When I woke up this morning, I felt a twinge of excitement bubble up inside of me as I listened to the water flowing softly in the Arno. The moment I opened the windows of my apartment, I admired the warm colors glowing across the fiume (river) and inhaled the scent of my beloved city. I wanted to walk around one of the Florentine giardini (gardens), but already had plans to go to the stadio (stadium) to see the Fiorentina play. The last time I went to the stadio was in January.
I have only been away for two weeks and yet Florence has dramatically changed in that time. When I left, it was still cold and rainy, the streets were virtually empty, and the city was still in its winter slumber. As my taxi drove me through the centro (center) this evening, I was surprised by the crowds of people, the warm air, the bright sun, and the sweet smell of spring. As soon as I got home, I dropped my bags, and I went out for a walk around my beloved city.
This morning, like every morning since I returned to Florence, I walked to Vivoli where I have colazione (breakfast). I not only go for the caffè (coffee) and paste (pastries), but also for the women who work there. Over the years, we have become quite friendly. Every time I return to Florence, I go there so I can catch up with them while I enjoy a good caffè.
It has been a long winter for me. Only now that I have returned to Florence do I feel as if spring is not that far away. In Paris, it snowed just a few days after the first sunny Saturday afternoon. I thought that one day marked the beginning of spring, but it was not. I was pleased to arrive in Florence to see the sun shining overhead and flower buds on trees. I am once again hopeful that spring is finally on its way.
My trip to Florence last week was so brief that I didn’t find the time to write about it. I arrived last Monday evening to the clear blue skies of Florence and returned to a snowy Paris on Saturday. I spent all my free time soaking up my beloved city and catching up with my friends. It’s only now that I realize how vital my trips to Florence are for me. The time I spend there is both intense and relaxing.
Living in two cities is like living two lives. I have two lifestyles that include two homes, two sets of friends, two works schedules, two diets, two languages, and two cultures. It’s a lot to juggle for me, but when I am in one place, I try to be fully present. Now that I am in Paris, I am at peace with my home here. I haven’t forgotten my beloved city, Florence. It is always in the back of my mind, but I don’t dwell on its absence in my life.
I’ve already returned from Florence to Paris since Sunday. I went home last Friday and brought my beau with me. Over the weekend, I showed off my beloved city and took in its splendor. I enjoyed walking the streets and visiting a few special spots. I was over the moon to share my beloved city with my beau. We ate at a couple of my favorite restaurants, visited the Uffizi, and went to a soccer match to watch the Fiorentina play.
After flying over snow-capped mountains just north of Tuscany, we landed in Florence this afternoon where the skies were clear and the sun was shining high above. The second I got off the plane, I took in a deep breath and felt my body relax a little bit. It was a joy to sense the warm air brush against my face. I’m finally home, I thought to myself.
A strange thing happens when I’m a few days from my return to Florence: I suddenly begin inserting Italian words into my vocabulary and my beloved city begins to surface more in my mind. It’s almost as if my brain is preparing itself for the switch. Tomorrow I’m returning to Florence after a six-week stay in France. While I’ve been in France, I haven’t longed much for my beloved city, but I admit that I have missed it dearly.