It’s interesting how sometimes when I wake up and hear the quietness of the city, I become more reflective. Today is Festa della Republicca and at this time normally the motorini (scooters) and cars are circulating the streets below. I recently spoke to another woman about being an expat and a few ideas solidified in my mind. I love it when a chance encounter with someone proves to be insightful and meaningful for me.

I often walk through Piazza Mentana and always enjoy this view of the statue that stands in the middle of the piazza toward the Arno. In the almost three years we’ve been in this apartment, I’ve noticed this view and have admired it. Today as I was walking by it, I felt drawn to take a foto (picture). Sometimes I don’t have my macchina fotografica (camera) with me and other times I am carrying groceries home and can’t be bothered to take a foto

Each city has its own personality. Most places stir something in us: in some we may feel joy or serenity, while in others we may not be infused with such good feelings. I didn’t understand what Florence was all about when I first arrived. I had many signs, but I wasn’t able to interpret them. I not only had to have a good grasp of the language, but also I wanted to know a few Florentines very well.

A few months ago, a professor from Asbury University in Kentucky emailed me to see if I’d be open to talking with his journalist students if they were to come to Florence. I was of course flattered, but I wondered what I could talk to them about. David, the professor, told me that I could talk about my blog, my “Expats in Florence” column in The Florentine and the expats that I’ve interviewed.

After walking to San Niccolò to meet a friend for caffè, I stopped in the giardinetto (small garden) in Piazza Demidoff on my way back. Instead of rushing home, I sat down on one of the wooden benches along the sidewalk to take in the city. While the sun was behind me warming me up, the wind whisked by to cool me down.

At 7:15am this morning I was outside, warming up for my run along the Arno. I hadn’t been out running in months and have been waiting to go out for some time now. I put on my music and away I went. At this early morning hour, there were fewer cars and even fewer people walking about. I love looking around especially at the river and up to San Miniato once I am sure that the cobblestone sidewalk below my feet is stable.

I had a couple of hours before lunch today and decided to take a walk up to Piazzale Michelangiolo so I could visit the Giardino dell’Iris. With dark clouds looming overhead, I packed an ombrello (umbrella) in my purse and flung my macchina fotografica (camera) around my neck before heading outside.

This morning I wanted to go to pick up my new passport at the American Consulate and decided that no matter what, I’d walk along the Arno the entire way. I sometimes head down the narrow and less frequented streets in order to get to my destination quicker, but today I wanted to be near the water.

I was invited to speak at a friend’s class of college students who have been here for a semester. At first, I was a little hesitant to go because the topic was globalizzazione (globalization). I wasn’t sure I had anything to add, but my friend told me I did. She wanted me to talk with her students about my living and working in different countries, especially Florence, as well as what I’ve learned from other expats I know and have interviewed.

This weekend I took a course that took place in a large hotel alongside the Arno. Each day, I walked along the Arno away from the centro (downtown area) toward Ponte San Niccolò. I didn’t know how much I’d miss seeing my beloved city until this morning when I was walking to my friend’s apartment on via Ghibellina for a chat. I walked to Piazza della Signoria to pick up some brioche (croissants) for us and took a stroll down via Calzaiuoli.

A young woman emailed me not long ago and asked me if I knew of a fotografo (photographer) who could take foto (photos) of her and her beau. I responded that one of our friends is a professional fotografo who normally does weddings. When I asked him, he was pretty excited because he loves doing servizi fotografici (photo shoots). And since it’s not yet the season for weddings, he was free to work with them during the time they wanted to do it.

Living overseas away from family and long-term friends has opened me to meeting new people and to creating close bonds with others. It’s almost as if my friends here in Florence replace my family; the relationships I have are meaningful for me and hopefully for them too. I often meet people who read my blog and contact me. A few of my friends think I’m crazy because they don’t understand why I would meet people who are just visiting my beloved city, but I see it as an opportunity to connect with someone new and to share our lives.

Last night Alessandro, one of my girlfriends, and I went to the dinner for The Florentine’s fifth anniversary. I remember attending their fourth anniversary last year as one of their new writers. It’s hard to believe that an entire year has already passed since then.

When I go to the stadio (stadio) to see the Fiorentina play, I am in the Curva Fiesole, where the diehard fans are. I never bring my macchina fotografica (camera) with me because it’s not really allowed and our seats are behind the goal, quite far from the campo (pitch). Normally when I go to a partita (match), I am usually too busy clapping, singing and cheering to take any foto (photos) anyway.

A professional American photographer, Jenn, emailed me through my blog to ask about getting together for a photo safari. I was excited about the idea even though I rarely do such things with other people. In a sense, I’m a bit of a loner. I like to walk around by myself and let my curiosity and joy lead me through the streets. I like getting drawn to different things and capturing them in a foto (photo). Sometimes beauty jumps out and grabs me and I try to seize the moment to keep a memory of it for me.