Night-train to Firenze

A couchette on the night train direct to Florence was not as restful as I'd hoped. The 6-bed berth was full, three beds taken by 3 generations of a Vietnamese family. A girl around my age was taking her mum and daughter on a trip to Rome for a few days. She must have been a travel agent of some kind because she was keen to give me her email so that when I visit Vietnam, she can organise all the hotels and travelling. Thought her toddler was cute, she was lively and it became clear that a restful repose was not to be had at once. As well as this was the fear that I would sleep past my destination and end up in somewhere just as cool, but not intended.

But arrive in Florence I did, and might I say, gladly so! My friend Rachel has a beautiful apartment on Borgi Allegri street, close to one of the busiest, most beautiful town squares. She's also a superb chef and wine agent, the latter being proven by the triple-size balloons of delightful Rosso Italiano we imbibed. I'm seriously thinking about forgoing a few other countries to stay in Italy a bit - I know, they all [guidebooks, travellers, friends] said that would happen, but now I can see why. I went to the local markets to get something for tonight's dinner; as what not the case in Paris, everyone I dealt with happily spoke clearly and simply as I grappled with the vowels and inflections, and were most helpful when I made my selections. Honest warm and friendly, if the rest of Italy comes close, I'll be more than happy.

I could wander the streets here forever. Now a square; now a deserted wee cobbled via with leaning stone buildings and tiny dark but plush trattoria; happen upon a corner and the volume trebles, as throngs of tourist groups gaggle by and snap away, then under a small stone arch... and silence once again... save for the eerie drone of some kind of hum - then zoom! zoo-zoo-zoom! as a horde of vespas scoot by... then silence as I duck into another cobbled alley and hear only the distant calls of locals and the peal of bells from the many exquisite churches. It's truly an ancient and modern city, with a respect for fine food and delightful wine.

Hmmm, speaking of which...