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"My Relationship With Fi ..." a Florence Travel Page by ForestqueenNYC

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"My Relationship With Fi ..." a Florence Travel Page by ForestqueenNYC
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ForestqueenNYC   
Don't let being a woman alone keep you from your adventure.


Real Name: Francesca
Lives In: New York City, US
Member Since: Feb 01, 2005
VT Rank: 535

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Page Views: 1,613            Last Visit to Florence: May, 2006      I Used To Live Here

My Relationship With Firenze

by ForestqueenNYC - last update: Nov 5, 2007

Like A Bad Marriage

Francesca & Clare, Piazza Signoria 1993
FROM ORIGINAL POSTING. SEE UPDATE FROM MAY AND JUNE 2006 BELOW

I lived in Florence for two years,1992-1994. Although the city made me crazy, because I didn't find it to be a polite city, it is addictive and I wish I were still there. However, I know that if I were to go back to live, I would once again be pulling my hair out.

My relationship with this city is like a bad marriage. I love it dearly, but we don't get along. We fight all the time, I leave, I miss it desperately, I deceive myself into believing that everything will be better the next time. So, I go back again, and we start all over, fighting, anger, leaving. Maybe, next time, I'll try Bologna.

The food is good though.

As you can see, I was quite a bit younger in the photo taken in 1994. I had blond hair then. And of course fewer wrinkles. In fact in spite of the delicious food, I was also quite thin. Never have I walked so much and I think that is what helped keep the weight off.

My restaurant tips are based on my time there as a resident and not as a tourist. I did return a couple of years ago and those restaurants were still in business and still excellent.

I will write later, after I sort through photos. Not sure I have many because I didn't want to be identified as a tourist at that time. I was trying to be so Italian.
In Front of the Golden Doors 1991

My First Time In Florence

This was my first trip to Florence in around 1991. I am with one of my dearest friends who is a Roman. I believe once you make a friend with an Italian, which is not necessarily the easiest thing to do, you will be friends forever. I have two Italian friends and we have kept in touch for 15 and 12 years with regular phone calls, visits, and emails (used to be letters).

As most of you know these doors are replicas.

Florence May 2006

Well I am back in Florence until June. My son will marry here so I decided to come for a month from Paris rather than return to the US.

I must say that I am having a completely different reaction. Even though the tourist groups are worse than ever, they dont seem to bother me as much and I am actually finding that many of the Florentines are friendly. Maybe aging 14 years has mellowed me.

BECAUSE I DO NOT HAVE ACCESS TO MY ADOBE PHOTOSHOP, I HAVE HAD TO USE ANOTHER VERY POOR SUBSTITUTE PROGRAM SO SOME TIP PICTURES ARE CORRECTED VERY BADLY. PLEASE TRY TO OVERLOOK THIS.

Reading List:

The Agony and the Ecstasy by Irving Stone

Medici Money by Tim Parks

> Add to your Custom Travel Guide [What's This?]

Pros:"A beautiful city, great art, great food, great escape."
Cons:"Tour groups drive you absolutely mad."
In A Nutshell:"A fabulous city that unfortunately has to live off of tourists which makes it an unpleasant place to be."
ForestqueenNYC's Florence Travel Tips

OverviewThings to Do
Tips: 10 - Photos: 36
 
Restaurants
Tips: 22 - Photos: 56
Hotels & Accommodations
Tips: 5 - Photos: 7
 
Nightlife
Tips: 2 - Photos: 7
Off The Beaten Path
 
Tourist Traps
Tips: 1
Warnings Or Dangers
Tips: 3 - Photos: 3
 
Transportation
Tips: 5 - Photos: 2
Local Customs
Tips: 1 - Photos: 4
 
Packing ListsShopping
Tips: 8 - Photos: 22
 
Sports TravelGeneral Tips
Tips: 4

ForestqueenNYC's Florence Travelogues
Title [Click to view]Travel YearPictures
New Years In Florence 2005-2006December, 2005 4
The Tourists Are Coming, The Tourists Are Coming.June, 2006 4
SunsetsJune, 2006 5
Streets of FlorenceJune, 2006 7

Comments for ForestqueenNYC about Florence
Maurizioago Sat Jan 26, 2008 17:54 UTC
 I hope to visit Florence at Easter's. Ciao!
alexisa Thu Jul 19, 2007 21:47 UTC
 thanks I love reading and I am going next year to see the David, and I would like to know why do you reccomend that book. I will get it as soon as possible.
Nemorino Thu Jul 19, 2007 11:03 UTC
 Great that your son got married in the Palazzo Vecchio. No wonder your feelings about Florence have changed for the better. I haven't been back there for years, must really go again sometime.
WheninRome Sun Jul 8, 2007 18:32 UTC
 Thanks for the comment. I remember checking out your DC page, among many others, before traveling. Since it was a work trip though I didn't have time to do everything I wanted. Nice Florence page also! My wife and I are going next year.
See More Comments

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