Florence & Me

Fiesole is where I studied in 2002. This is where I learned how to say my first Italian phrase. This is where I tried my first Italian wine. Fiesole is where it all started. My love affair with Italy. This episode I'll talk about the special places in Fiesole that brings me back to presence. The restaurants have changed owners but I'll discuss the memories I have with them. Let it be a first date, a festa or just simply a delicious pizza. I get emotional again, surprise! I hope you enjoy this episode!

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I'm reminded how much I've learned living abroad. I bring back how much I miss riding my gorgeous yellow bike. It was my car. From kissing friends 'hello' and 'goodbye' to saying "buongiorno' and 'grazie' when I left a store. These things were a part of my daily life in Florence. I remember back to when I didn't have a smartphone and also taking my time when I went from one place to another. There was never a rush, unless a store was about to close.  ha! Pasquale, Luca and Leo and all the amazing friends that taught me how to be present, thank you! Enjoy this episode! 
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This episode starts with my introduction to the number and its meaning. It's amazing how much the number 8 came into my life. Stefano and I meet in this episode. Our story is my favorite, I know I'm bias. I explain how I was able to stand in my truth with what I wanted in a relationship. Stefano was open and willing to keep communication open. That was so important. I honored my feelings and expressed my thoughts with boldness. Women who are dating right now and are afraid to be themselves, listen to this episode. I embraced the fact that we might not be right for each other and I always thought of him fondly after each date before we become exclusive. Because you never know what might happen. The moral of the story is to BE YOURSELF! EVERY DAMN DAY! 


Follow me on Instagram
@katerinafiore
@truly_italy
@love_firenze_italy

On Facebook
Truly Italy Tours

Santi Apostoli has been in my heart since 2002. Thanks to Vera, I've grown up in this church. It has been my holy space, my safe space, my grounding space. I love the energy it gives off and how it makes me feel when I light one of its candles. Here's the story of my favorite church Santi Apostoli. Enjoy amici miei! :)

When I started teaching English, I wasn't prepared at all. I did the best I could to teach it. My job paid little so to make a lot, I had to work soooooo much. I rode my bike all over Florence to make enough money to pay rent, utilities and my glasses of red. :) It was a great lesson, because I learned how to manage my money really well. I met a lot of Fiorentini(Florentines) while teaching but when I met Alessandro and his friends, I knew it would be a great change of scenery. I learned so much from him and his friends. From the risks I took to be in their country, to the risks they took befriending an Americana, we learned so much about each other's culture and I how to be Florentine.  Dialect and all. So much fun revisiting this with you! Probably cried again in this episode too. haha! :) 

Taking a pause on my story with another story. The Story of Orsanmichele. This church dates back to the 9th century and it has an amazing legend attached to it. This is the first of many church episodes, not tied to religion, but the history and stories attached to them. Those are my favorite: history that makes a great story to tell. I hope you enjoy this one! 

This episode is about my first job in Florence, thanks to Marco. My struggles the first few months with not being paid and how to manage the little savings I had. I learned how to suck it up and just keep going even when I wanted to to give up. I share the steps on how I got my codice fiscale, first bank account and finally getting my ID card. It's so important not to let go of your dream. The steps of becoming a British citizen then an Italian resident came so easily because my heart was in it for the long haul. It shows how passion and determination helps you get what you truly desire. I hope this inspires you to take the leap into your passion.

In this episode, I share how I went from worrying when and if I could live in Florence legally to getting British citizenship within 3 months. It was like the universe was just guiding me to the next step. It was so simple. From there each time I headed back to Florence I had a better idea on how I was going to stay. For good. Side note: there are a couple corrections because my flow of speech is quite quick. I'm so excited to relive my story with you. Hope you enjoy this episode!

After college, I couldn't stop thinking about Florence and how I could get back there. I worked different jobs and then I took the leap. In the summer of 2005, I moved back to Florence for 3 months. My goal was to learn Italian better, oh did I! I met amazing friends and learned more lessons along the way. Here's where my love of living permanently in Florence began to grow. 

In my first episode, I share my firsts when I studied abroad. My first glass of wine, my first Italian sentence, very important one I might add. I recall my favorite teachers and how much I miss those days without smartphones. Study abroad is something everyone should do. I don't care where just do it! I remember getting lost in my beloved Florence and how I memorized the names of the little streets.