“And so as Tiny Tim observed, “God bless us every one.” Dickens A Christmas Carol
And so it was December again and the city of Florence, Italy looked like an angel food cake dusted with powdered sugar. The first light snowfall had covered everything with an icy white glaze.
Maisie and her fiance, Paul, were dining at Verochio’s as an early Christmas present. They began with bisteccaalla Florentina which was Tuscan steak cooked with roasted potatoes and squash. For dessert they ordered cantucci which were small almond cookies.
From the neighbor’s vineyard which grew only one type of grape called Sangiovese, they enjoyed anafter-dinner drink with their dessert. It was a special evening because it was Christmastime in Italy and they were together and in love. The candles cast a romantic glow over their table. And twinkling white lights were everywhere in the restaurant giving a holiday atmosphere over all. A large Christmas tree was beautifully decorated in the lobby which delighted their guests.
They had enjoyed the Christmas markets yesterday especially the one at Piazza Santa Croce called Weihachtsmaerkt. Gifts to be purchased included leather coin purses, panforte fruitcakes, jewelry, panettone, and knitted items.
Christmas Eve Midnight Mass was to be celebrated near the Duomo and the giant Nativity scene was placed in front of the Cathedral Maria del Fiore at the piazza del Duomo. Such a splendid scene stood before them as they listened to Gregorian chants.
After Mass they walked hand in hand back to their Hotel Napoleon which was dressed in the holiday spirit. The owner would hold a special welcome the following day to all his guests which included small samples of Italian meats and cheeses and drinks of their choice.
They planned to take the train to the Vatican in Rome to hear the Pope’s Christmas message and to share those moments with visitors from around the world. The temperature was rather mild for this late in December and daytime would reach 60 degrees.
Maisie and Paul both had brought wrapped presents for each other so it would really be a Christmas to remember. They would have two weeks to enjoy all that Italy offered at Christmas before their flight back to New York City January 4. They were praying that the weather would cooperate for their flight home.
A few days later they planned to take the train to see Pisa leaving from the Santa Maria Novella station for the 11 a.m. train at a cost of $10.00.and take tea at Salza’s Tearoom at via Borgo Stretto 46.. Salza’s was the place to be every afternoon after they had taken photographs at the Leaning Tower of Pisa. They enjoyed the brioche with lemon custard and made plans to have a spaghetti dinner at Spaghetteria Alle Bandeierie near the Ponte di Mezzo. Pisa was a quaint little city where streetsweepers still used hand-held brooms to clean the main streets. Residents numbered 89,828 at the latest count. With the mild temperature, they would sit outside and enjoy their respite al fresco.
Pisa lies in the alluvial plain of the Arno River and is approximately 50 miles from Florence.
Christmas in Florence, amid the Tuscan hills and the sunlight streaming through the tall pines and olive trees, had been relaxing and restorative. Now it was almost time to pack their suitcases and head to the airport for the homeward journey.
Happy Christmas to all and to all a good night.