Moving to Florence

Apartments in Florence: Opening Windows

noreply@blogger.com (flobugg) — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 18:44:00 +0000

Even though it's cold in most homes in the winter, open the windows for ten minutes a day. Change the air and let the humidity from drying clothes, the stagnant food smells from cooking and the germs from winter colds out into the world. It may be cold for a minute but a little fresh air is good for Florence apartments.

Pizza in Florence Part 2: Thin and Crispy

noreply@blogger.com (flobugg) — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 17:47:00 +0000

La Luna Pizzeria

Although I am a fan of high and soft crust every once and a while I do enjoy a thin, crispy pizza. You’ll need a reservation for Antica Porta and even then you might have to wait, at least that’s what happened to my party the first time I tried it. It’s a crazy, bustling, hot and rather loud restaurant with interesting choices, I ate the truffle and burrata pizza which was delish. At La Rotunda near Porta al Prato they have all of the traditional choices and it’s a lively and fun restaurant with live music downstairs in the bar. Right next to La Rotunda is Funiculi which features unique topping choices and a fun and bright atmosphere. On the other side of town you’ll find the multi-roomed La Luna Pizzeria, There have a lunch special; pizza, coke and espresso and Mondays, pizza non stop, all you can eat pizza; both specials are 7 euro. With plenty of variety , good prices and quick service it’s the perfect place to stop for a midday break during Saturday shopping.

Permesso di Soggiorno: So They Do Ask For It...

noreply@blogger.com (flobugg) — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 17:26:00 +0000

In all my years flying to and from Florence, no customs officer has ever asked me for my permesso di soggiorno.... until now. Theoretically when you re-enter the country, customs should check your permesso di soggiorno but they hardly ever do. This time I was asked if I had it because the officer saw that last year's visa had expired. I said not yet and directed the officer to look at my latest, still valid, visa. She promptly stamped the visa to show the date of entry into the Schengen area and let me go. So off to the questura, within eight days of that stamp, I go.
If I were to leave the country and re-enter again and an officer asked me for the permesso di soggiorno, I could show the receipt from the post office as proof that I applied with the eight days of my entry stamp. So fold it up, staple or glue your receipt inside your passport when travelling in and out of the country just in case someone decides to do their job.
This happened in Amsterdam which adds Holland to my list of strict European countries where customs officers actually do their jobs. So if you find yourself in a legal grey area, avoid flying through London or Amsterdam to get to Florence; try Paris or Frankfurt instead.

Visa: Family Reunion

noreply@blogger.com (flobugg) — Sat, 24 Dec 2011 02:57:00 +0000

Moving to Florence is getting back on track, focused for the new year, with much more useful information. I probably said it once before but I only post about what I know so here's the first of many posts about moving to Florence through marriage. If you marry an Italian citizen OR any EU citizen that is a resident in Italy, you can petition to join them in Italy. I'll start with getting married, the subsequent family visa and permesso di soggiorno and finally citizenship.

It is not a stretch to say that "getting things done" in the most general of ways is easier in the US and probably Canada. All of us American citizens know that we can look online for information, call and ask a question or even head down to the main office and check things out. Most of the time we'll get the official line and not have to worry about whether or not it's right or wrong . We take this for granted until we move to Italy.
Based on what I experienced and questura horror stories I've heard, I'm going out on my limb to say that in my opinion, it is much easier to bring your fiance to the US and get married there. The registration, the license, the everything seems so much easier than doing it in Italy. You want to avoid the questura at all costs and if you are marrying in Florence it will become your second home.

When you marry in your home country you also have the advantage of being completely in your rights and not in violation of any laws. As an expat, in general, and especially if you are an illegal expat in Florence, the burden is on you to explain what in the world you are doing and that you are not getting married just to legalize yourself. At home it's no questions asked. You go to the registrar, pay your money and get your license.

State marriage laws vary but a quick check your state's website or an informational website will get you all of the information you need.

