Arezzo Antique Market

The Arezzo Antique Market is on every 1st weekend of the month. It is very, very big! If you have ever been to the Vintage Markets in Paris, this one puts them to shame. The difference is that you see the beautiful churches and architecture as you view the wonderful antiques and walk up towards the highest point of the town of Arezzo.

October 1st in Florence

We have made it to October and been in Italy for 78 days now and only have 9 days left before we head off to London for 3 days then back to Brisbane, Australia on October 15.

It has been a fantastic experience to immerse ourselves in Florence (Firenze) and to "live" here for 3 months (of course it is different we did not have to go to work everyday). We have a wonderful apartment and would definitely stay here again, although moving to Florence is still an option. We met many people that are original Florentines' and many people who have moved here from all over the world.

The Tuscan lifestyle is very different to what we were used to, for instance many stores close between 12:30 - 17:00 and re-open until about 19:00. Yes you need to familiarise yourself with the 24 hour clock, quite often when someone invites you to dinner they will say "come at 20", there are however, the ones who have been around english speakers that have become accustomed to saying "come at 8", but they don't use AM or PM. All public transport is in 24 hour.

When we first arrived here in Florence there was a little culture shock (especially when we had to do our first grocery shop without our landlady). For instance when you buy fruit and vegetables at the supermarket you get a bag and a glove (don't pick up with your hand) pick up the fruit or vegetable put it in the bag and remember the number in the corner of the sign, then find the electronic scale. You then put your bag on the scale and press the screen for fruit or vegetable (make sure you remember that number from the sign above your item) then press the number, the scale will then give you a sticker with the price on it that you stick on the bag. The check out assistance do not do the weighing and calculating here, they just swipe items. They do not bag either, you ask for how many bags you would like and pay for them and bag you own items. If you plan on staying for a while I suggest purchasing the canvas shopping bags, it will save you money. Things definitely work differently here in Florence.

In saying all that, we have enjoyed and learned many things about living in a different country. Although we have not had the normal daily routines of work, school and paying taxes in Florence, we have been told by locals who have moved from the USA, UK, China, Australia and many other countries that it is possible to live here if you work at it. (like anything, I suppose).

Fall wedding fashion in Florence

In my exploration of different streets in Florence I came across a beautiful wedding dress store. The fashions here are fabulous. They have little fur shawls and long flowing coats for weddings in fall and winter.
I tried to take some close up photo's to show you the detailed work.

Some (non-catholic) religious sights in Florence

I have discovered that you really must go down the streets you cross everyday when you head to the centre of Florence (don't forget your map). I headed towards the centre yesterday for some last photographs before we go back to Australia. Instead of going down the street I normally take for the Duomo, I noticed the Chiesa Russa (Russian Orthodox Church)tiled turrets sticking up above the other buildings in the area we are staying. I have passed this sight 100 times and never walked down the road to have a closer look at the chiesa. Yesterday, I did. I went with my camera in my hand ready to take photo's. You can see the turrets from the main road then as you head down you cannot see it anymore until you come to the street the chiesa is on and then you turn and there it is a beautiful building with colourful tiles and gold leaf. It was closed to the public on Wednesdays of course (many buildings and sights in Florence do this). But I could take photo's of it from outside the 3 metre fence (even if I capture a few cars as well).

Iain thought the chiesa was pretty impressive also. He read the information sheet (or tried too, the English part had been torn off). I try to photograph the information sheets that are posted up around important art and architecture, so even if it is in another language I can have it translated.


After viewing the chiesa, we went further down the street to find modern buildings with graffiti on them (paid for graffiti), it looked a little out of place, but still interesting.


Further down the street we came upon Piazza della Liberta


After almost reaching the centre we found ourselves on the street where the only Jewish synagogue is situated in Florence. It has wonderful domes made of brass that over time has turned a wonderful green colour.

There are many different religious sights in Florence, with talks of a new Muslim Mosque being built (5000 muslims congregated at the Fortezza da Basso recently for collective prayer).

EUROCHOCOLATE...for lovers of chocolate!

Here is an event that I will sadly miss. It is in Perugia, Italy. Check out the link for event dates and times and information. Looks delicious! Eurochocolate