Today in Florence it was hot. And by hot I don't mean really warm and toasty, or even baking, I mean brutal, melting heat. Sure the high was only 97 degrees, but combine that with some humidity and being outside is almost unbearable. I can stand temperatures that high in a dry climate but the humidity kills me- I detest it! Maybe I am just a total wimp when it comes to heat (and I'll be the first to admit that I would rather be cold than hot) but when there is no air conditioning inside (or air conditioning that actually works well) and you go from a warm building out into the muggy heat it is hard to be anything less than miserable. So what do you when you are walking home in such heat? Get gelato! I stopped on my way home from the archives at a gelateria that a friend recommended to me and got a small cup of ciccolato fondente (dark chocolate) and crema (cream). Maybe it was just because it was so hot outside, or maybe it was because I was hungry, but I think this was the best gelato I have ever tasted. I have tried many different gelaterias in Italy and in other places, and I have had some great gelato. But this was just heavenly! The flavor of the dark chocolate was so rich and amazing . . . I don't even know how to describe it! It was the perfect treat to keep me cool on the way home. Here is the aftermath:


These high temperatures are set to continue all week, and I guarantee that it will take all my will power not to stop at this place every day. Wish me luck!