Once married, it's time for your visa. You need the following documents

Long stay visa application (available on consulate website)
One passport photo
Copy of Marriage Certificate
Copy of Spouse's Passport ( picture and signature pages)
Declaration from Spouse ( available on consulate website)
Italian Registration of Marriage - process varies by consulate but you will usually need to get a long form copy of your marriage certificate, get it notarized and stamped, take it to the Apostille office to get another stamp and then send it off to the comune where your spouse is a resident.

The only one that takes a bit of time to get is your marriage registration in Italy. It can take up to three weeks for them to register your marriage and send it the home address in Italy.

The family reunion visa is free, because you know, you're practically Italian and shouldn't take more than 2 weeks. It's good for 1 year and affords you all the rights of an Italian citizen. The right to work, pension, health care, residency etc.

Now you could go on like this for years but after 2 you may apply for citizenship, 3 if you and your husband live abroad.

Next step, move to Florence ...

Working Legally in Italy: Visa

noreply@blogger.com (flobugg) — Sat, 24 Dec 2011 02:44:00 +0000

The visa issue is almost like a nursery rhyme. You can’t get a work visa without a job and you can’t get a job without a work visa. It’s the hardest part of moving to Florence, if and how to get a work visa. Everyone has their own experience but if you are not already advanced in your career with a company that has an office in Florence or have Italian heritage with which you can obtain dual citizenship, it’s not easy to figure it all out. Many have tried, failed, and given up.

Down to the very basic law of it all, everyone who is not Italian or does not have citizenship in one of the European Union countries needs to have a work or study visa in order to work in Florence. Now down to the reality of it… many, many jobs are available with employers who just don’t care that much about that law. They would care if you were from Algeria or Senegal or Sri Lanka but an American or Canadian is harmless, wouldn’t hurt a fly or do anything wrong so they ignore the issue and pay you under the table. In general immigration laws are becoming more stringent across the European Union including Italy. There are bills circulating in parliament that will have heavy penalties for anyone hiring or renting to a foreigner without the proper documentation but because Florence is a town full of tourists and students, because Florence receives enormous infusions of cash from its visitors, the city seems to turn a blind eye to much of the “black market” jobs.

If you can’t get hired by an American company, have an Italian company that will sponsor you or if you have no possibility to get EU or Italian citizenship there are three basic ways to work legally in Italy;

Student Visa. A study visa allows you to work 20 hours a week but many employers will ignore the hours and hire you full time.
Independent Work Visa. A non subordinate independent work visa which allows you to work as a contractor in Italy.
Get Married. It’s that simple

Pizza in Florence Part 1: Thick and Doughy

noreply@blogger.com (flobugg) — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 18:30:00 +0000

I wouldn't be doing anyone any favors by reviewing every restaurant I've ever been to here because I'm a picky eater. But I do know food, at least I know the things that I really like. So here is the first of the things I really like to eat , pizza, and where to get it in Florence. I'll be continually updating as I eat my way through the city.
Honestly it kind pains me to reveal this secret although it's hardly a secret to most but I like to think so sometimes. Cafe Italiano has the best pizza in town. As you are sitting squeezed between the wall and the strangers at the next table watching the pizzaiolo make your pizza and sing along to Britney Spears, you will think who in the world told me to come to this place. Then your pizza will come, steaming hot, with the overwhelming smell of fresh tomato and a high fluffy crust and you'll just know, I was right. You'll be amazed at how the crust melts in your mouth and at the taste of the fresh olive oil that was drizzled over it as it came out of the oven. You'll then understand why you waited half an hour for an uncomfortable table in this hole in the wall and paid 8 euro for a pizza margherita. With only three choices, you won't want to go to Cafe Italiano if you want a pizza topped with a ton of stuff but it's perfect if you want as authentic of a pizza as you can get in Florence. If you don't feel like waiting ( and there is always a wait) you can get the same pizza around the corner at Bistro SUD but it'll cost you one euro more.
Competing with my favorite place is Rosso Pomodoro. It's a chain restaurant that you'll find all over Italy and Europe but its origins are Napoletano. The Florence branch happens to be run exceptionally well by friendly staff and a great pizzaiolo. Pizza choices are not your run of the mill standards and they use locally produced ingredients.
My most recent discovery is La Beppe Fioraia. Not only is it a lovely restaurant removed from the touristic center, great for dates and groups, the pizza amazing. Gusto Pizza is another limited menu place with really authentic pizza. I'm begrudged to put il Pizzaiolo on my list because the service is the worst I've ever experienced. The atmosphere is cramped and not in a fun or interesting way, there is always a line and they rush you out of the place American style but I can't deny the pizza is good.
I've heard many people start to complain about Pizza Man because they have become a chain, opening many locations around town but there's no denying the quality of the pizza. The original pizzaiolo even completes in pizza making competitions around the world. All of the locations are outside the city center and worth the trip.

