Saturday Afternoon - Oct 13th, 2007

After I left Melinda, I went back to San Lorenzo market where I bought a couple of souvenirs. One for Bob and a couple of things for Sam'e. Bob's gift was easy. He just wanted a coffee cup. I found one with a picture of Florence on it. Sam'e wanted a plate or something similar. I found a hand-painted saucer and cup with the artist's name painted on the bottom. It is very beautiful. I then went to find some very special stationary for myself. I wanted to write and thank Ed'Veeje and Raquel for inviting me, and I wanted it to come from Italy.

I found a beautiful design in one of the stores along the Arno River. There was no stationary with Florence on it - I couldn't believe it. I asked the shop owner, and she had to go into the back store room, where she found exactly what I was looking for. It was cream color. At the top of paper was a hand-painted picture of Florence, with the Duomo, and some other recognizable buildings. The small little two and half picture is framed by gold Greek-looking border. The top and bottom of the frame have blue line running across it. It was perfect.

I spent the afternoon again walking around in Florence, still allowing this beautiful lover to soak into my soul. I cannot describe how complete I felt with Florence. I barely knew her, and yet she had made me another one of her many lovers. If I never return, I have no regrets. I wished I could've done more, but had I tried to run here or there and do everything, I would've missed Florence, the gentle lover all together. Some of you may laugh using the term lover, but until you are there and allow yourself to let the beauty of the City wash over you in "slow" moments of being, you will never understand. The picture above is one I took late at night when all the vendors were gone, on the west side of the Piazza della Republicca, under the porticoes.

I ended up having dinner alone (purposely) early at Piazza della Signoria at one of the squares tourist restaurants. It was not that good, but sitting there and watching the sun go down in the square watching people walk by was peaceful. Families, tourist, Italians, lovers, kids, it was all so beautiful to me. I was part of Florence. I returned to my hotel room and wrote two letters with my new stationary. One to Ed'Veeje and one my friend, Kathy.

Here is a little video I put together with poem and music. This is just like viewing YouTube videos. If it doesn't start in 30 seconds, there is something wrong on your end.