So this morning we went to the train station to head towards Florence, which was a little under a two hour ride. At the beginning of the ride I felt all sicky inside, so after two Dramamine, I was out, when suddenly we are arriving. Lesson number one learned all over again, dont take sleep aids if you dont have ample time for sleep. So again, battle of the grog continued. From the station in Florence we took about a half mile walk down the cobblestone streets with all our luggage in a line of 30 people. We were quite the sight. We had our first Maserati sighting as well, which made me and Ali's day. Apparently the hotel we were supposed to be staying at was full so we went to the lesser and not as up to date "sister hotel". If she was my sister, I would disown her. Its not the most grand of living circumstances, there is a bed and a bathroom. Although the bed is a little bit wonkey and is more like sleeping on a motocross track. But, after living in the Philippines, anywhere else in the world seems just fine. So, after lugging our bags up a flight of stairs we had to cram all our jazz into two rooms cause ours werent ready, then off we were. Our new tour guides name was Tanya and she started us off on a walking tour of Florence. We we ALL over the city. Literally. Florence is gorgeous, and very different then Rome.
Its the quaint, homey Italian city that you visualize when you think of Italy. Our tour guide was American but has been living in Italy for some time. She knew the history of the city and art history extremely well. There is a very strong Firenzia (Florence) pride here, from all the other cities on Italy because Italy as a united country is relatively young. It was during our civil war in the States that the individual states of Italy became united as one nation. We learned alot about the design behind the city of Florence and how the homes and building were strategically placed and built with a defensive, warfare state of mind. We ended our walking tour at the Baptistry and Duomo, the gems of Florence and the middle of town. The baptistry is a giant domed building next to the Duomo's chapel where people were baptised before going into the chapel.
The entrance to the Duomo. The dome is on the other side. The Duomo was constructed in the 14th century and is amazing not only because of its size (which is about three times smaller then St. Peter's, but, whose comparing?) but because it has a pantheon sized dome, on top of the cathedral. Its covered in beautiful green and white marble and has a large piazza outside thats a popilar gathering place. By this point it was late in the day, our feet hurt and we were all exhausted and starving! We litterally went to the closely restaurant, which turned out to be the best meal I have had in Italy so far! We were slightly worried about the size of our entrees because we realized that we were ordering from the first course menu, which explains why it was so reasonably priced. So we asked the little man if that would be enough food. He showed with his hands about how big the place would be, around the size of a football, then showed us what we though would be how high the food would be piled. Turns out the mound of food was but a small pile inside a very large plate. However, we took on the Italian mentality of eating slow, taking our time and enjoying our meal. And enjoyed we did! I got riccota and pear filled Fagottini pasta with a buttery parmesan sauce. Best bowl of pasta ever!! The other thing I had loved about this trip is the fact that I am traveling mostly with girls. Girls that get full really easily. Which means a lot of great leftovers for me.
Cleanin up after the girls
After our amazing meal we went to what apparently is the best gelato place in Florence, Grom's. Mama mia, they know what they are doing.
Gelato numero 4
Gelato is my happy alternative to icecream, which I cant eat anymore, and I happily accept my replacement. Real gelato apparently isnt made with milk, which is great!
We strolled back towards our hotel through the Duomo piazza at sunset and it just felt kinda surreal. This place is gorgeous, filled with so much history and beauty that its a lot to take in. Everyone should do this at some point in their life! The rest of the night was spent "attempting" to get on the internet. Which isnt so hot. But I got this guy typed out. Small victories. Ciao!
Its the quaint, homey Italian city that you visualize when you think of Italy. Our tour guide was American but has been living in Italy for some time. She knew the history of the city and art history extremely well. There is a very strong Firenzia (Florence) pride here, from all the other cities on Italy because Italy as a united country is relatively young. It was during our civil war in the States that the individual states of Italy became united as one nation. We learned alot about the design behind the city of Florence and how the homes and building were strategically placed and built with a defensive, warfare state of mind. We ended our walking tour at the Baptistry and Duomo, the gems of Florence and the middle of town. The baptistry is a giant domed building next to the Duomo's chapel where people were baptised before going into the chapel.
The entrance to the Duomo. The dome is on the other side.
Cleanin up after the girls
Gelato numero 4
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