OldSaw
The wife's investment
Livorno & Florence
Again didnt waste any time in Livorno. Got on the bus and headed for Florence. We started at Santa Croce, or as MBW called it Jim Croce square, and worked our way to Santa Maria Novella. On the way I stopped at every farmacia that I saw and asked for Proraso. Most had Gillette and Noxema on display. It almost seemed like they kept the Proraso hidden. Then I asked for the one in the red tube and no one had it.
Finally we arrived at Santa Maria Novella.
View attachment 9342
It was kind of hard to find. I thought it was part of the cathedral, but it was actually around the corner. Due to construction and language barriers we had to get directions twice and finally found it. We walked in to find a rather dimly lit store that looked more like a jewelers than a farmacia.
View attachment 9343
After walking about the two rooms for a few minutes and taking a few pictures I stood in line at the counter to wait my turn to be ignored. It was the most anti sales place I had been in since we arrived. Back at the leather store you couldnt get six feet in the place without being draped in leather and told how magnificent it looks on you. It wasnt that I wanted someone to push products down my throat, but at least make me feel good about the purchase, make me want more, convince me how much I will enjoy using this stuff. Well that didnt happen. So for 25 Euro I bought a 100 ml tub of lavenda pre-dopo-barba, pre shave cream, and another 30 or so Euro got a 100 ml bottle of lavenda after shave lotion.
View attachment 9344
I wasnt sure what the shelf life was on this stuff and since the guys back at the leather shop relieved me of most of the money I had left that was the extent of what I bought. I still have nearly a full 250 ml tub of crema da barba so now the set is complete. The exchange rate wasnt very favorable either. So even though I really like this stuff, I left the place feeling a little let down. I couldnt even use what I bought because as soon as we got back to the ship we had to pack all of our checked bags and put them in the hall for departure.
I saw a few barber shops while we were there but they were all closed, so getting a straight shave was right out. I wish this was not the last day because I had really built it up in my head and now it is over. Unfortunately, in the end, I see Gillette Fusion and gel taking over the shave world. I will continue to search out shave products in my travels, but have finally settled on the fact that the internet is our best friend for buying the best shave products.
Again didnt waste any time in Livorno. Got on the bus and headed for Florence. We started at Santa Croce, or as MBW called it Jim Croce square, and worked our way to Santa Maria Novella. On the way I stopped at every farmacia that I saw and asked for Proraso. Most had Gillette and Noxema on display. It almost seemed like they kept the Proraso hidden. Then I asked for the one in the red tube and no one had it.
Finally we arrived at Santa Maria Novella.
View attachment 9342
It was kind of hard to find. I thought it was part of the cathedral, but it was actually around the corner. Due to construction and language barriers we had to get directions twice and finally found it. We walked in to find a rather dimly lit store that looked more like a jewelers than a farmacia.
View attachment 9343
After walking about the two rooms for a few minutes and taking a few pictures I stood in line at the counter to wait my turn to be ignored. It was the most anti sales place I had been in since we arrived. Back at the leather store you couldnt get six feet in the place without being draped in leather and told how magnificent it looks on you. It wasnt that I wanted someone to push products down my throat, but at least make me feel good about the purchase, make me want more, convince me how much I will enjoy using this stuff. Well that didnt happen. So for 25 Euro I bought a 100 ml tub of lavenda pre-dopo-barba, pre shave cream, and another 30 or so Euro got a 100 ml bottle of lavenda after shave lotion.
View attachment 9344
I wasnt sure what the shelf life was on this stuff and since the guys back at the leather shop relieved me of most of the money I had left that was the extent of what I bought. I still have nearly a full 250 ml tub of crema da barba so now the set is complete. The exchange rate wasnt very favorable either. So even though I really like this stuff, I left the place feeling a little let down. I couldnt even use what I bought because as soon as we got back to the ship we had to pack all of our checked bags and put them in the hall for departure.
I saw a few barber shops while we were there but they were all closed, so getting a straight shave was right out. I wish this was not the last day because I had really built it up in my head and now it is over. Unfortunately, in the end, I see Gillette Fusion and gel taking over the shave world. I will continue to search out shave products in my travels, but have finally settled on the fact that the internet is our best friend for buying the best shave products.
