Complete all the steps necessary to get my new iPhone I bought last week in the states working in Italy! Had to go to the AT&T store in Denver and now the Iliad store in Florence to get the new eSIM cards installed. Not all the features are up and running yet, but maybe soon…

A stone’s throw away from the Basilica of Santa Croce (the magnificent bell tower of which you can see soaring at the end of the street) in Florence they are currently repaving an ancient street. Some places in the city are redone with cheaper, and faster, materials. But it is heartwarming to see the workmen using this ancient process. You can see how deep the stones are in the bunch piled up, ready to be used.

RIP. You are missed; life is a little less shiny without you in it. The world stopped turning for a second, that’s for sure.

I just made an unexpected trip back to the US from Italy and was quite surprised by the significant changes in security systems in American airports.

I flew from Florence to Paris and Paris to Denver, Colorado. The security systems in place in Florence were the usual. Electronics taken out of bags, shoes off, the usual. Then I flew back to Europe this way: Denver to Detroit, Detroit to Paris, Paris to Florence.

Passing through immigration on my way to Denver at Charles de Gaulle was quick and efficient, allowing me the chance to catch my flight to Denver on time.

Arriving in Denver, I noticed a change in customs there. It is much more personal; no booths but rather a podium behind which the agent stands and asks a few questions (did I bring plants, food or medicines into the country?).

But leaving Denver was when I saw the big changes in the security system. Now you encounter an agent immediately who takes a photo of you while you stand there and it is automatically referenced against your passport. You don’t stand in a long snaking line for 30 minutes +. You then proceed to an area where you load all your carry ons into bins and they are passed through a machine on a conveyor belt to see what’s inside. No need to remove any electronics from bags.

It was fast and easy.

Arrival in Detroit was fairly easy, fast, and efficient. I found my gate to Paris by tram inside the airport. Detroit’s airport is modern and efficient.

Arriving in Paris, I went through the security checks at Charles de Gaulle again and was very impressed by the high level of organization. Customs was quick and efficient.

Arriving finally in Florence, you travel back in time. Florence is a small airport with short runways. Then you get off the plane and climb on a bus that takes you to the terminal. There is never a customs check and it always takes an age for the bags to be delivered to the carousels. But both my suitcases showed up and I was delighted to be home!

It’s autumn in Tuscany and the porcini mushrooms and persimmons abound!

Look at the colors of these cherry tomatoes! Like precious stones!

Figs are still around.

Zucchini blossoms ready for frying filled with mozzarella!

Pears, pears, pears! I love the red wax seals on the top of the stems on the Decana pears.

The Sant’Ambrogio mercato never, never disappoints!

And not a moment too soon! My tank is empty.

It’s so much easier and much more civilized. No taking off of shoes or t as king out your electronics. Wow! I like!

My favorite language school has resumed classes this week and I’m very happy to be back.

You may have seen my earlier post about the palazzo in which my school is housed, in the Renaissance Palazzo Galli Tassi. On June 27 I first posted about it.

I learned 2 new verbs today,

and they are new additions to the Italian language as well. One is postare, which means “to post” and the other is zoomare, which I’m guessing you can deduce the meaning of! How funny they are.

Below, the marble statue group in the gorgeous old courtyard always catches my eye and my camera.

Back down in the courtyard, the 14th century capitals on the grand columns also caught my eye. The pins over them are pigeon deterrents.