Gucci Museum: Gucci Museo

noreply@blogger.com (flobugg) — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 17:24:00 +0000

Have to admit to being a bit disappointed by the Gucci Museo. The museum chronicles the luxury brand's most iconic creations from luggage to red carpet dresses to prints and leisure items but it lacks a sense of history. Perhaps the brand wants to distance itself from the crazy descendants of it's creator but that leaves non fashion buffs with no context. I expected a written history of the brand, pictures or video of artisans at work, famous people in Gucci. There are a few things here and there of that nature but mostly just bags and dresses.
Unless you are a hardcore fashionista, skip the museum and go straight to the cafe and bookstore. Yes, the coffee is 3 euro but the ambiance is luxury and it comes with cookies and a Gucci logo shaped sugar.

Permesso di Soggiorno: A Day at the Questura - Part One

noreply@blogger.com (flobugg) — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 08:48:00 +0000

This post is a lesson in the art of il far niente which isn't always dolce. It's not all Julia Roberts sitting in a sun-filled Roman apartment blissfully reading the paper. It also means spending hours in a florescent bulbed, bland room surrounded by crying babies from every corner of the world waiting for a bureaucrat to finish talking to her mom so she get on with her job. After a trip to the post office discussed in the post Permesso di Soggiorno: Permit of Stay, you are given an appointment to go the questura with your passport, four passport sized photographs and all of your supporting documentation. If you miss your appointment for any reason, don't worry; I missed my appointment because I was sick, went out of the country and basically forgot about it. Five months after my initial appointment, I finally remembered that I'd better go get my permesso. One of the positives of things not functioning well is that you can get away with it on your end too.
Go early, 7:30 or 8 am and bring the paper with your appointment on it. You will stand in line and show one of the officers your paper. You get sent into a different line or get handed a number. You will get yelled at and abused. The carabinieri that work there really seem like the most dissatisfied and miserable people in the world. Once you have your number, if you are not one of the first you can go around the corner to Il Re Gelato to get a brioche or coffee. The numbers will pass by super, super slow. I was there at 7:30 in the morning and didn't get seen until after 12. I was given a little bit of grief for not coming during my appointment and was asked to come back with other documents. So basically nothing got done and it is very likely that nothing will get done after a whole morning there. My best advice is to be as sure as possible that you have everything although surprises can and will arise, hence my scheduled return trip.
Part Two to come ...

Student Visa Renewal

noreply@blogger.com (flobugg) — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 08:24:00 +0000

One of the more annoying parts of trying to keep legal status while living in Florence is returning home to get a new visa. One way around always having to start over again is getting a one year student visa. If you have a one year student visa and the subsequent permesso di soggiorno, you can simply renew it at the questura rather than going home to get a new visa. Well, perhaps not simply but it sure beats flying to the United States to do the process all over again. So if you are planning a move to Florence using a student visa, spend the extra money to get a one year visa.; it will make it easier to stay another year. However, you can only renew your student permesso di soggiorno at the Florence questura for three years.

