Florence & the Fog: A Sketchbook of Sorts
okay, so florence. it’s…a lot. i’m an *illustrator, and i usually thrive in chaos, but this city is a different breed. i arrived a few days ago, and honestly, i’m still trying to figure out if i’m charmed or completely overwhelmed.
first off, the weather. i just looked outside and it’s…a damp hug right now, if you’re into that sort of thing. it’s hovering around twelve degrees, but feels colder, like eleven, maybe? the humidity is insane - eighty-nine percent. you can practically taste the moisture. apparently, the pressure is high, which someone told me means it’s going to stay like this for a bit. great.
my little airbnb is tucked away near the oltrarno, which is cool, but also…loud. the neighbors aren’t exactly quiet. if you need a break from the city, siena and pisa are just a quick train ride away. i’ve been sketching the ponte vecchio every morning, trying to capture the light (or lack thereof) on the arno river. it’s proving difficult.
someone at the little trattoria down the street warned me about the pickpockets around the duomo. apparently, they’re pros. keep your bag zipped, apparently.
food-wise, it’s…intense. i had a lampredotto sandwich yesterday. i’m still processing it. it wasn’t bad, exactly, just…an experience. i’ve been relying heavily on gelato to balance things out. i found a place near the piazza della signoria that does pistachio like i’ve never tasted before. seriously. Check out some reviews on Yelp.
i overheard some tourists complaining about the crowds at the uffizi gallery. apparently, you need to book tickets weeks in advance. someone else said the secret is to go right before closing. i haven’t tried that yet, but i might. i’m also thinking of taking a cooking class. This TripAdvisor link looks promising.
my sketchbook is filling up, but i feel like i’m barely scratching the surface. it’s a city that demands to be felt*, not just seen. it’s exhausting and exhilarating all at once. i’m starting to understand why artists have been flocking here for centuries. it’s a beautiful mess.
i’ve been trying to find some good art supply stores, too. This local forum has some recommendations. and honestly, i’m already planning my next trip back. maybe in the spring. or fall. definitely not in the middle of a damp hug. Here's a guide to Florence.
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