Awareness

Heading up to the train station from the Gould is not difficult, but sometimes what you see...is. A late twenty-something playing an accordion while tapping his right foot to keep rhythm. He is dressed in a worn and dirty stripped shirt. A tiny coffee cup sits at his feet. He looks like he is enjoying the music he plays. It sounds soothing at first, but listening longer a twang of pain resonates. Walk further along the side of the Santa Maria Novella, a couple artists recreating a Vermeer and a Botticelli. You ask yourself, "Why don't they create their own works of art instead of duplicating for tourists sake?" Forking over Euros is difficult when studying abroad and you never know where that money will go. Down the stairs and into the tunnel, an older woman covered in shrouds of dark toned clothing bows her head and hold out a tiny cup. A glance inside, maybe 40 cents. As you climb up the stairs and into the train station you notice a different change of pace. People moving quickly to catch trains and loved ones saying "Ciao!" Those arriving in Florence are met with many kiosks and, of course, McDonalds.

The last station before departing the station is a tiny place called "forexchange". These tiny offices can be seen throughout Florence, but this office was intriguing, mainly because of the woman who sat behind the glass in a very small room without air conditioning with a broken fan. The first time I met her I had to catch a train, but asked if she'd be available for an interview.

A few days later I discovered forexchange woman had a name, Clíona. She informed me however, that she only had five minutes to spare as she exited her booth. We meandered over to an ashtray where she asked if I'd like a cigarette. I politely declined as she lit up. Clíona, now native to Florence, was born in Ireland. Her Irish accent complimented her answers really well. The Irish native traveled to Italy for the holidays occasionally, but spent three months in Florence. "I fell in love with the city" said Clíona as smoke encircled her. She studied languages and computer science. Clíona speaks Irish, English, Gaidhlic (a combination of Scottish and Irish), French, a bit of German and Italian. Her broad spectrum of languages has helped her communicate effectively with tourists who come to forexchange, which can cash travelers checks. "Knowing languages has helped me get away with a lot more" confessed Clíona. She mentions that she was able to get great discounts. Her advice to students traveling abroad to always stay in groups if possible. "Just enjoy yourself and be open" said Clíona. She finds that Italians respect tourists more if you at least ask them if they speak English. Even trying to speak Italian helps too. Her favorite place to hang out in Florence is an Australian pub by Santa Croce.