written by Amber Roldan for SPEL: Journalism
A 27-minute walk.
0.9 miles away from my apartment in the heart of the city center.
Where would it lead?
Would the noise fade? Would tourists disappear?
I typed “Chiesa di San Leonardo in Arcetri” into my phone as I descended four flights of stairs.
I love living in Santa Croce, but existing in such excitement can become overstimulating.
The walk started similarly enough to routes I have taken dozens of times before.
Past the basilica, over the river.
Usually, once I cross the river I turn left or right.
Left towards Piazzalle Michelangelo, or right towards Santo Spirito.
Today I went straight. Straight up a road I never noticed before.
A road I have passed and neglected countless times.
As I climbed up Via Di San Leonardo, the curved roads invited me to discover what they were hiding.
The further I climbed, the quieter it got.
Street noise was replaced by the sweet song of birds.
Do the birds not sing in the city center, or is it just too loud to hear?
As I continued my climb, my calves felt the impact of the increased elevation.
I passed a few locals: a couple holding hands. A woman walking her dog.
Should I be concerned that the further I get the more alone I am?
Why do I feel safer in the empty streets of a foreign country instead of crowded streets at home?
My lack of fear was both frightening and invigorating.
I stopped to take in what was in front of and behind me.
Unable to see the beginning or end of the street.
Like my study abroad experience, I knew what was at the beginning but not what lay ahead.
An orange tree sat perched in front of Chiesa di San Leonardo in Arcetri.
Full of bright promising fruit, the tree appeared untouched.
Oranges littered the sidewalk after falling from above.
No one to taste, but animals living close.
How can such a scenic street remain so untouched?
Walking the empty streets felt like a privilege.
A privilege that came with a promise.
A promise to not exploit.
Arcetri’s ambiguity allowed me to reflect on the last 12 weeks I spent living in Florence.
I think I’ll always remember the streets and serenity of Arcetri.
As I began my descent, I stopped in an alley with a gate overlooking the city.
Viewing such a vibrant city in this intimate way, filled me with immense gratitude.
Arcetri. A 27-minute walk.
0.9 miles from my apartment in the heart of the city center.
Over the river, past the basilica.
Where the noise fades and the tourists disappear.