Room with a view, almost

In the book, 'A Room With a View', the heroine, Lucy Honeychurch, arrives in Florence with her older cousin at their pensione (hotel) and is disappointed to discover they did not receive the rooms with a view of the river Arno as they had been promised. I had no expectations of a room with a view when I arrived in Florence but was pleasantly surprised when I discovered I had a partial view.  I do face the Arno and the only thing blocking my view are some trees from a lovely little park right outside my window.  Lucy eventually got her room with a view and a whole lot more in the bargain (you'll have to read the book).  My view (with a lovely window I can open) comes with a lot of traffic noise.

The weather has definitely taken a turn the past several days.  It rained and cooled down in Lucca and we had rain last night in Florence and it's been very windy and cool.  It was a struggle to pack for this trip knowing from location to location the weather would vary from 60 to 80.  I packed for weather about 70 and am regretting it.  I also didn't think out my footwear options very thoughtfully.  I've ended up doing a little shopping which I'm sure will make me more comfortable out in the elements but only means that much more to pack.

I've discovered a few obvious ways to tell the Italians and American tourists apart:  Italians - boots, Americans - white sneakers, Cynde - sandals; Italians - wool coats and scarfs, Americans - TNF jackets, Cynde - two sweaters and a scarf; Italians - sunglasses always, Americans - cameras; Italians - men in slacks and dress shirts with a sweater draped over their shoulders, Americans - shorts and tee-shirts.  I feel I score a minor victory when an Italian stops and asks me a question.  I can only shake my head and say, No Italiano.

Ciao.