Episode 16
instradamento conducono a portafoglio = all roads will lead back to your wallet
The brand name street in Florence is Via de' Tornabuoni.
This street has all the Chanel, Versace, Gucci, Prada, plus some of the private fashion houses you never heard of but equally expensive. It is a feast to the eyes of the beholders. For us poor souls, we can only stand outside looking in, wondering how the rich would behave. Of course there are other less expensive shops along the way. Florence is famous for its leather goods. There are numerous leather shops, shoe stores, luggage shops squeezing in between food shops and gelato emporiums.
The dream of every woman Resting her feet before Round2 Gelato! A great name for an unborn child
I prefer the markets. There are leather markets and food markets in Florence. There is one that starts out with a leather market, and then ends with a food market.
Anything you can imagine made of leather can be found here. Belts, jackets, gloves; are all included. Mind you, the prices might not be as cheap as you wished for but, they were colourful, vibrant, beautiful to own.
There were more than 1 leather markets in Florence. There is one at the back of the main shopping street. Just pay some attention and you will not miss it.
At the end of the leather market was the food market. As usual, it is a world fair of flavours and the colors will attract you well.
When you are in Florence, you have to try some of the real local flavours. Balsamic vinegar is famous where it is produced closed to the
city. Actually Balsamic vinegar comes from grape skin and seeds. They are also stored in wooden casks and there they do their fermentation. Aged vinegar are worth their weight in gold. Like wine, the smoothness and taste of balsamic vinegar go hand in hand with age. The longer they are stored the thicker and sweeter they become. There is quite a different between the young 2 yr old and then 4 years and then 8 years and also the 12 years. Sampling of the vinegar at the shops is welcome and the merchants have lovely little displays of crackers and bread to allow you the real taste. Balsamic vinegar from Modena
My wife had her mind set on the vinegar and we started sampling different types and different age of vinegar around the market. You try to taste 4 types of vinegar at 1 stall and before you know it; you tongue is the same color as the vinegar.
I have to get out of there before I turned black – the same color as the vinegar. We settled on the 8 year old. The price was reasonable. Apparantly, the 12 year old ones at present at 85euro for 100 ml. But they are some tasty, syrupy, sweet, and aromatic. Indeed, this is a wonderful ingredients for sauces, dressings, and condiments.
Just a thought; watch out for shops with sale signs. Sometimes their prices after deep discount can beat the prices of the street vendors. I was looking at a piece of luggage at a shop with 60% discount and the price was better than the ones offered at the market. When my wife asked me why I wanted another piece of luggage, I told her we would need another suit case for all the vinegar, olive oil and anchovy she was going to buy.
Telling the truth is for personal satisfaction only, the result can be deadly. I rest my case.