The Chinese are coming! The Chinese are coming!

Actually, they are already here (and everywhere else)!    You have to be careful in Florence if you don’t want to get swept up in an avalanche on Chinese tourists as you walk through any major area.  I long for winter, when the hoards are gone.

 

I am so fortunate to live on a fabulous medieval street that is little changed from its beginnings.  In many parts of Florence, old buildings have made way for new ones in many areas.  On my street, the fabric of the city is pretty much the same as when Michelangelo walked these streets.

And so, my street is often discussed by tour guides.  Last week, as I left home for school in the morning, this group of Chinese tourists assembled at the opening of my street and for a moment, it felt like I was a fish in a fishbowl and they were looking at me.  It was a strange feeling, but it passed.

 

 

But, I do know how Florence feels, being looked at all of the time!