La Biblioteca delle Oblate

Downtown Firenze is a big place and sometimes it can be nice to have a place to retreat to, somewhere where it doesn't cost money to sit down and where there is a guaranteed bathroom. Or maybe I just need a place to wait out a rainstorm (the weather is a bit sporadic in Firenze). And as a nerd-from-birth, a library has appeal.

So this is my batcave: La Biblioteca delle Oblate. It has everything a foreign exchange student needs. There are bathrooms, free seating, Italian students to attempt to blend in with, a gorgeous view from the third floor, and even a caffè. There is wifi too, if you sign up for a library card. It is close to the Duomo (the most gigantic building in Firenze), and so it is easy to find. I like that I'm able to pass as an Italian student, at least until someone attempts to talk to me.

Third floor of the Oblate

I like to get something from the caffè and sip it while I work on schoolwork, people watch, and admire the view from the third floor. The only problem with this plan is that Italian espresso drinks are super tiny! The first time that I went to this caffè, I ordered an espresso. I was surprised when they gave me a mere thimble's worth! (Not gonna lie... I might have an espresso addiction problem.)

So now my drink of choice is a marocchino. It is still tiny- it only fills a shot glass. But it is delicious- it's espresso topped with foam with cacao powder on top. And when I order it, I don't get called out as an American.

Un marocchino

I would prefer to order a cappuccino. I had one today and it was absolutely perfetto. But when I ordered it, the barista knew that I was American and started to speak in English. Italians only drink cappuccinos for breakfast. I thought that I would be okay at 11am, but apparently not. I got chocolate on mine, and I would highly recommend it. I will seriously wake up early to be able to drink this.

Un cappuccino

Do you have a batcave?