Settling in

We spent yesterday and today unpacking and getting accustomed to the apartment. Many shops were closed for Sunday, and a fair few are still closed today for Ferragosto, the last two weeks in August when many Italians go on holiday. The area seems relatively quiet, so it will be interesting to see the streets buzzing again in September when the rest of the city returns.

Running along the Arno

Our apartment is just like how the previous occupant, Myke, described. It is elegant and clean, well stocked with random cooking items, some wines, liquors, cutlery, linens, cleaning supplies, some toiletries, etc, and the TV, internet, and phone are still up and running from when he left (thank goodness we don't have to deal with those details on our own). It did take us an annoyingly long time yesterday to figure out how to do a load of laundry (the apartment actually has a washing machine!!), but in the end the clothes came out clean and the machine didn't flood or break down, so I think it worked. We are still a bit confused about all the different detergents, wash settings, and anti-calcium tablets, but I think we are off to a good start.

The view of Sant' Ambrogio (at only about half-capacity due to the holiday) from our kitchen window

Today we set up Lorenzo's nice new mega tank. It is at least 50% larger than his old aquarium, though it is a bit shallower. It is just a long plastic storage bin from one of the closets, and for a cover we have a plastic screen we got from a passerby at a shop (Seth asked her where she got it and she was actually trying to get rid of it, so she handed it off to us). Hopefully he doesn't get too destructive and figure out a way to escape from his homemade home. At least the lower bedroom is very secure so he has a new great big space to run freely in during the evening hours.

Lorenzo's new tank

We spent a bit of time checking out the best grocery stores, Sant' Ambrogio (the large outdoor/indoor market right next door), the local gelaterie, and last night made pasta to eat on the steps of Santa Croce. It is really quite amazing to be able to step out the door, turn one or two corners, and have your pick of beautiful, historic, and bustling piazzas to be standing in the middle of.

Dinner in front of Santa Croce (the pasta has a really great tube shape: like spaghetti, but bigger and hallow in the center).

One of the nifty vending areas. You can get an entire pasta dish out of that machine!

Baked ricotta from the Coop grocery store

Our first lunch together in the new apartment!