Amanda Knox is Free

noreply@blogger.com (flobugg) — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 07:59:00 +0000

After a year long appeal Amanda Knox is free and I have to say that after watching the coverage in the US and living through the coverage here in Italy, I'm convinced that she's innocent. Italians don't seem to be so sure of that, think Casey Anthony type outrage. Some of the comments last night on Porta a Porta were just ridiculous. Talking to Knox's lawyers, the guests of the show were obsessed with the fact that she accused the owner of the bar where she worked of the murder. She later wrote a note to the court that she was confused and didn't know if what she had said during her 50 hour interrogation was actually true. They were going on an on about why she didn't tell the court that he was innocent before and how an innocent person doesn't try to accuse someone else. After a 50 hour interrogation in another language that I don't speak I would probably let the police put words in my mouth too. They actually held up the conviction for slander but they should punish the police instead for not following protocol. They didn't even give the poor girl a translator. I mean, all of us expats know just how much can get lost in translation. I'm genuinely happy for the girl, what a nightmare. This case really sums up that phrase my friend once told me; Italy is a paradise for foreigners until there's a problem. It's true for Amanda who spent four years in jail and for Meredith who is unfortunately dead.

Subway in Florence

noreply@blogger.com (flobugg) — Mon, 25 Jul 2011 11:12:00 +0000

I knew something else was coming. I thought it was going to be Starbucks, turns out it's a Subway. Although I'm totally against the Americanization of Florence, I will be a frequent visitor there, chowing down on a 6" tuna salad sandwich. I can't resist those things.

Travel: Group Trips

noreply@blogger.com (flobugg) — Thu, 30 Jun 2011 18:04:00 +0000

I hate organized travel. I don't like to be forced to see certain things or be around people I don't know but my new favorite thing just happens to be organized Italian travel. What better way to meet new young and vibrant people, practice your Italian and go somewhere new. Somehow it doesn't count as a cop out if you are doing it for those reasons.
Of course there are the big tour operators like Made in Italy but try finding a local association that takes members on organized trips. From student groups like AEGEE to Senior Centers, there's something for everyone.
Some of the more popular group trips are skiing trips (settimana bianca), the islands especially Sardegna and long European bus trips if you can handle it.

The Firenze Card

noreply@blogger.com (flobugg) — Sun, 19 Jun 2011 11:41:00 +0000

Think you can visit 33 museums in 3 days? Then the Firenze Card is for you. I've been dying for the city to get serious about an integrated system for all of the museums in Florence but I'm thoroughly disappointed by this effort. It's impossible to visit even half of the museums in 3 days. It's nearly impossible to visit the 10 museums you have to see in order to make the investment worth it. I cannot imagine all of the money the Polo Museale is going to make off of tourists who buy this card and only end up making it to the Uffizi and Accademia. If you include paying for reservations for those two museums that's still a 50 euro card for 22 euro worth of museum tickets. Even if you add all of the Pitti museums it still doesn't make up the difference and the other museums on the list cost mostly 5, 4 and 2 euro.
It should be 35 euro and 3 days or 50 euro and 5 days. If only I were in charge....

Hard Rock Cafe Has Arrived in Florence

noreply@blogger.com (flobugg) — Tue, 14 Jun 2011 14:29:00 +0000

First Ben and Jerry's, then the Jersey Shore and now the Hard Rock Cafe in Florence. Starbucks is surely next....

Bad Impressions 2

noreply@blogger.com (flobugg) — Thu, 17 Feb 2011 19:35:00 +0000

Outside of the University of Florence cafeteria, yet another piece of evidence proving the bad impression many students leave behind after they have had their fun getting wasted, running around half naked and acting crazy in the streets of Florence. I have to kind of agree with the gentleman that wrote this; people treat Florence like Vegas; what happens here stays here but it's a tiny town and the very next semester new girls have to live up to or play down the reputation left from the previous semester.
Just a little more discretion goes a long way.
Thankfully, this was promptly painted over a week after I took the pictures.

