"We are in Florence"

We left Parma on Tuesday morning.

Parma

Parma is not a tourist city. It is a working city. We had a time change on Sunday. One of the problems with not being proficient in the language is you miss the news. Fortunately, I noticed that stores were still closed at 2:00 PM. After thinking that they must be wrong and I was right, I looked at my phone.

Italians, in general, are very proud of their cities. It is common in a conversation to be asked "how do you like". They smile when you tell them how much. The conversation becomes very animated and full of questions.

View from the balcony in Parma 

When we say are from California or Chicago, the remarks are often that they plan to visit some day.
Occasionally, you do met someone who is rude. But, remember, how often that happens in normal daily activities in the US? It is not that the person is Italian or French. It is that that person is rude to everyone, most likely, his mother.

We had the best waiter at the hotel in Parma, Giuseppe. He is smart and personable. He is the type of guy you enjoy being with. He was there for breakfast (7-10 AM), the bar (5-7-30PM) and then dinner (7:30-10PM). He was there all three days at the hotel.

Where the image of Italians as not hard working people came from - I do not know. But, it is not our experience.

Typical Regional Train

We have become experienced in the use of Italian trains. There are three types of trains - regional, Trenitalia and Italotreno. Think Metra, Amtrak and really, really fast. We take the Regional back to Bologna and by happenstance and some planning, we select Italotreno to Florence. The train reached speeds of 300 km or 186 mph. And, they have free Internet too.

We have met a great many really great people traveling Italy. On Tuesday, we met a great couple from Ireland.

I have noticed that Italians smoke a lot. You cannot smoke in buildings, but outside is legal. Remember Italian is the birth of "la fresca". I have noticed that the smoke does not seem to be an issue. Strange. I have, over the years, become sensitive to cigarette smoke and I do not smell the smoke. The smokers are discrete.

Smokers are young and old, men and women. Tobacco shops are common and are more like general stores. If you want a bus ticket, train ticket or cell phone, you look for "tabaccheria".

We arrived in Florence a little after 1 PM. We went to our "go to place" at train stations - MacDonald's. I know. I know. But, it works and I get to order in Italian (or, at least, my attempts).

Florence Hotel to Left

As always, Betty guides us to the hotel in short order. The hotel is in a great location. We are within a few blocks of Ponte Vecchio.

Since we will be in Florence for eight days, we got a chance to use a local Laundromat. Love "Speed Queen".

There is an actual tour in Florence based on Dan Brown's Inferno. I broke down this evening and purchased the book on ITunes.

Tomorrow, we start serious sightseeing. It is a beautiful city and the weather will be great for the next few days.