Reliving Firenze

Whenever the name Firenze was mentioned, images of a city sprawled with tourists in khaki-pants and straw hats, of gelaterias swelled with a plethora of served-in-pathetically-small-sized-paper-cups-which-always-make-sure-you-come-back-for-more mouthwatering gelati, of pantomimes in every corner of the city, of long queues at every must-visit-and-must-see attraction of the city, would automatically flash across my mind. However overrated this city might be, some things, some places and the food in Firenze have this uncanny draw on me, despite the crowds, the traffic and overpriced gelati! I read somewhere that, the amount of tourists in Firenze during high season actually exceed the number of native Florentines residing in Firenze itself. I am not surprised.Bargain hunters for leather goods and souvenirs are completely spoiled for choices as leather goods (be it fake or genuine) can be found almost in every corner of Firenze. Shopping was far from my mind. I was completely content with simply walking its streets, hunting for the best gelato in town! If I were to live in Firenze, I would be one fat but happy girl because I don’t mind having one or more gelato every day . I can still recall the smooth chocolatey-texture, or the fruity kiwi scoop and that nutty pistachio at the tip of my tongue. It was simply divine, strolling the streets of Firenze with a cup of gelato in hand and the Tuscany afternoon sunshine warming the tired limbs. The magnificent Duomo beckons its ever faithful throngs of visitors over the years. Sitting down on one of the many benches around the Duomo, watching tour guides frantically waving at its followers and admiring the giant piece of architecture. Guarded by its many angels, I was happy for not being a tourist for a moment.