We arrived at the train station on Tuesday afternoon, and waiting for us was the first familiar face we have seen in a month, Raika!! (Michka's sister)
Of course, we did not have a place to stay, we are Gypsies.
Raika agreed to host us until we found a place. Unlucky for us there was a big bike race (UCI road world championships) going on right smack in the middle of the town. This sleepy town of 370,000 residents added more than 200,000 spectators, peddlers, riders, crew, tourists and beggars just for the week of the race. The prospect of finding a short-term rental was looking pretty bleak.
The first week was rough. 4 people, one cat, all crammed in one small apartment. Raika was gracious enough to give us her room and bed so we could have a place to sleep.
Despite all the cramming and chaos (and cat hair) the city is beautiful! We had a couple really nice and hot days, and we were able to tour the city to see the Duomo, Ponte Vecchio and various other sites.
The food has been unbelievable. So far its the best we have had anywhere.
The fresh-made pasta, the cheese, and fresh produce all make you want to live in a restaurant.
Our first week here we were able to go to "Sagra del Tartufo" which translates to truffle festival! Yum!
Hoards of people lined up outside white tents, waiting for their number to be called. We got in line right behind everyone and waited our turn. First things first, you fill out a sheet that tells the staff what you want to eat. You pay for the food, then you wait in another line to be seated. Once seated (cafeteria style dining) you give your sheet to one of the many volunteers who are helping with this festival and you wait. We ordered a few things to share and try. Tagliatelle with truffles, ravioli with truffles, pizza with truffles, and the best one..2 sunny side up eggs with shaved truffles! Can you say food heaven? We could not believe how incredible each and every item was. This was one of the coolest experiences so far!
Our first week here we were able to go to "Sagra del Tartufo" which translates to truffle festival! Yum!
Hoards of people lined up outside white tents, waiting for their number to be called. We got in line right behind everyone and waited our turn. First things first, you fill out a sheet that tells the staff what you want to eat. You pay for the food, then you wait in another line to be seated. Once seated (cafeteria style dining) you give your sheet to one of the many volunteers who are helping with this festival and you wait. We ordered a few things to share and try. Tagliatelle with truffles, ravioli with truffles, pizza with truffles, and the best one..2 sunny side up eggs with shaved truffles! Can you say food heaven? We could not believe how incredible each and every item was. This was one of the coolest experiences so far!
Raika's place is located in Piazza Santo Spirito, with windows facing the Piazza. A hip and popular piazza with a fountain surrounded by a ton of great restaurants, trendy bars and cool cafes. Every morning when we woke up, the scent of fresh-made gnocchi, slow-simmered ragu and freshly sautéed mushrooms wafted into our windows. We have been eating well here. Using Raika's past trial-and-error experience as our guide, we've quickly found our favorite spots, and they are delicious.
The restaurant industry is so different here! You get charged 2 euros a person for getting table service, on top of that you have to buy a bottle of water if you want any. They do not offer tap water. So right off the bat you have 6 euros on your tab ($8.50). Despite this quirk, this has not stopped us from dining out almost every night and enjoying the local food. Sometimes you just have to take one for the team.
And don't get me started on the gelato! Just thinking about it makes me want to run out and get one. A cone topped with 2-3 delicious, rich flavors. Cioccolato, nocciola, fragola, biscottino, caffe, are some of the insane gelato flavors we have been trying. Gelato here is like the baguette in France, you just can't help but buy one (or two) every single day.
We will be staying here in Florence for the next month and are hoping to visit a few other places in Italy and neighboring countries!
Stay tuned!
Ciao!
And don't get me started on the gelato! Just thinking about it makes me want to run out and get one. A cone topped with 2-3 delicious, rich flavors. Cioccolato, nocciola, fragola, biscottino, caffe, are some of the insane gelato flavors we have been trying. Gelato here is like the baguette in France, you just can't help but buy one (or two) every single day.
We will be staying here in Florence for the next month and are hoping to visit a few other places in Italy and neighboring countries!
Stay tuned!
Ciao!
Ponte Vecchio
Pippi, our favorite roommate!
Truffle festival!
Duomo cathedral
Santa Maria Novella
Sister love
