You really can’t be a true Florentine if you don’t try some of the earthy foods they like here. That includes offal, such as lampredotto and trippa. I have not eaten either one, so I can never be Florentine.

But, I did go to a Florentine restaurant that specializes in these foods and I sat at a table with friends who DO like offal.

For any one of my readers who wants to try these foods, here’s the restaurant we went to in the Oltrarno.

The 2 dishes above are at the top: ravioli made with lampredotto. The bottom dish is trippa.

Girl! how dare you?!!

Well, not ordinary. Because there is no such thing in this storied city.

There are many displays of power and prayers for forgiveness on this particular corner.

A poster I saw on the streets of Florence. This city is alive with all kinds of messaging. You only have to look.

Translated into English it says: Your fragility makes you human. Don’t ever change.

First up, in Piazza della Repubblica, the facade of the Rinascente department store. Always elaborate. I was a bit disappointed with this year’s offering. What do you think?

In the center of the Piazza sits this colorful Christmas tree.

But the tree near the duomo is always my favorite.

The presepe at the duomo is made with full size clay statues. Note that the baby Jesus is never added until midnight on the 24th/25th.

I’m not convinced I like the sound these bag pipes make although I know they are the traditional sounds of old Italy.

And last but certainly not least is the Via Tournabuoni. No where else in the city is more elaborately decorated than this avenue.