Having arrived late in the day, there wasn't much time to see the city that night.
After a long hot bath, I asked the concierge what nearby restaurant he could recommend...
For someone, a woman, traveling and dining out alone at that time of the night.
He pointed me to a place, just a few blocks away.
I made my way to the restaurant, walking slowly, lost in my thoughts of how much I wanted this, savoring the feeling of being alone, finally.
In distance I saw the lights of the restaurant and I quickened my step, eager to get out of the cold.
Wearing my best smile, I walked in and immediately felt at ease.
He looked at me from across the room and smiled.
I smiled back.
Or was it me who smiled first? Someone asked me if I have reservations, it was their busiest time of the day after all.
I said no, and just stood there, smiling.
No problem Senora, they said, they can sit me somewhere very nice in fact.
Grazie mille.
Thank you so much.
Not one to be daunted at the thought of dining alone I sat down at my table, facing not with my back towards the other people.
meeting their inquiring gaze with a smile and smiling to myself as I took a sip of my wine, happy to just be there.
He approached my table then, asked if I was new in town.
I said...
I was just...
visiting.
He had a nice smile and piercing eyes.
The kind you want to lose yourself in.
But I was hungry, so thoughts of "losing myself" flew out of my mind as soon as I saw the menu.
I was on my own, eating alone in a foreign country, surrounded by strangers, eavesdropping on conversations I can almost understand by that time.
An old man winked at me from across the room.
I raised my wine glass as a thank you.
Two women smiled at me when they saw me laugh out loud in delight when my dessert came.
Biscotti with Vinsanto.
Simply delicious.
Nectar of the Gods they say.
Welcome to Firenze.
As I finished, he approached my table again.
He told me his name.
He said he would like, if I was willing, to show me around Firenze the next day.
I told him that would be lovely, but I already had plans.
He said...
he'd wait.
For me, he'd wait.
So I smiled...
and said yes.
Lovely Firenze.
I'll remember you with the fondest of memories.