Walking In Florence

I have never walked so much in my life before arriving in Florence. Coming from a society that only walks to their cars and that is to far, this was quite a shock. Walking is a means of transportation and is treated as thus, when you have to be somewhere you walk there, when you are just about the city you stroll, look in windows take in the sights and when your hands a full of groceries you maybe surprised at how quick you can get home. After having been in the city nearly a month now I fully understand what it means to walk and what it means to walk in Florence. Never before did I walk down a street and be keenly aware of each sound, is that a bike, a bus, a car or just someone in a hurry. Each day we all participate in this dance, going to school you may become engulfed in a tour group, you were just on your way to class but now you are determined to escape this sea of people. So much so that if you were walking with others you all stop talking and begin slip in and out of the group without hesitation, only to reassemble and continue on your way.

There is a freedom that comes with the ability to drive and it is something those of who drive know but I have learned over this last month is there is also a freedom in going for a walk. Maybe its because I don't enjoy driving like most that have become so fond of my walks but they simply make me happy. I know no where else where I can get lost then find my way to a monument or piazza get lost again and again find a monument or piazza and make it home. These walks take me to new places, some familiar ones and from time to time I see familiar faces too. Each walk is different but when I am just out for a walk I still find it difficult to believe I am here. It was only a month ago that I was walking to my car and now I routinely walk to Piazza della Signoria.