A Walk through History

When I walk through Florence it is easy to imagine how life must have once flourished here back during the Renaissance. So much richness in all facets, from arts to literature to trades to politics to banking; you name it, they killed it. Traces of cultural wealth are still everywhere. It truly is a walk through history when you visit this city.

But as I mentioned in the last post, today we’ll take a break from sightseeing and shop instead for the eyes and the belly.

Many years ago, before the creation of the Euro, my sister and I would come through Italy during sale seasons. The US dollar used to mean something and we would come back with all kinds of treats from Prada, Missoni, etc. These days, I mainly window shop when I’m in Europe, not just because the dollar is so weak but also because I have different needs and habits. Going through the de-tax and customs process upon re-entering the US is also a chore I try to avoid, especially if the items I see abroad are more or less the same things I can find back home. The sentimental thrill of finding something during a trip to so and so is no longer strong enough to warrant lugging a suitcase full of stuff home anymore. These days, my one luxury is to travel light.

Having said that, however, I still get excited by the beautiful shops, especially in historical locations where I can find a few things from friends’ wish lists, like this Hermès mini Evelyne in malachite and KDT bracelet in etoupe Tadelakt.

As for me, on this trip through Florence it is about satiating my thirst for Italian art, food and sweets. This was my favorite sweet from Florence, a slice of heavenly panforte, a spicy (there are varying degrees of spiciness) fruit/nut cake of sorts, which you buy by weight. I could easily eat my own weight in this panforte but had to stop myself…gravity is not kind after the age of 30 :D. But when in Firenze, one of the favorite local dishes to try is the beef tripe, which you can find in tomato sauce and stuffed in a sandwich (panino con trippa) or served up in a bowl as a kind of ragu as found at the popular (thanks, Tripadvisor!) lunch spot, Da Nerbone at the Mercato Centrale (Central Market).

Well, looks like we did get in some sightseeing today after all! We’ll head out to the water in the next entry.

January 3, 2014