The Leather Market and My Failed Attempts at Proactivity

2/14/15

Day 30

I had the best intentions for today. I really did. I was just about to start reading when Alex asked if I wanted to come with her and Katie to the leather market. 

I was thinking 'yeah: adventure and roommate bonding!' but when I got there I realized it was going to be a test of my willpower. I suddenly discovered my pressing need for sunglasses that make me look pretentious, and of my deep seated desire for a really warm wool sweater. And maybe a new wallet since mine broke? And you can never have too many scarves! 

I miraculously made it through every inch without buying anything for myself. To be fair though, I'd just gotten stuff yesterday and I did buy a present for someone.

When we'd finished window shopping (well, they were more than window shopping! They found a few really good deals!) we headed inside and then to the upstairs of Mercato Centrale. I'd never been to the second floor and was surprised to find endless food but luckily wasn't hungry. I even managed to walk away from the gelato.

But my resolve was wearing thin. My roommates had gone to a bar/cafè earlier in the semester and told me it was good for taking pictures of the Duomo. Naturally, I'd been dying to go. On our way home, we decided to stop by for a drink and to celebrate the fact that we should have studied for midterms all day and miserably failed! We sat on the top floor, outside. While we waited, the little girl next to us ordered a hot chocolate that made us all jealous. It was cold out so I copied her. It was interesting that her dog was sitting calmly under the table while her family ate because the lower floors were a department store that the dog had to walk through to get here. Italians let their dogs come everywhere with them and it's really cute. They also let them poop everywhere though and that is really not cute. The duomo was obviously as beautiful as ever and was the perfect backdrop as I sipped on what had been described to me as "melted chocolate in a cup", aka Italian hot chocolate, and it did not disappoint.

 I ate it and it was gone. It was thick and rich and warm. It could have been a little bit sweeter but I still enjoyed it a lotttt. And I got another duomo shot to add to my collection! 

As we were getting pretty close to home, we unfortunately made a stop at a bakery. I succumbed to the peer pressure to get a donut. And even once I was safely home, I went back out for aperitivo on one of the few weekends I've been in Florence so far. 

Today was definitely not what I had in mind, but it was a lot of fun, even if it was maybe a little irresponsible!