The First Snow of the Season!

I had a childlike enthusiasm this morning as soon as I opened the shutters that shelter my window and saw the first snow of the season. It was 2 degrees Celsius today. Yes, as much as I hate to admit it I have learned to understand the temperature in Celsius without any ridiculous math calculations. Let’s just say 2 degrees is very cold, so the snow did not melt when the sun came out. I put on my plastic boots, grabbed my camera, and was off for what turned out to be a 7 hour walk across the city (la città).

Grammar school and university students are on winter break now, so they were out in full force scrapping snow off of cars to throw snowballs at their friends. Their enthusiasm was infectious and I couldn’t get the smile off my face watching it.  The whole city was alive with Florentines enjoying the reclaimation of their city center since the tourist season officially ended in November.

I thought I'd start taking picutures at the park near my house, but the park gates were locked, so I just took some shots at the entrance.

My next destination wasn’t really a destination at all, but a walk to get from one side of the city to the other. I included some pictures below of things that caught my eye on my walk from the park by my apartment to the Piazzale Michelangelo which is about a 40 minute walk from one side of the city to the other (if you walk directly and fast).

Piazzale Michelangelo is on the opposite side of the Arno River and has a fantastic view of Florence, the bridges over the Arno River, and the Tuscan Hills that shelter Florence.

After Piazzale Michelangelo, I headed to the German Christmas Market that has been set up temporarily at the Piazza Santa Croce and bought myself a Nutella crepe and a pair of shearling slippers. Yes, I am now officially 80 years old and sporting shearling slippers, but I don't care. My feet are ALWAYS cold on these tile floors and now my feet will be toasty warm!

After the Santa Croce market, I bought some turtle neck sweaters at the San Lorenzo market (they have the best quality stuff and the best prices around) and then headed to this great pizza place I've been wanting to try out for a while. I parked myself down, ordered a caprese pizza, and drank a wonderful glass of red wine while I waited for the cold sun to set. I wanted to make sure I was able to get some pictures of the street lights that have been put up in the City Center. My favorite street has a blanket of lights for several blocks. It's an absolute pleasure to walk up and down this street at night. I'll be a little sad when the holidays are over and they take down these amazing lights.

On Christmas Eve I will walk to the Piazza della Repubblica to hear an old fashioned Christmas Carol concert, and later that night I will attend a concert put on by the Harlem Gospel Choir, from New York City.

Christmas morning I will attend Christmas mass held at the Duomo (the Cathedral). Although I’m more spiritual than religious, I think this will be a special way to spend Christmas morning.

New Year’s Eve in Florence is supposed to be packed with activities the entire city can enjoy. A huge fireworks display is scheduled for over the Arno River and it looks like I will be with friends that evening, so I’m excited for the next few weeks ahead.

Buon Natale everyone!