A room full of lions, with hearts like chocolate baked muffins.
I can't remember the last time I walked into a room filled with unfamiliar and eceletic faces and only saw kindered spirits. Despite age, appearance, education, profession, social, financial or marital status; each woman in that room had an interesting, poetic and inspiring story to tell. And keen to share their experiences of how they came to Firenze to pursue a whim and a dream, how they fell in and out of love, found their niches, established international friendships and lost themselves admiring the beauty of the Ponte Vecchio's reflection on the Arno River.
As I went to walk out the door, Debra's determined and yet gentle eyes met mine. She kissed me on both cheeks and wished me luck with my Italian endeavours.
I can't remember the last time I walked into a room filled with unfamiliar and eceletic faces and only saw kindered spirits. Despite age, appearance, education, profession, social, financial or marital status; each woman in that room had an interesting, poetic and inspiring story to tell. And keen to share their experiences of how they came to Firenze to pursue a whim and a dream, how they fell in and out of love, found their niches, established international friendships and lost themselves admiring the beauty of the Ponte Vecchio's reflection on the Arno River.
As I went to walk out the door, Debra's determined and yet gentle eyes met mine. She kissed me on both cheeks and wished me luck with my Italian endeavours.
"You can do it. You will make it and when you return to Australia you will be stronger for these experiences. After this, there is nothing you can't do..."
After pausing to drape a shawl across her shoulders, she concluded "You know I've lived in Firenze for over 30 years and 'my girl' in our days it was tough! I suffered a lot. It was hard.. but I did it! And so will you".
Then as she smiled benevolently goodbye she added "Good luck!"
Ponte Vecchio & the Arno River, Firenze
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