Florence day 2Jul 15, 2011
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| Today was our last day in Florence and I decided I had to make the best if my last day in this beautiful city. So far I like this city much better than Rome. Most of the cobble stone streets people are not allowed to drive on and there is practically no crime or worries about being pick pocketed like there is in Rome. Even though it was really difficult after only 3 hours of sleep and a wine hangover I decided to get up early and explore the city. All my fellow roomies were still passed out sweating I packed my water bottle camera and long dress to cover up for the churches. I wandered into a cafe right by santa Marie del fiore cathedral. Inside I experienced maybe the best invention in food ever a chocolate croissant. People were already wrapped around he church waiting in line to go in. I jumped in line to go to he dome on top of the church. I don't know what possessed me to want to climb 800 stairs At 9am but I heard the view was incredible. The stairs were a little scary if you are claustrophobic. Very narrow and steep but the view was amazing and so worth the workout. You could see the entire city and up into the mountains. I lost track of time while up there and realized I only had 30 minutes to find my way back to the hotel to meet he bus and drive to Pisa. I Thought I had enough time to stop for a gelato and ask directions which I would of if he lady at the gelato bar didn't send me the wrong direction, I think there was a bit of a language barrier and I ended up walking across the city in the total wrong direction. I only had 15 min to makerhe bus. My legs were still shaking from the climb up the 800 steps and I decided it was time to start running if I wanted to see the leaning tower of Pisa. I must of looked ridiculous to all he relaxed Florence people running in flip flops through the crowds of tourists trying to read a map and make out all the Italian road names which get pretty jumbled together. Somehow I made it to the bus right on time, covered in sweat and all red i tried to tell the bus driver to call mario and tell him i was already on the bus, but he wasnt understanding so sign language had to help with the language barrier. Heather told me she was about to throw herself down the hotel stairs to stall for me. What a great friend lol. The bus ride was about 45 minutes. I wasn't sure what to expect besides a giant leaning tower of course but when you walk on the square where it stands it's so much more. There's a giant cathedral and than the tower itself is unbelievable in person. Hoards of people everywhere posing in front of it. Holding it up kicking it. It looked unreal every time we took pics in front of it it look like a fake backdrop. after returning i was i was held back by mario, he told the rest of the group to continue to the hotel. i was a little thrown off. he said you like photography and i would like to extend an invitation to you to stay with me on the greek islands when the tour ends. There are great photo opportunities there and i think you would really enjoy it. he said not to tell the rest of the group but that i should change my flight and stay with him. this is red flag number one. i am a bit thrown on what to think of this invitation, i dont know what to say so i reply wiht i will think about it. Once back in Florence the group enjoyed a three course Italian dinner together and than headed to he best Italian gelato place in all of italy according to Mario. I went for the melon and lime flavors. Highly recommended :) next we strolled the dark streets and headed to the square where the statue of david stands. There we found an outdoor classical concert playing the sounds of instruments flooded the square along with tourists dancing and enjoying he night air. Next we walked to the bridge where we were approached b several young italian men whose broken English was pretty hard to make out but it was something alongthe lines of we live down the street come home with us. Heather and my other roomies opted for heading back to the hotel and charging out iPods and cameras. We have priorities :) that night I got the best sleep yet a while five hours. that night i wasNow back to Rome and off to the coliseum. |
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