Written by Christina L, High School/Pre-College Student Correspondent for CET Florence: Italian Food, Art, and Society, Summer 2019
Back in New York, there is a coffee shop on every corner. Shops are stocked with cups of every size ranging from espresso to venti. Despite the vast selection, I always go with my large black iced coffee. This is not just a morning routine — my coffee runs are like a three times a day thing. That’s why I was a little nervous about my trip to Florence — the land of small hot coffees. I had been to Europe and Italy many times and knew large iced coffees are not common. If you’re lucky, some shops are nice enough to give you a hot coffee and a cup of ice, which one could mix to create a small lukewarm coffee. Even so, I was determined to find my large cold-brew coffee in Italy.
Fortunately, I have found several places that make my usual order, however, those are not the shops I have been frequenting. Rather, I have been drawn to the traditional cafes on the side streets or the large piazzas and find myself ordering cappuccinos, americanos, and espressos. In the large piazzas, I can sit outside and people watch, while enjoying some shade. At the smaller cafes, I can sit in an intimate room and choose from a selection of pastries to pair with my coffee. So far, my favorite cafe is a place called High Bar, which is located right across from the CET campus. Everyday before class, I stop in a buy an espresso and a bottle of water — the woman who works there even recognizes me now! This experience of having a usual cafe has made me feel like a true local, as well as giving me a sense of community.
I look forward to the next few weeks of the program, as well as many more espressos. Arrivederci!