The Sound of Music... Firenze Remix

Buona sera,

ATTENZIONE!  In almost two weeks, I will be a half-zombie stepping off a Luftansa flight... in NEW YORK.  This warms my heart and crushes it all at once.  This place... this place.  This place.  Florence.  It is my home, and I've found myself developing intense and even stronger feelings for it as I tiptoe closer to the finish.  But listen, on the other side of the Atlantic there is my absolutely adorable Davanzo family who I haven't been able to squeeze in four entire months!  OOOOOH MAN I can't wait to see them.

The rain has left the city for such a long time that my umbrella is collecting dust!  The sun has been chilling up there until 8 p.m. each day, keeping Florence consistently at 70-something degrees!!!  The Boboli Gardens call my name on the daily...

Why I love Giardini di Boboli:

• The air smells of baby's breath
• GRASS EVERYWHERE-- something that is scarce in the city!
• The wildflowers are vibrant and look beautiful together in mini bouquets  
• It's the ideal place to lounge (or sleep) on a towel and listen to Third Eye Blind
• Antico's sandwiches taste even better when eaten near a pond
• The tunnels of trees are visual wonders of the earth 

During an outdoor homework session one night, Alex and I heard commotion from below the terrace... we originally thought that there was just a laundry room down there.  As it turns out, there's another apartment, with 10 (Italian) college guys living in it-- and they like attention.  Five of them spent about 20 minutes putting away dishes as loudly as possible and then one sat-- casually-- on their windowsill and serenaded anyone who would be lucky enough to catch his accented renditions of "Ho Hey" and "Hotel California"... I'd say we were pretty lucky that night.

Eventually they introduced themselves and sat outside to play us a private concert!  It was silly and reminded me so much of summer and Chris' voice echoing through the house.

        
With great weather comes great music... flutes, guitars, cellos, and (naturally) accordions have been taking over the city and I am loving it!  I crossed the Arno with Margo for a La Carraia two-scoop cup on Monday night-- typical-- and on our walk home we caught a street performance in between Piazza Repubblica and Piazza del Duomo!  

These guys are probably my favorite musicians in Florence.  I usually stop by Piazza Repubblica on my way home from school to check if they're there-- and usually they are, strumming and plucking their talented little hearts out.  Don't ask me how, but I recently learned their names!  Sandu Sandokan plays the bass, Vasilica Stingaciu the violin, and Ionut Breazu the rhythm guitar.  Together, they hilariously and humbly make up the band, "Romdraculas." 

The crowd was really feeling their performance that night-- people (young and old) were clapping and screaming even before the songs ended.  Unfortunately, there were two who weren't digging it as much...

The police broke up the party, but that didn't stop Margo and I from achieving ultimate groupie-status by throwing spare coins into their instrument cases and asking for a picture.  They had such good personalities-- Vasilica seemed to be captivated by Margo's beauty... he caught her eye and then his breath, grabbed her face, and smooshed his mouth into her cheek.  She was so taken off guard-- we cracked up the whole way back to Gino Capponi.  Something else crossed off the Florence Bucket List!

Star struck... Ionut, Sandu, and Vasilica!

Aperitivos and music clubs often incorporate live music to draw customers (like me) in!  

What is aperitivo?  
In literal terms, aperitivo means pre-meal drink.  In the past, Italians would only order a cocktail or glass of wine, but now aperitivo has turned into a traditional meal of finger foods (commonly between 6 p.m. - 9 p.m.) that gives Italians a chance to socialize and relax with snacks before dinner... although in most cases, people are too full to eat anything else!  Two of my favorite places in Florence for aperitivo are both 9€:

• Kitch: Via S. Gallo, 22... "Hipster" vibe, records hanging off of the walls, leopard print chairs, and an assortment of tortellini, bruschetta, pizzas, and grilled vegetables! 
• Chiaroscuro: Via del Corso, 36... Located in the city center and well known for its cozy yet classy atmosphere.  The food is ample and exceptionally fresh.  

At this point, picking up Florence newspapers and flyers from Pino's sandwich shop is habitual and has come in handy countless times, especially for finding random open mic nights and the acclaimed "Beatles Tuesdays" at Be Bop music club.  

Beatles Night!

She loves you YEAH YEAH YEAH!

Waiting for "Here Comes the Sun"

I'm a huge fan of Be Bop (on Via dei Servi) because it's a hidden gem-- literally underground-- only five minutes from my doorstep.  I met the owner on a Thursday night while on my way to the Duomo to meet up with Jackie and Regan.  He asked me to come back with friends because an American songwriter-- "a mix between Bruce Springsteen and Neil Young"-- was scheduled to perform that night at 11 p.m.!!  UnREAL.  

Luca McMirti... "Hiiiiiiding on the Backstreets"

The three of us were sitting in the front row by 11:15, only feet away from Luca McMirti, the lead singer of Florence's dignified rock group, Dust 'N' Bones.  He played an acoustic set, starting off the night with "Backstreets" by Springsteen-- my Dad's favorite song of all time.  I found it terribly hard to control myself, especially after he followed up the Bruce cover with "I Am the Highway" by Audioslave-- one of Chris' top songs from a few years ago.  It must have been some type of sign, right?  I couldn't stop thinking about my family that night.  I miss them.          

I clearly remember the first song that I heard in Florence: "Diamonds" by Rihanna.  Strange, no?  It's not that I was expecting "That's Amore" to be bumpin' on every radio station over here, but I never imagined the excess of American pop culture and electronica to cross the water so rapidly.  Lana Del Ray, Will.i.Am, and Asaf Avidan are a few of the hottest artists in Europe right now.  Has anyone heard Justin Timberlake's new song "Mirrors" yet?  The Italians have... and it's fire!  I've been hitting repeat for the past three weeks!  

For those who are concerned whether or not my love is still true for Jack Johnson, don't worry your pretty little heads.  I haven't forgotten about him!  Steph's acquainted me with trap remixes and the streets have brought woodwinds into my life, but I still listen to "Do You Remember" every now and again.  You can take the girl out of America, but you can't take Jack out of the girl...

CIAO SWEET THINGS!  XO!

Enjoy Adele's Italian twin (at Tamero Pasta Bar in Santo Spirito)!

A  

PS.  GO HUSKIES!  WOOOOOF!