New experiences

Slowly I'm finding small niches in this enchanting and captivating city and have an array of experiences and unexpected stories to record...

Last week I began kayaking at the Societa Canoteri in Florence. A historic and prestigious rowing society on the banks of the Arno River and beneath the Uffizzi Gallery. The first day I went kayaking I was accompanied by a a handsome Florentine Architect called Marco Scaletti who gave me a golden coin to toss into the water and cast a wish as I past under the Ponte Vecchio for the first time.  Marco was born in Florence, he is very handsome, a beautiful gentle man, charismatic and wonderful company. His eyes are like diamonds and his smile engulfs me and the thought of seeing him again, fills me with an immense sense of joy.

Since becoming a member at the Canoteri, I have been kayaking daily for two hrs. One day I cycled in the morning in 33 degree heat for two hours and then in the afternoon kayaked. On Saturday I undertook a mountain cycling climb in the Tuscan hills with a Florentine cyclist. That day, it was 34 degrees, high humidity and insatiable heat. I think I'm now going a little too far.

Girls from Assissi

Sonia
Bar near Santa Maria Novella

Antonella
On the way to beaches of Maremma

Apart from sport and potential romance, I've also met some funky women; I met some girls during my trip to Assisi, who I would like to stay in touch with; Sonia who works in a local bar in Florence and Antonella who although originally from Sardenia has recently moved to Florence after working for Robert Caville for several years in Milan. Antonella likes to party, and eventhough I'm not into the night scene at the moment, after a late dinner last night we went out to a bar by the Arno River. Magical atmosphere, but boring crowd - it felt like I was in Melbourne. Foreign fair women and old or unattractive Italian men... no real eye candy. We met one guy 36yrs old, who was obsessing about this plastic looking woman he was having an affair with. Listening to his shallow conversations and superficial impressions of this woman made me cringe. Sometimes its the same story just a different place.

I may have found my Florentine abode. Last week I saw a gorgeous apartment in the historical centre of San Frediano near Piazza della Carmine. After work tomorrow I am going to view it again. The location is wonderful, it is spacious, and well serviced. I was standing in the lounge area the other day and started planning my first dinner party and preparing a meal for all the generous friends I've met.

Lately I've been allowing the simple things in life to resonate with me and am taking the time to simply enjoy the things I love. I've also embraced saying yes when invited to do something and the opportunites that have unfolded as a consequence have been wonderful.

While I'm still concerned about finding secure work and a little tired from last week, I'm happy.