Like any major city, you will see a lot of strange things in Florence. I had anticipated homeless people, thieves and gangs like in D.C.. What I found was something completely different. Art replaced notorious city litter and instead of hearing the honking of car horns, I heard singing and laughter. People were sincerely happy to be on the streets. I was skeptical of it at first. What were they putting in the water here? Maybe Italians are just naturally happy people. Then I remembered that the locals which I had witnessed the day prior where arguing loudly in their native language. Nope,cheery happiness is not their priority and yet, people on the streets were so content. So, what was the deal?
The first odd thing I saw was a beautiful chalk drawing on the street. Artists would spend all day replicating famous paintings. By the time night rolled around, they were masterpieces. I could not help but openly applaud them for their extraordinary talent. Then the next day, I was astonished to find that there were gone. I found out that the city of Florence has specific areas on their street where they invite creativity. Professional artists take turns drawing incredible chalk pictures just for fun. The only rule is that they must completely destroy the image at the end of the night by washing it away. I can only imagine how many amazing images made their debuts on these old stone streets.
The next day I was walking to class and I stumbled across a bride walking through the crowds of tourists. I had to do a double take because she walked so naturally down the street in her bridal gown. What was she doing? Quick site seeing before the ceremony? Maybe she was scoping out other options before she took the leap into monogamy. As if that wasn't weird enough, that night my roommate and I were walking across a bridge on the Arno. In the faint light of the Ponte Vecchio, we spotted 3 boats in the Arno. At first my roommate thought it was a midnight wedding one the river. As I looked closer, I noticed it was a person in a long white dress holding a violin. I assumed that the other boats must be the rest of the band and they were getting ready to play. With confused looks, we walked away. Doesn't anyone sleep in this city?
Later in the week, we decided to walk to a nearby sandwich place in hopes that it would be similar to a subway (the salty meat in most restaurants doesn't sit right in our stomachs). As we waited in the obscenely long line, we heard singing again. A man across the street was belting out his own version of older American songs. He sounded like the next radio hit. I lingered around the shop for a few extra minutes just to hear him finish his song. On our way back that night, we turned the corner, only to be hit by the voice of an Italian angel. I don't typically like opera, but this woman's voice could lure anyone in. All I could think was somebody get this girl on Britain's Got Talent!
The next day I was sitting in class where we were taught about the history of Florence. I noticed a trend. Most of the city's most notable accomplishments included art, architecture and other aesthetics. They spat at the fact that a Japanese man designed an exit way to one of the museums because it was bare, plain, and ugly. That was the difference that I was not accustomed to. In the states, we focus on innovation and technology. Sure, there is a place for the arts but nothing like this. This city is centered around art and beauty. We care about functionality.
I can't help but ponder, which is more important? Art or innovation? Of, course this opens a whole philosophical debate. For now, I will give my personal preference. Florence is beautiful...but I won't miss drying all of my clothes on a clothesline.