MY HOSTEL IS IN THE RED LIGHT DISTRICT!!!

Ahhh...I knew it was kind of shady, but last night I was out (admittedly late--don't worry, with nice people) and TOTALLY saw at least 3 prostitutes a block from my hostel. Also, walking earlier that day I saw a discarded...well, you figure out it! Oh, and two of the prostitutes were in drag. I mean, I saw some men in drag the day I arrived, but I just thought, well, that's Florence for you. NO--THAT'S NOT FLORENCE--that's the shady-ass neighborhood I'm staying in. Ahhhh!!!

Okay, I just had to get that off my chest. It's strange, because during the day the area, while kind of weird, seems pretty okay. There's a blockbuster video around the corner. Of course, there's also an abandoned building...Oh well.

So, last night I actually saw people, real people in my hostel. There were four people from Argentina, and three American girls. We all ended up having dinner together and then going down to the Duomo much later than I ever expected to be at the Duomo. Let's just say, Argentinians really know how to party. Let's also say that their partying generally ends with the singing of the National Anthem, very loudly, in the middle of the street, in the wee hours of the morning.

It was funny though, we met these two French guys who are in Florence for a few days and after we'd been talking to them for like two minutes, they stopped and bought some roses and had them sent over to these two girls they liked. It was just sooooo French. Then, they went over and chatted them up. Again, so French. I informed them how French it was, and they were surprised. One guy said (this should be read in a French accent, by the way): So, in Texas men are not romantic? Is this kind of thing not, how do you say, happening a lot? At which point I just LAUGHED OUT LOUD.

I realize that some people reading this, ahemmm--that's you mom--will be concerned about the prostitute thing, but really, during the day the area is pretty good. However, I will say this: If staying in a hostel in Florence, perhaps you shouldn't stay at Ciao Hostel. I mean, the kitchens are wonderful, but the prostitutes on the street corner do detract in some ways from the overall ambiance.