5 Things I Didn't Anticipate About Florence

To clarify, the purpose of this post isn't to complain, but to provide aspects of Florence that aren't as glamorized and praised about. Florence is a real city (with people that work and live here for their entire life), and no real inhabited place is perfect. 

Here are 5 things I didn't anticipate (and don't particularly care for) about Florence, in no particular order, to add a touch of realism whilst portraying my study abroad experience here. 

1. Graffiti

In the back of my mind, I knew I would be going to a city. And most cities display graffiti. But having never lived in a main part of a city before, I didn't exactly expect it to adorn many of the streets. It does, to an extent, detract from the historical atmosphere of the city.

2. Odor

While walking around this beautiful city, you will undoubtedly walk into whiffs of -- no, not nutella and pastries (only sometimes) -- but of sewage, smoke, and trash. That's just the way it is. Trash containers are out, sometimes overflowing, and people smoke everywhere. You can't avoid it. Sometimes it does contaminate the artsy atmosphere of the city (or adds to it, depending on perspective).

3. Creepy men

Granted, not all the men here are creepy. But I'm talking about the older ones, maybe in their 30s to 40s, from whom you would least expect it. They are usually alone, and are on the prowl when it's dark. You reduce your chances greatly of being approached by one if you don't slip up and act like a tourist. Like, for example, having your giant DSLR camera in view. Or looking at a map on your phone (this is more inconspicuous than a paper map, but all it takes is a second for a on-the-prowl man to notice that you're walking slower and looking at your phone's map) and you're caught. Ladies, if you're alone, stay aware of your surroundings in the evenings.

4. Persistent salespeople

This might just be a cultural thing, but I actually don't like walking through the famous San Lorenzo market. If you hesitate, make eye contact, or anything besides ignore them, you run the risk of being pestered and pushed into purchasing something that just happens to be on "sale" and is "geniune leather". I'm accustomed to doing my own shopping in peace without needing to ask to try on shoes and having a salesperson wait on me. But that's just me. 

5. Higher cost 

At least, compared to Ohio. (A girl in my Italian class did say that she pays over $700 in rent per month where she lives in Cambridge, and their apartment total is $2800/month.) But really -- the water's not free. In a restaurant? €3. Sometimes wine is cheaper. Need to use the bathroom? €0,50.

This was expected, but if you're considering where to study abroad.. Choose deliberately. It does make life a lot easier and less stressful if you don't have to think about costs when making a simple snack purchase. Also, things aren't usually returnable. And if you happen to find a store that will take it back, you receive store credit rather than cash back. 

All of these are minor details, but definitely make a difference when coming from America, where the land of plenty has free water and less cigarette smoke.