Amanda Knox's Story in the States

noreply@blogger.com (flobugg) — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 04:11:00 +0000

Amanda Knox's parents were on Oprah today and for the first time since the trial I actually think Amanda Knox might be innocent. If you've just arrived in Italy and haven't heard the story yet Amanda Knox, a study abroad student from Seattle was arrested, convicted and sentenced to 26 years in prison for killing her roommate along with her Italian boyfriend. The Italian press covered the story like white on rice for more than a year, dissecting every part of Amanda Knox's personal life from her most frivolous habits to her sex life. The media painted a picture of a horrific crime and two seemingly nerdy students who went crazy and slit their friend's throat. I watched the coverage (because you couldn't avoid it) and came to the conclusion that she had to have done SOMETHING wrong; there was no way she wasn't involved at all. She changed her story many times, pointed the finger at an innocent man, she took up with an Italian boy only weeks after arriving in Perugia, she had sexy pictures all over her myspace page and she smoked marijuana the night her roommate was killed. All of the inconsistencies and her personality portrayed in the media led me to believe that she was guilty of something. Meanwhile back in the US, I find out that the story is completely different. Amanda was supposedly coerced by the police, questioned all night without an interpreter or council, the excerpts from her myspace page were taken out of context i.e a short story she posted was presented as a personal journal instead of a work of fiction and she readily admitted to her drug use from the beginning. Her parents on Oprah put up a convincing theory of how the media influenced the trial. Having only experienced the Italian media's coverage up until now, I have to agree. How many times has something I said been lost in translation; imagine a 14 hour questioning session with the carabinieri without an interpreter. It would be difficult even for an advanced speaker. The prosecutor of the case was himself on trial for abuse of power during the trial, she was refused entry into the house to get her things and then later portrayed as unremorseful because she went shopping and the police pressed her to hypothesize possible suspects.
So what's the message us expats and study abroad students can take away from Amanda's ordeal? Know your rights. Italian law enforcement can seem informal and their unfamiliar procedures can throw you off. If you get questioned by the police insist on an interpreter, a lawyer, and a representative from your consulate or school. Interrogations are supposed to be recorded and physical contact is not allowed. Wrongful convictions are a part of every justice system in the world and frankly it could be much worse for her as far as jails go but this case proves that it is entirely possible to get bum rushed into a conviction in Italy just as it is in the US.

You Know You Studied Abroad in Florence, Italy When...

noreply@blogger.com (flobugg) — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 16:04:00 +0000

1. When you go back home, people ask you why you move your hands so much when you talk.
2. You know the best place to get a gelato and you go there, Every Day.
3. "Sciopero" was one of the first words you learned and you are used to having to walk home every now and then because of all the strikes.
4. Eating spaghetti every day is no big deal.
5. You're not surprised when someone tells you he ate a whole pizza by himself.
6. You have breakfast at a bar but you're not an alcoholic.
7. A church at every corner looks just about right.
8. You can spot Italian tourists from a mile away from the name brand sunglasses, the Invicta backpack and that Italian shade of tan
9. Food has become one of your major concerns.
10. Yelling to friends in the street is commonplace.
11. You’ve realized that the dumb looking ,smiley, had hair follicle replacement and tanned man you see all the time on TV is in fact, head of the country.
12. You're surprised to see that your favorite game show at home doesn't have half naked girls dancing on it
13. Listening to RDS (“Radio Dimensione Suono: 100% Grandi Successi”) has become a pleasure.
14. You’ve robbed a bike or you at least have the number of a guy whose job is to steal bikes in your phone.
15. Road signs are a joke to you, too.
16. You’ve experienced grappa and limoncello on the same night and you didn’t throw up.
17. You discovered that “sblanca” people on the street in Peruvian dashiki’s with dogs asking for money and playing the guitar aren’t at all poor.
18. You hit all the clubs in town within the first 3 weeks.
19. You know someone who knows someone who can do what you want to be done.
20. It takes you 2 hours to hang up your phone (ciao... cia-ciao ! ... si, si...ciao! un bacio...cia-ciao... mmh... ciao bella... etc.)
21. It takes you less than 15 seconds to drink a burning hot espresso.
22. You're not shocked that a 60 year old wears mini skirts.
23. You're not shocked that a 6 year old wears mini skirts.
24. You think paying 9 euros for a pizza is expensive.
25. You look both ways before crossing a street (even if the street is one-way).
26. You're used to being surrounded by old ladies with giant fur coats.
27. You hate the "Questura" because they made you go, waste a whole day and pay 60 euro and you NEVER got your "Permesso di Soggiorno" even after staying for 6 months in Italy and realizing you could've stayed in the country as an illegal resident and nobody would've given a damn anyway.
28. When you finally receive your "Permesso di Soggiorno" it has already expired
29. You are not shocked anymore when you hear different prices for the same gelato.
30. You've tried to send a package at the post office for a week - and failed.
31. You understand the concept that for every law there is an equal and contrary law.
32. You wait 20+ minutes for the bus. Then 3 buses show up at the same time.
33. When you don't know something, you say "boh".
34. If you don’t like an answer, you ask someone else.
35. You no longer understand what it means to be late.

