Florence

After yoga this morning, I chatted with one of my classmates. In an Italian accent, she asked where I was from. "Canada," I said. I explained I'm living in Florence for two years.

"Do you like it?" she asked.

"Yes, it's beautiful. Are you from here?"

"Yes," she said. And then, unprompted, she surprised me. "I love it. I think it's so beautiful. My friends, who are all from here, they say they hate the city center. They think it's expensive and full of tourists, but they're wrong. I just love to walk around and see all of the beautiful buildings and the history. I think I'm so lucky."

We agreed that there are lots of tourists, but that the tourists aren't so bad. They're always happy and vibrant. After all, they are in one of the most beautiful cities in the world.