Florence vs Rome

On my recent trip to Italy, I visited two of it’s cities. The first was Florence, a romantic and charming city that birthed the Renaissance. The second was Rome. Known as the Eternal City, it is the capital of Italy and sees millions of tourists every year. These are how they compared during my stay.

1. The streets of Florence had cute little garbage trucks that asked us to please keep the city clean. The streets of Rome were covered with a layer of dirt and graffiti.

cleaning car

CUTE!

2. The David. Before seeing him in person, I thought he was just another statue. Obviously, I was wrong. Seeing David triggers a spiritual awakening of sorts, as the observer is seeing something so beautiful, so perfect. There is nothing else like it in the world. I especially liked the backside of the statue. Yum.

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In contrast, Rome showed us only slivers of the Trevi Fountain from behind a layer of construction fencing. My long-dreamed of Lizzie McGuire moment was stolen from me by this city.

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Oh hey, construction!

 

3. Florence is small enough to navigate by foot. In Rome, I almost got trampled trying to enter a bus. And then the elderly lady next to me had to make a sudden exit because she started having a claustrophobia attack.

4. I had no expectations regarding Florence. I expected Rome to amaze me. Perhaps this is the root of my disappointment.

Inside the Grand Bazaar

Many things vie for one’s attention in the Grand Bazaar. This massive covered market houses over 4,000 shops whose salespeople call out as you walk past, trying to get you to buy their merchandise. Dating back to the 15th century, the bazaar was once a commercial hub for traders, internationally and locally. Now, it is mostly filled with touristy knickknacks, and has sections of stores that sell gold, leather, carpets, antiques, lamps, water (hookah) pipes, and various other souvenirs. In short, it is the perfect location to purchase heaps of Christmas presents for my friends and family back home.

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                 Entrance to the bazaar

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      A quaint avenue inside the bazaar

I entered the bazaar with this mission in mind. At first, it was hard to stay focused, what with all the crowds of people, noise, and dizzying array of shop upon shop. But then I saw a drool-worthy bag in the corner of one store’s window. The owner told me 150 lira. Obviously this was not acceptable. I got it for 50 lira after a quick dance of haggling back and forth. I would like to think the low price was due to my impeccable haggling abilities, but really, I only had 50 lira in my wallet. I got up to leave, telling him I would come back after visiting an ATM and looking around a bit, which was a lie, as there was no way I would ever be able to find my way back to this one store in the mass of the bazaar. He knew this, and agreed on the sum of 50 lira.

Following this purchase, I felt energized, ready to tackle the rest of my shopping list. The bazaar is filled with souvenirs that no one really needs, but inevitably ends up purchasing. Some good items to pick up for around 10 lira include fez hats, evil eye bracelets, the silver cups used for serving Turkish coffee, and boxed apple tea. Nicer pieces, like statement jewelry and watches, can be found in the center of the market, in the old Antique Bazaar.

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A variety of cafes also speckle the inside of the bazaar. My favorite is Şark Kahvesi. I ended up here after my long day of shopping came to a close. Hopefully everyone will enjoy their presents. I certainly enjoyed buying them. Oh retail therapy, how I love thee so! The bazaar is open from 8:30am to around 7pm every day except for Sunday, when it is closed.

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How to Tourist in Budapest

1. Watch this video before you arrive on Hungarian soil. It features my celebrity crush, Rick Steves, and a lot of useful information.

2. The best way to reach the city center from the Budapest Airport is by the airport’s Minibusz service. It’s desk is located next to the exit and costs around 13 Euro. While public transport is cheaper, to get to the city requires taking a long and arduous journey and transferring between the bus and metro lines.

3. Budapest is really one of the most stunning cities in the world. For the best views and photo opportunities, climb to the top of Gellert Hill, take a boat cruise on the Danube, or ride the funicular up to Buda Castle. (I would like to sadly note that during my stay the funicular was closed for maintenance. Excuse me while I take a moment of silence and choke back my sobs).

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WHYYY

4. Go to the baths, preferably the Szechenyi one. It is pure bliss after a long day spent traipsing through the city.

5. Drink lots of alcohol. It will help you stay warm. But don’t forget where your hostel is located and to drink water once you get there. But seriously, it cost me 4 USD for a mixed drink and about a dollar for a glass of wine.

6. If you’re traveling with an American debit card, be prepared to experience ATM woes. I only found one that would accept my card. The ones at the airport and all throughout the city center were Euronet, a name I now identify with terror and frustration.

7. Ride the public transportation. It’s old, charming, and a hip shade of yellow. Just make sure that when boarding the trams you remember to insert your ticket into the nondescript box near the entrances. Otherwise, you run the risk of getting grumbled at by a Hungarian fare officer. I can’t think of a scarier fate.

8. Walk across one or more of the bridges. Stop in the center. Take in the view. Breathe. You are in Budapest. Everything is grand, here in this moment.

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Me + Chain Bridge