Permesso di Soggiorno: Permit of Stay

noreply@blogger.com (flobugg) — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 15:32:00 +0000

The permesso di soggiorno or permit of stay is the document that confirms that you have a visa and are legally able to stay in Italy for more than 90 days. Basically it’s just a way to register your presence in the country with the local authorities. The Permesso di Soggiorno cannot be obtained without a visa. First comes the visa then the permesso. Within 8 days of your arrival in Florence you must go to the post office to pick up the Permesso di Soggiorno Kit. At the main post office in Piazza della Repubblica or at Posta Nuova in via Verdi, go to the sportello amico. You don’t have to take a number, just go to the counter and ask for “il kit del permesso di soggiorno” for non EU citizens.

The paperwork seems a little daunting when you first see it but keep in mind you only need to fill out the first three pages and it’s all just basic information: your name, home address, birth city, sex, marital status, nationality, passport number, visa number, visa issue and expiration date, Florence address, etc.

You can find the entire translation here and a Florence student specific example: page 1, page 2, page 3 and another example (Rome) if you want to compare.

Not so long ago you needed a photocopy of your entire passport, every page even if there was nothing on it; thank goodness they changed that stupid rule. Now you only need the picture, signature and visa page. You also need a copy of your credit card, proof of insurance and all of the supporting documents (the letter from your language school if you have a student visa or your work contract if you have a work visa) you used to get your visa at home… STAMPED ORIGINALS. Do not forget to ASK that they be returned to you by the Italian embassy/consulate in the states.

Once you have filled out your forms and have all of your supporting documents you need to purchase a marca da bollo (state tax stamp) for 14.62€ at any tabacchi and place it at the top of page one. You then return to the sportello amico at the post office and submit all of your documents. At the posta you will pay the Ministry of Finance charge of 30€ and the Posta Italiana administrative fee of 27.50€. They will take your completed kit and give you an appointment at the Questura: Ufficio Immigrazione Sportelli where you will wait in line for hours to be fingerprinted and photographed and get another appointment approx. one month later in order to get your actual permesso. Get there early…

In the meantime the receipt from the post office serves as your permesso di soggiorno so hang on to it.

Florence Jobs: Study Abroad

noreply@blogger.com (flobugg) — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 13:51:00 +0000

Jobs in the international education industry are very competitive and sought after and usually don’t open up very often. Once someone has a job they rarely leave it even if it means not advancing in their career ; sometimes just living your dream life in Florence is enough. Most study abroad programs, private language schools, and third party providers need support staff that are familiar with the language and city to help organize their programs and provide moral support for their students. Support staff includes resident directors, housing coordinators, and social activity planners. You do things like accompany students in case of emergencies (medical or legal), participate in group trips, dinners and events, plan, organize and lead orientations or group activities, arrange housing, and support the teaching staff. In order to get these types of jobs you have to have studied or lived in Italy for at least a year, speak fluent Italian and have some kind of experience with students. My first job in study abroad I only had student class president under my belt and 4 years experience studying and living in Florence but it was enough to get my foot in the door. If you have been a RA or participated in your student government at home or abroad you’ll have a leg up on other entry level applicants. Many of the employers require a master’s degree in order to ensure that candidates have the necessary language requirement as many people applying for these jobs either did a masters in Italy or have a masters in Italian, but it’s not absolutely necessary if you speak the language.

