[Streetlamp, Florence]

I had no idea how much I’d miss it. Everyone was right : and suddenly home feels so surreal, and I find myself closing my eyes and pretending…

How lovely. Three months ago I was crying for home. Now I’m crying to stay….Oh, Forlì, I will miss you so.

[With Dante]

(Sadly, Boccaccio was surrounded by construction so I couldn’t make an appearance with him.)

[Ele with the redhead, Buone Feste 2009]

The goodbyes have begun.

I’m in love.

: buying mulled wine at the Christmas fair, then drinking it on the steps of Santa Croce

: kneeling in front of Beatrice’s tomb (to take a photo) and realizing it was, indeed, a religious experience

: turning the corner of Via dello Studio and seeing the Duomo looming like a satellite

: walking through the Casa di Dante and overhearing all the Italians ask each other questions when I knew the answers

: Cioccolato al peperoncino gelato

: “Hey darling, hey beautiful, special price for you!”

: the Italian dinner, full of pecorino and honey and conjugating verbs correctly

: the train ride there, at 7am

: Santa Maria Novella….sigh ♥

[The redhead at Santa Maria Novella]

Firenze is even more than I’d hoped, lovelier than I’d dreamed, so much more stunning that I ever imagined it could be. I really don’t have the words…