Today was a travel day and I had an enjoyable and uneventful train ride to Florence. I found my hotel easily enough (more on that in a future posting – this is a great hotel!) and after getting settled, took a walk to find lunch. Sightseeing in earnest will start tomorrow, so in the meantime, I thought I would amuse you fellow travelers with an accounting of some cultural peculiarities. - Tabacchi shops are the convenience stores of Italy. As the name suggests, they sell tobacco products, but they also sell all manner of essentials including bus tickets, phone cards, lotto tickets, candy, lighters and postage stamps. You must buy your bus ticket at a Tabacchi – you can't buy one on the bus or pay cash. -When paying for something at a tabacchi, gelato store or cafe, don't hand the money directly to the seller. Instead, place your money in the small tray or dish that sits adjacent to the cash register. The seller will pick it up from there and place your change...