Free Hugs

     A couple weeks ago I had searched on Couchsurfing for any events coming up in Florence that sounded cool and I saw one called "Free Hugs" so I signed up and brought Lizzy along! We met at Piazza Signoria, and got acquainted while waiting for everyone to show up. We were so excited to spread some love, we couldn't start soon enough! The woman heading the event finally showed with loads of "Free Hugs" and "Abbracci Gratis" written on pieces of cardboard.  After passing them out to those of us who came without signs, we all just started wandering around the piazza, big smiles plastered on our faces. A few people weren't too excited about the idea and totally shut us down, but that number of people doesn't even come close to the amount of people whose days we made at least a bit brighter :) I did have to spend alot of time taking pictures with guys who thought that getting free hugs from random girls was nearly the best thing possible :p Eventually it started to rain a bit so we walked to the train station, I didn't bring a jacket so it was pretty chilly, but you know what they say, love will keep you warm :D The train station was a blast! Some of us stood in front of the entrance and bombarded people as they came in, but Lizzy and Monique and I walked back and forth through the station hugging hundreds of people. Within the first few minutes of this event, I was ecstatic! The feeling is undescribeable. None of us could stop smiling then or for hours after the event ended. Some specific hugs that stuck in my mind: As this older woman was walking into the station she came up to me and said, "che cosa vuol dire?" (What does it mean?) and I told her "Abbracci Gratis!" (Free Hugs!) she asked, "Dove?" or where? and I just said "Qui!" Here! and gave her a big hug :) One guy saw me from like 20 feet away and he started running towards me with his arms wide open so I ran too and when we reached each other he gave me a bug hug and lifted me up in the air! Lizzy and I went into the waiting area and started hugging all the workers in their uniforms and they were so happy, one lady said that we should come every day. A really small boy came up quietly and just gave me a hug and walked away, he was adorable! Each and every hug made our moods get better and better and I never wanted it to end! I've never in my life hugged so many people in such a short time or made so many people smile and that made me feel on top of the world! Before we left, we made promises to do it again soon so in just a couple weeks time we're going to do another one with Santa hats and Christmas cheer :) Love on someone today!!