Revolving Door for Orphans in Florence

The revolving gate has been removed but there was a door, of sorts, which allowed a precious being to be anonymously given to the nuns operating the Hospital of The Innocents. These babies, born to families too poor to care for them or to prostitutes, were given a home in this beautiful building.

Orphanages are not unusual but the quality of construction in this one is special because  Brunelleschi, who designed the Dome for the Duomo in Florence, was the architect in charge of this building. Even more unexpectedly, the halls of the safe haven for orphans were decorated with some of the most beautiful Renaissance art.

A Mark left with baby for future identification.

Forget Travel Insurance

Phoebe has not felt well since the beginning of this trip. This morning our host insisted on taking her to the public clinic at the Red Cross located right up the street from our apartment.

The Bottom Line

The Boboli Gardens provide a respite from the frenetic pace of the city.

As always, being the tightwad traveler that I am, I will share the information about my expenses with you for this extravaganza in Florence, Italy. Since I'm packed and ready to roll tomorrow, it's time for that final accounting.

Leaving My Roommates Behind

I'm not ready to leave Florence yet, but I am quite prepared to say goodbye to my roommates. Yes, I know what you're thinking. It's true that my name is the only name on the lease, but here in Florence, as in any large Italian city, no one is ever truly living alone.

My Feast on St John the Baptist Feast Day

This feast day, similar to the saint day held in each Mexican city, is only celebrated in Florence. Banks and schools were closed so there were no classes at the British Institute. Tonight, fireworks will mark this special day for St. John the Baptist.

From my perspective, it was a great day to rest, try to absorb the world-changing news of the Brexit passage, and finally eat a delicious lunch of porchetta. If you're unfamiliar with this Tuscan bit of culinary ingenuity, here's a New York Times article that will explain it.

Handbag Heaven

A good friend requested photos of the new handbag I bought in the leather market, the Loggia del Mercato Nuovo, so here it is!

I've been told, and hope it's true, that handbag hardware is a good indicator of quality. The hardware on this bag looked particularly sturdy.

Don't forget to bargain. While credit cards are accepted here, you will get a lower price for cash. The price of my bag dropped €13 because I paid cash. Had I been a bit more aggressive, as I would have been in Mexico, I'm sure the price would have dropped even more.

In the Cucina

In Tavola cooking school divided us into groups of five per kitchen station while two chefs instructed and monitored our progress--or lack thereof. My group consisted of a Brit, an Australian, and a mother and daughter from Minnesota. Here we are using the pasta machine to compress and stretch the dough we made by hand.

I Wanted to Be Cinderella

What I call the Cinderella Complex sometimes overcomes my better judgment. When the Complex strikes, I am certain the miraculous will triumph over the inevitable.

Such was the case when I decided to have the full Italian experience and get my hair cut. My lank, blonde hair that held a curl in Tucson, Arizona, where the humidity is 10% didn't stand a chance in Florence, Italy, where it threatens to rain at any moment. I set off last Friday with limp hair on my head and hope in my heart.

Living Like a Local

A restaurant near my apartment.

I have wanted to live in Europe for as long as I can remember, so on this five-week trip, it was important to find a place that would make me feel as though I belonged. I wanted to slip into the shoes of a Florentine and shuffle around in them. I wanted to know what day-to-day life is like for someone who is not a guest, for someone who has to do laundry and take out the garbage just like everyone else who lives in this fascinating city. And, of course, being a tightwad, the place had to be inexpensive.

I'M FAMOUS....maybe

I came so close. I've been waiting to be discovered all my life, but so far fame seems to be passing me by. Until today.

Italy, Spain and (maybe) Morocco on $85 a Day

Duomo in Florence, Italy

I've been sitting here adding numbers and shaking my head in disbelief. Surely I must be wrong. Math and I have never gotten along very well, despite my best efforts at conviviality, so perhaps I simply miscalculated.

But no. I've checked five times now, and I'm confident I'm correct. The numbers are accurate. As astonishing as it sounds, some people are evidently willing to pay two, three, or even five times the amount David and I pay for a vacation.