I’m writing this post on the train from Firenze to Roma. “You should be enjoying the scenery,” you say. Well, I am but during the first part of this rapido trip, talking only an hour and a half, many tunnels cut through the Appenines.
Ready as I am to return home, I’m always a little sad to leave Tuscany and particularly Firenze. But a few days ago I started to get prepared. It seems that is the way with endings—a combination of the person making the mental and physical shift and the environment sending signals that it’s time to move on.
The mental shift is easy. With July 4th coming up, there are many plans with family and friends to look forward to . Plus I have a ‘very grateful’ life back home.
The environmental signals just appear. “We are into full season,” I was told, which was evident wherever I turned. The number of tourists had at least doubled since my arrival twelve days ago, and the tourist attractions were crowded. I understand that without ‘goods and services’ Florence wouldn’t exist for any of us, but when I saw a huge ‘building’ fabricated to advertise Toyota take up half the space of the Piazza della Republica, I felt it was time to go (I refused to take a picture of it) .
And then there is the heat. 95 degrees. I’ve never been here this late into June. It is time for this tourist to give a little more space to the others still there. As far as my sadness in leaving, I’m still working on what that’s all about.
Ready as I am to return home, I’m always a little sad to leave Tuscany and particularly Firenze. But a few days ago I started to get prepared. It seems that is the way with endings—a combination of the person making the mental and physical shift and the environment sending signals that it’s time to move on.
The mental shift is easy. With July 4th coming up, there are many plans with family and friends to look forward to . Plus I have a ‘very grateful’ life back home.
The environmental signals just appear. “We are into full season,” I was told, which was evident wherever I turned. The number of tourists had at least doubled since my arrival twelve days ago, and the tourist attractions were crowded. I understand that without ‘goods and services’ Florence wouldn’t exist for any of us, but when I saw a huge ‘building’ fabricated to advertise Toyota take up half the space of the Piazza della Republica, I felt it was time to go (I refused to take a picture of it) .
And then there is the heat. 95 degrees. I’ve never been here this late into June. It is time for this tourist to give a little more space to the others still there. As far as my sadness in leaving, I’m still working on what that’s all about.