Saturday, October 13th, 2007

I woke early Saturday morning. It would be my last full day in Firenze. I was to meet Melinda Gallo, who lives in Florence. She is a blogger describing her daily life while living in Florence. She does an excellent job of describing the daily lives of Italians and what it is like to live in Italy, specifically, Florence.

Saturday was a clear and was going to be a beautiful day.

I met Melinda at 9:00 am as agreed in her Piazza. She pointed to her apartment on the top floor, with a terrace above it. We then walked along the Arno on our way to one of her favorite coffee shops, Caffè Giacosa. We talked and got to know each other. I had my first espresso then a cappuccino and pastry. We had a great conversation. Melinda wouldn't allow me to pay for it, which was difficult for me being a Texas gentleman.

I then took Melinda over to my hotel to show her the roof terrace view. She thought it was breath-taking too. She said she never tired of looking at Florence. I agreed. I could've sat there forever looking out over the city. There is poem by William Wordsworth which reminds of Florence:

Earth has not anything to show more fair:
Dull would he be of soul who could pass by
A sight so touching in its majesty:
This City now doth, like a garment wear
The beauty of the morning; silent, bare,
Ships, towers, domes, theaters, and temples lie
Open unto the fields, and to the sky;
All bright and glittering in the smokeless air.
Never did sun more beautifully steep
In his first splendor valley, rock, or hill;
Ne'er saw I, never felt, a calm so deep!
The river glideth at his own sweet will.
Dear God! the very houses seem asleep;
And all that mighty heart is lying still!

Melinda and I then parted company. She had some shopping to do as I did. She asked if I'd like to go to lunch, so we met back up at 1:00pm. She took me over to Oltrano district and we ate near the church Santa Spirito. The Osteria Santo Spirito had great food and we had a very good meal and great conversation. We then took coffee across from the Pitti Palace at Gola E Cantina and Wine Bar I believe, a few blocks away. The great thing about Florence is walking every where. I enjoyed that so much. We departed finally and I felt like I had another friend. She was a remarkable woman. She shared with me her and her boyfriend, Alessandro were getting married later this month. I was so happy for her. It was a great treat for me meeting her. I wish her and Alessandro all the best. I still read her blog about living in Florence, being married, and living a dream.