I Miss "Ciao Bella"

First, if you haven't purchased a cheap Christmas gift for yourself, may I recommend an enticing read: my thesis. Purchased easily for download from Lulu.com (the link will take you straight there). All $3 of my profit goes to my Return to Italy fund. Now for the good stuff....

Today I chatted with Danny online--my human connection to 'la terra della mia vita'. This is a rare pleasure for me, thanks to my booked schedule these last few weeks before graduation, and the six hour time difference. It was 7:30 p.m. here, 1:30 a.m. there. The conversation was brief, but bright. My impending graduation, his recent move to the heart of Florence (a mere 5 minutes from our meeting place of SMN--that would be Piazza Santa Maria Novella), his love for snow, my search for employment. 

And then he says he needs to go to bed (exam to study for in the morning). "Ciao bella!" he writes. 

The wave of crushing longing that had been held back fairly securely was released.

Golden sunlight making the unremarkable Arno River turn dazzling. 

The cool marble counters and polished brass fixtures inside the espresso bar at Piazza della Repubblica. 

Pizzeria Dante, with the to-die-for quattro stagioni pizza and delicious all-you-can-drink table wine.

The David positioned at the end of the Accademia gallery under a glass dome, Michelangelo's masterpiece. 

The smell of the leather market by San Lorenzo, still open in the pouring rain. The vendors shouting and haggling with customers, and adjusting their tarps to keep the goods dry. 

Gelato at La Carraia, enjoyed with friends on the ponte watching the sunset gloriously and the lights on the Ponte Vecchio flicker on. Every night a different show.

Piazza Santa Maria Novella. The number of times I waited there, excited beyond measure. The random evening photo shoot with friends. I crossed the piazza on the way to catch my weekend trains. I watched a street musician give an impromptu concert on the lawn. Saw lovers young and old holding hands, chatting and laughing. So much happiness there. 

So in the words of my Facebook status from long ago: 

"Per cui avete fame? Viaggio? Arte? Amore? Alimenti la tua anima. Sia felice."

What are you hungry for? Travel? Art? Love? Feed your soul. Be happy.

I'm hungry for Florence. Too bad my local grocery doesn't have Italy Shake-n-Bake available. 

Florence has bewitched me. I will never be the same again.