Italiano Language Center in Florence: un bel giorno!

We were on the final leg of a most amazing trip. Having arrived in Istanbul a few short weeks prior, we had traveled by train through Romania, Ukraine and Poland. Our love for Eastern Europe is deep.

But ending the trip in Italy is a comfort like none other.

We settled in Lucca, a favorite of ours with its ramparts for walking and biking, their mercato d’antiquariato, like a promise every third weekend and for the easy access to a great little train station.

 

Leaving by train from Lucca, especially on a day framed by such a luminous blue sky, fills you with a known anticipation that is certain! This is Italy and a great day is ahead!

But, on this day we were heading out on our final and most anticipated adventure! Spending the day in Florence with my Italian teachers, and our dear friends, Al and Elena, with the Italiano Language Center, in Atlanta, Georgia and Florence, Italy. We would see Italy differently, through the eyes of people for whom this was home. We had the honor of being their guests.

Al, this joyous man who spills over with Italian warmth, met us at Santa Maria Novella train station. He had biked from their apartment and was anxious for us to be on our way. Our plan was to walk from the station to their apartment for lunch being prepared by Elena.

There were unexpected stops along the way, Italian style! At the station, a friend of Al’s who is a guide for small groups, unexpectedly appeared in the crowd. We soon became engaged in lively conversation, as though we had met before. What a perfect way to begin our day! He told us about some of the unique tours he offers his small groups, one in particular to Luni, with its little know ruins, near Carrara.

We were enticed by the adventures he was detailing for us.

We made our farewells and headed out onto the streets of Florence. We soon realized we were seeing this city for the first time. As an architect, Al’s love for his city radiates!

Our day was so enriched by knowledge we wanted to infuse from him. Passing by old familiar sites, our wonder was enhanced.We made our way along the Arno, the great river that had been a witness to so much. We followed Al as he meandered along his favorite route, eventually arriving at their home.

 

And home, it truly was. That place where you want to end up, to linger, to be wrapped up in…We were welcomed by Elena’s graciousness and that familiar sparkle in her pretty smile.

 

I peered through their kitchen into the most luscious and inviting of little gardens and I remembered Elena’s tale of woe to Al, as he retold it in my Italian class, “Al, the birds are taking our olives to the sky!” I had so envied the scene I had painted that day  for myself…and now here I was!

For the next six plus hours, over the sumptuous delicacies they had prepared for us, we sat and talked and lived vicariously through some of the amazing adventures these two have shared in their lives. With Elena’s rich background in literature and history, as lovers of European history ourselves, we were treated to a narrative that captured our every thought!

With the departure of our return train to Lucca looming, we headed back into the old city.

As we strolled together, Elena would point out to me

pieces of her life, growing up in this Renaissance jewel! We paused as she pointed to the timeworn door that lead inside to the school she once

attended with her sister.

We stood there, in the shadows of the day’s end, professoressa e studente – looking at this old building in Florence. And as I snapped several pictures, I could feel the breath of her memories, next to me.

We topped the day off with the most Italian of Italian delights,

gelato, at the “Caffe San Marco“, where Al and Elena’s paths first crossed all those many years ago.

As our day came to a close, we hurried onto our train back to Lucca, with the embrace of farewell still warm. Our final waves began to blur the old station as we watched this great city of Florence fade from our view. It had been a day like none other, a gift for our hearts,  with us always.

Want to learn Italian with “Italians”? Then for an experience you won’t forget, clink the link: time spent with Al an Elena at the Italiano Language Center in the Atlanta, GA area, in Firenze or via Skype will provide you with the ultimate language experience. So immerse  yourself in la dolce vita!