Should anyone be planning a surprise visit, and I sincerely hope you are, it might be handy to know where I live, and how to find me.
The easiest way to find my new flat is to take the train to the main station in Florence, Firenze Santa Maria Novella. Walk though the station and follow the signs to Il Duomo. The magnificent pink, green and grey marble church pops up before your eyes. Impossible to miss, you'll be gobsmacked every time.
Continue along the same street, diritto, diritto, sempre diritto, keeping Il Duomo on your right. When an African man pushes an armfull of Gucci handbags or Rapheal ombrelli under your nose, don't panic. Just say "no thankyou" and keep going. Or if you are feeling bold that day "vi via!!", both equally ineffective, but the latter a lot more satisfying.
Continue towards the Arno, about five streets after Il Duomo giro a sinistra into via della Vigna Vecchia - the old vineyard. Pass by the local pizzeria, wave ciao to Micheala. You can also wave ciao to mumma, pappa, zio , zia, fratello, sorrella and cane. They are all there making fabulous yummy pizzas. There will be a gaggle of American students milling about hoping for a climpse of the living statue of David.
Continue along until you find the door number 5. Press the button named Bolognesi. If you have trouble finding the place you can always ask for Vivoli - the most famous gellateria in Florence. Everyone knows where it is, just at the bottom of my street next to La latteria and opposite the shop where I buy my fresh pesto and pancetta.
Oh yeah a word of warning. Stai attenta i stronzi, and I don't just mean the snoots in the shops. You will find the streets regularly dotted with doggy poo, no such thing as pooper scoopering in Italy. My shoes have seen better days.
I'm most likely to be at school in the day time. In the evening you will find me sipping chianti classico at the Savoy in piazza della republica or simply promenading. It's how it's done on vacanza.
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