Happy New Year

 ... from Florence, Italy. We weren't sure we would be able to travel until we passed our Covid tests on Thursday. It would have been a real bummer to test positive and have to change all our plans. We flew out of Chicago on New Year's Eve via Zurich. We landed at the Florence airport about 3:00 Saturday afternoon. We lined up for a taxi but only had to wait a few minutes. Dan got some Euros out of an ATM and we were on our way. Fortunately, it was a holiday, so the street where we are staying was clear. There was a delay in getting into our apartment, as the host was still cleaning from the last visitor. But once we got in, it was easy to get settled.

View of Alps from plane -- all snow-covered

We are very happy with our location in central Florence. We are right across the street from the Mercato Centrale, a huge market with vendors on the main floor and dozens of restaurant booths on the upper floor.  The apartment is quite small, but there are two bedrooms with plenty of storage space. The main room with a love seat, table and small kitchen, faces the street below. We are on the second floor (third for Americans). The street is full of vendors' booths -- the San Lorenzo market. The San Lorenzo church is just down the street.

View of our door from across the street -- Dan waiting with luggage (the narrow doors
are between shops)

There were many people out walking on the streets, taking advantage of the holiday. And they were all masked, unlike Goshen where few people wear them even inside. At the entrance to the Mercato there was a guard checking our vaccine cards for entry.

View down Via de' Martelli with the Baptistry in the background

After getting oriented (kitchen, wi-fi, etc.), we headed out. The Vodafone store was closed (it was New Year's Day!) but a small grocery was open and we got some provisions for breakfast. After depositing our shopping, we went into the Mercato to find something for supper. We got some arancini (suppli in Rome), grilled onions, and roasted potatoes to take home. 

After a welcome shower and falling into bed, we both got a fairly good night's sleep. Today we will head out to get our phones connected and find a larger store for more supplies. This is going to be a great adventure!

Morning view from our window as the vendors get set up