If you have plans to participate in a study abroad program you can start to familiarize yourself with the industry during your program. Get to know the staff, help plan and organize activities, and shadow the staff to gather information about their job. University programs often hire alumni in support staff positions. Continuing your education in Italy is also a good way to build your resume; certificate programs from private Italian schools, Fulbright programs, a master’s degree from an Italian institution or a US program that includes a study abroad component.

I also don’t rule out that it might be easier to start in the private sector or with third party providers gaining experience with the building and selling of study abroad programs.

You can search for these jobs on Higher Ed, NAFSA, and by signing up for SECCUSS Listserve

Apartments in Florence: Half a Scam

noreply@blogger.com (flobugg) — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 11:04:00 +0000

I always knew that Casa Veloce was a bit of a scam but now I have confirmation. After putting an advertisement to sublet my place for 3 months on kijiji they called to offer to share my announcement with their clients. The only problem is that the ad is on a public and free classifieds website and Casa Veloce charges 160 euro to see their listings. Word of warning, I'm absolutely sure that half the listings with Casa Veloce are already out there for free.

Bad Impressions

noreply@blogger.com (flobugg) — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 13:59:00 +0000

I'm getting older so I always think things are worse than when I was younger but if I really think about it, they aren't really; I just have a different perspective. One thing that has not changed about Florence is the impression locals, guys especially have about American girls. Now I just found evidence that other Europeans living, studying or working here feel the same way and I quote from a forum board.

"there are loads of American girls moving to Florence to spend a year studing arts while showing their muffin tops in the local pubs every evening... you'll shag every day mate!

All the more reason to try and fit in a little more

Another New Year's Eve Concert

noreply@blogger.com (flobugg) — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 15:56:00 +0000

In celebration of the new 37 minute fast train to Bologna from Florence the two cities have organized a double concert this Thursday for New Year's Eve. From 9:30 pm to 1:30 am in front of the train station Lucio Dalla and Irene Grande will perform while Negrita and Stadio will perform in Bologna and then Negrita will take the alta velocita train and perform in Florence too. Pretty neat trick if you ask me and sounds like a lot of fun.

Florence's New Year' Eve Concert

noreply@blogger.com (flobugg) — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 21:52:00 +0000

I've really missed all of the events the city used to organize in the squares around town before this economic crisis. Fortunately the New Year's Eve Concert is back. December 31st, at 11pm in Piazza delle Signoria with Palazzo Vecchio as a backdrop, The Donestk Symphonic Orchestra from Ukraine will bring us into the new year with a little Strauss, Bizet and Offenbach. Lovely

Florence Jobs: Retail

noreply@blogger.com (flobugg) — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 13:02:00 +0000

There’s nothing better for a store in the center than an English speaker that can help the tourists constantly flooding in. At the beginning of the winter and summer season stores are almost always looking for salespeople, especially the very touristy retail establishments in the center of town. It is best if you have some experience but probably not necessary. They will require that you speak some Italian but they are mostly concerned that you speak other foreign languages and of course English.

The stands and stores in San Lorenzo also provide a steady stream of work for those first starting out in Florence and are constantly changing staff. The best way to get one of these jobs is to pound the pavement with your CV, DON’T forget the picture in the top right-hand corner, appearance makes a big difference to them. Approach stores that have a sign in the window looking for salespeople but also try stores that aren’t specifically advertising as they might like you or be looking for someone. A lot of places don’t advertise for staff but usually take on friends or acquaintances.

As with all job searches, everyone that you know should know that you are looking for a job. You can even ask store owners that you approach if they know of anyone looking to hire.

Moving to Florence: My Opinion

noreply@blogger.com (flobugg) — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 10:06:00 +0000

Someone who has been reading this blog recently asked for my straight out opinion on how they should plan their move. There are so many different paths to go depending on your situation so I try to give all the options possible, everything I did and everything I know others did to make a life for themselves in Florence and then let you decide what will work best.
If I had to choose my "go to plan" would be to get a student visa, study Italian if needed or do an internship, and use that time to network and find a job. It takes the most planning ahead and there's the financial burden but having that option to work legally will make you money in the end and make the transition much easier.
So there it is out of all the things I ever heard of people doing that's the one I would choose.
Good luck