Florence

by Jessica Solan

Traveling has already evolved me so much. From long bus rides to organizing flights with big groups, you tend to learn a lot, even from mistakes. Our first free weekend, my friends (who I am so grateful to have met) and I went to Florence. The bus ride there alone let us see a sunset over the rolling hills of Tuscany, and then we stayed right next to a Piazza on what seemed to be to Firenze as Fifth Avenue is to New York. 

We had amazing pizza (as we do in every location in Italy), gelato, shopped, and went out for every opportunity that we could on our three day journey. I was amazed to have seen the Statue of David in person; in pictures it is impressive, but the enormity, detail, and presence that you can feel in the from the real life experience of David is overwhelming. The Santa Maria di Firenze was even more impressive to me. The dome was so enormous, and the paintings inside are absolutely remarkable. It almost feels as if divine figures built the basilica themselves. The consistent artistry around the Basilica, especially the expressive detail and depth of the statues and paintings in front, can not be comprehended in one visit. 

My favorite part of Florence had to be the Ponte Vecchio. My friend visited it several years ago and described it so beautifully. I’d seen it in pictures but to be there was crazy because I didn’t even know where I was for a second. I just saw the river, said to my friend, “we have to see the Ponte Vecchio before we leave,” then walked into a section of stores that I then realized were on a bridge. 

I couldn’t stop staring out at the river, and thankfully, it was my favorite part of the day - the sunset! It was so cloudy, but just as the sky was turning pink, spots of the sky cleared and the colors began jumping off of clouds and windows. It almost sounds made up, which is one of my favorite parts about it being real- it felt like a fairytale. I was so at peace. Another feature of the Ponte Vecchio that I really like is the fact that it’s named “Vecchio.” All it translates to is “Old Bridge,” but my late boyfriends last name is Vecchio, and I usually think of myself as traveling for two, doing all things he never got to do, as well as finding peace and bliss for myself. In this case I’m traveling for three: Myself, Mike, and John Mark, who I’m sure would have been my boyfriend’s best friend if they had met. 

Traveling isn’t just about where you go, it’s also who you are with. I’ve been lucky enough to find amazing friends, and also to have people to carry in my mind as I travel; and let’s not forget that I also am finding more of myself in every day that passes by.