What to do my last day in Europe?
My last day in Italy?
My last day in Florence?
My last vacation day?
They’re all one in the same of course. Sniffles as Jessamyn scoots off to the airport.
A city tour? Walking tour? Museums? Shopping? Not shopping. No more shopping.
My favorite thing to do in a city–especially a city I don’t know well–is a good meander. I love to people watch and people listen. How many languages can I hear? Can I understand the Swiss German being spoken over there by the fountain? Will the people notice I’m eavesdropping?
I like to explore a grocery store, watch how couples hold hands, and to see how people talk to their kids.
Shall I go to the Uffizi? See the famous art? Maybe, but squished-in crowds not doing it for me today…so I just walk. Since I’ve given Jessamyn the last of my Euros for the cab, an ATM my only real mission.
Things are bustling, even though it’s Sunday. I use max self-restraint as I pass the leather shops. The paper shops. Trinket shops are a repellant.
Walking merrily along sniffing in the Italian air and then across from the Pitti Palace I notice the Segway rental shop.
Faster than you can say “eggplant parmesan” or “mezzaluna parmigiano” I’m in there. Not biking but, still a two-wheeled adventure. Harry gives me a lesson and I leave him 20 Euros, my license and my jacket, which I’ll pick up at the other end.
Whee!
Whoa!
I turn the bar, or try to, as would with a bicycle. Nope. Instead I steer and turn by leaning. Big adjustment. People smile at me. I like that. Reaction reminds me of the eyelashes on the car at home. All smiles all the time. Over the Ponte Vecchio, old bridge, and the gold sellers. The cobblestones.
I’m slow and careful, but when things open up a bit it’s fun to zoom. Or at least it feels like a zoom. Good thing I don’t have the speedometer here. But I’m hungry, yes I am.
"mine the gold wherever it is," says Marcy. Am I the only one who shops and Brunello Cucinelli and has a Doner Kebab the same week?
What to do? Don’t want to waste my hour, but I am hungry.
Ahh…a Doner Kebab! That will do it and a trip down memory lane as well….living in Europe that was always my bargain lunch of choice. Colorful setting, tasty sandwich, and interesting mode of transit. Great way to end my trip.
Only rolled over my toe once.
