I adore the liveliness of the Italian scene. There is never a dull moment on the streets.

One of my favorite things in Florence is that there is a free outdoor space set aside for artists to work in chalk. These 3 demarcated spaces are often being used by astounding artists. I marvel!

I’m often caught up with the site of a parent walking with their mini me. This girl and her mother will one day be twinning!

But I like watching other people too. Sometimes I am just so moved by something I see, I can barely get my phone out in time to capture it!

And the music! The singers, the musicians! Incredibile! And what you don’t know is that these 2 locations are superb. The one above is next to the cathedral (il duomo) and this rendition of Hallelujah by Leonard Cohen is being played on the most beautiful bridge in Florence, the Ponte Santa Trinita. Combine spontaneous music with a world-class location and you achieve nirvana. Imho. Well, let’s be honest, my opinion isn’t truly humble. :-))

Or, how about a medieval tower that has been transformed into modern living?

And, then one day, I’m walking down a major thoroughfare in the historic center of Florence and I hear out an open window a vocalist practicing. I absolutely have to stop to listen. This is what dreams are made of.

The usual scene around the famous statue of the wild boar near the Loggia del Mercato Nuovo. Legend has it if you rub the nose, you’ll have good luck and maybe be lucky enough to return to Florence. It is always surrounded by people waiting to have their chance.

Nothing beats starting the day ay my local bar with an excellent cappuccino. The kind Starbucks can only dream of.

And finally, you know it is spring, because here come the flowers!

And I’ll end this post with a little philosophy. At least a nod to. See the caffe pictured below, promising a cafe, rum and philosophy? It offers some fleeting information about what goes on under this historic arch in which it is housed.