Written by Zoe Pringle, (Brandeis University) Student Correspondent Brandeis Midyear at CET Florence, Fall 2018
I’ve never been a big fan of driving and the town I’m from has limited public transportation, but I have also never considered myself an avid walker. That is, until now. Walking is the main mode of transportation in Florence, and my legs have had to quickly adjust.
Equipped with just a pair of Tevas and slip-on Vans upon my arrival to Florence, I quickly realized I would need to invest in some sneakers. Everyone seemed to be wearing white tennis shoes, so I joined the club and purchased a pair of white and red Diadoras. Feeling like a local in my new shoes, I could much more easily walk long distances, but I still had not adapted to the lifestyle and rules of walking in Florence.
While I frequently contemplated hailing a taxi or learning how to read the bus system, those seemed like feats (pun intended) that I frankly did not have the energy to take a risk on or learn. There was no risk in walking, so I slowly began to treat my feet as my only source of transportation. Walking to school was a sure fire way to get me into this mindset. I start my weekdays by taking a gorgeous ten minute walk to school. My walk includes crossing a bridge that never fails to deliver stunning skies that reflect in the river for a ‘too good to be true’ picture. If my day includes my art renaissance class, sometimes I start my day with a longer walk to a museum I’ve never been to. Both of these destinations are a good motivation for walking, as most places in Florence are beautiful enough to feel worth the walk. I have even found myself willing to walk a forty minute walk, rather than spend money on a taxi.
Google Maps and my SIM card are a godsend, especially as someone who is seriously directionally challenged. The streets of Florence can be hard to learn for those who are used to grid structured cities, like most American towns, but a few weeks in the area and I found myself recognizing different streets and sites that I thought I would never conquer. I can now navigate myself to fifteen plus places, sans phone.
With navigation covered, I found that I was still adjusting to the etiquette of being a pedestrian in Italy. With tiny cars zooming around, not adhering to crosswalks, mopeds quickly turning corners, and a lack of understanding of the light system, I felt hyper vigilant about my safety on the street when I first arrived. At first, I would only walk on the sidewalk, wait until someone else was also crossing a street, and instinctively grab my friends’ arms when it looked like a car was going to hit them. Now I confidently walk into the street, always cross the street when the light is green, even if cars do not look like they are going to stop (they are), and walk on the road if the sidewalk if it is too crowded. If there is one thing I have learned, it is that Italian drivers are excellent with their breaks.
Lastly, with all this new walking, I have made some new local friends. I frequently run into a middle-aged man who walks around the neighborhood with his faithful dog always following four feet behind him, without a leash. He is a stereotypically friendly Italian and always says “Ciao” to me when we cross paths. I also always say hello to the servers who stand outside the restaurant across from my apartment, greeting me with large smiles and cheerful conversation. On another street close to my apartment, a man stands outside his leather shop and I stop to talk to him whenever I pass. He started a conversation with me when I passed his shop with my aunt, who was visiting, saying that he has noticed me walk by him frequently. We now know enough about each other to have a conversation once a week. These new friendships would not be possible without the necessity of walking. Back home, I sometimes find myself recognizing myself driving next to or in front of the same cars, but this obviously cannot result in a personal meeting. Walking allows much more human connection and exposure to local culture.
My sneakers are now worn and dirty but always I look forward to leaving my apartment and walking everyday. With all this new experience, I feel hopeful that wherever I travel to after Florence, I will be a more confident walker and will use my feet to not only carry me to new destinations, but also to new experiences and company.