if we don't have that much time, we try to escape the city if just for a few hours.

Each time I get to use my Amici degli Uffizi card, I feel so fortunate. I had been wanting to visit the Bargello National Museum again because it has been a while since I popped in for a visit. It makes me so happy to walk a few minutes from our apartment and enter my favorite museo (museum). I stroll by it quite often and always peer in the tall glass windows to take a peek at the courtyard and statues.

On the mornings when I don’t go for a run along the Arno, I enjoy taking the time to take a long walk up to Piazzale Michelangiolo. When I woke up this morning, I couldn’t wait to go for a walk. The clear blue sky and cool air seemed to be calling to me. I headed out the door and crossed Ponte alle Grazie. I walked toward Piazza Ferrucci, taking a few backroads, and headed up viale Michelangiolo.

With Venus shimmering to the west and an almost full moon to the east, I stood on Ponte San Niccolò with my marito (husband) and our friends. We hadn’t planned to see the fuochi d'artificio (fireworks) in celebration of Florence’s patron saint, San Giovanni, because we were in the Maremma this morning walking along the spiaggia (beach).

For as long as I’ve been in Florence, I have never sat on the steps of the Duomo. The other evening while I was walking by the Duomo, I saw people sitting on the steps and wondered what it would be like to sit there. Before I left our apartment this morning, I told myself that on my way to run a few commissioni (errands), I’d stop and sit on the steps. At 11am with the sun finally shining overhead after many rainy and grey days, I sat down on the cold marble steps and watched people walk by while others stopped to take foto (photos).

I wish I had more time in the day: I’d take more photos and write more about my beloved city. My other website, Florence from the Heart, dedicated to Florence is an outlet for me and other writers who live in Florence. We each select an aspect of the city and let the words flow from our hearts and out to the readers. I asked Andrea Ponsi, an Italian architect, writer, and artist, at his book presentation last week if he wanted to publish his article on via della Ninna because I enjoyed it.

At this time of year, I feel so fortunate to have my morning runs when I get to go around the Arno when the streets are less crowded. It’s a joy not getting stuck in a sea of people in the streets and on the sidewalks. This afternoon, via dei Neri was so packed that I had to change plans completely. Two large, slow-moving crowds were going down the street and turning down a sidestreet. Instead of trying to get past them to take my shortcut, I had to continue down via dei Neri. It was a little longer, but definitely quicker.

Thanks to one of my blog buddies, I found out about a book presentation for Bella Lingua by Dianne Hales at the Società Dante Alighieri. I had invited a couple of friends to come along, but ended up going alone.

It’s interesting how sometimes when I wake up and hear the quietness of the city, I become more reflective. Today is Festa della Republicca and at this time normally the motorini (scooters) and cars are circulating the streets below. I recently spoke to another woman about being an expat and a few ideas solidified in my mind. I love it when a chance encounter with someone proves to be insightful and meaningful for me.

I often walk through Piazza Mentana and always enjoy this view of the statue that stands in the middle of the piazza toward the Arno. In the almost three years we’ve been in this apartment, I’ve noticed this view and have admired it. Today as I was walking by it, I felt drawn to take a foto (picture). Sometimes I don’t have my macchina fotografica (camera) with me and other times I am carrying groceries home and can’t be bothered to take a foto

Each city has its own personality. Most places stir something in us: in some we may feel joy or serenity, while in others we may not be infused with such good feelings. I didn’t understand what Florence was all about when I first arrived. I had many signs, but I wasn’t able to interpret them. I not only had to have a good grasp of the language, but also I wanted to know a few Florentines very well.

A few months ago, a professor from Asbury University in Kentucky emailed me to see if I’d be open to talking with his journalist students if they were to come to Florence. I was of course flattered, but I wondered what I could talk to them about. David, the professor, told me that I could talk about my blog, my “Expats in Florence” column in The Florentine and the expats that I’ve interviewed.

After walking to San Niccolò to meet a friend for caffè, I stopped in the giardinetto (small garden) in Piazza Demidoff on my way back. Instead of rushing home, I sat down on one of the wooden benches along the sidewalk to take in the city. While the sun was behind me warming me up, the wind whisked by to cool me down.