How has my opinion changed of Florence between January 25th and now at this very moment? My brother recently asked me this question via Skype and I realized I didn't have an answer for him. Surely it must have changed somehow...
My old street, taken January 26, 2012.I knew nothing about Florence when I got here. I did not know what Florence was famous for, what famous Italians came from here, the government situation. Now, I can give any tourist a grand tour of the historical center with heaps of history about who is buried there, the architectural happenings and throw in some politics to make it zesty. You might find it incredibly stupid to go, alone, at 18, to a foreign country in a city that one knows nothing about...but I think it made everything that much more new and exciting.
I thought everything was all rainbows and butterflies. I don't have to explain this. No, just no. As is the case with many study abroad students, they are kept in a tiny bubble in which they believe there is no conflict or economical problems. Many hold on to their misconstrued idea that everything in any foreign country is "better." Most of the time, that's because they don't bother to pick up a newspaper or simply pay attention. Italy, like every other civilized country, has heaps of problems, and just because it's Italy (EatPrayLove, Under the Tuscan Sun. Please. Save me.), doesn't mean it's absent from the everyday/long term problems a country typically faces.
that being said...
Florence is the most beautiful city I've ever seen. This has not changed, nor do I think it will ever change. It may not be my favorite (NYC still holds a strong place in my heart...and I haven't been everywhere!), but it's definitely the most breathtaking. After having traveled the US, to London, Paris, Hamburg, Meerhout, Amsterdam, Milan, Pisa, Verona, Venice, Siena, etcetcetc, I am still in awe when I return to Florence and see it. I wake up and walk out my front door and still can't get over it. There is just something about this city...it's like...how you envision Italy to be in your mind if you haven't been here. That's Florence.
I'm going during winter? It's going to be so warm! Mediterranean here I come!!! WRONG. When I arrived in Florence, it was the coldest it had been in Thirty Years.
I didn't understand the streets whatsoever. Streets will just change while you're still walking on one stretch of road. To be honest, I still don't understand it.
The end of my old street; taken July 8, 2012. I can say other than the above, my opinion hasn't really changed, I've just learned more about the country's culture and politics. I still think Florence is gorgeous, and I still love the city (and all of its construction) endlessly. I learned how to make a life here when and if I choose, and I began learning the Italian language.
Now, what I learned from studying abroad, "studies" aside? That's a completely different story...
Ciao for now,
-m. xx