Florence

Florence has such a rich history and culture, it is impossible to experience it all in the short time I have.  It is here that I see Michelangelo’s David. It is so beautiful. This 17-foot magnificent sculpture occupies a prominent place under a domed ceiling in a small museum. This alone is worth the trip. Florence was once the home of Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci, and the masters they studied with and the artists who studied under them. This is where serious art students come to study art and some never leave. Like our local guide, Cynthia, who first came to Florence from California to study, she fell in love with Florence then with an Italian. She has lived here since. She guides us through the Uffizi gallery. After our group activity finished, I  sit and admire, “The birth of Venus” and “Spring,” my favorites in this museum.  

I exhaust myself trying to see as much as I can during my free morning and free evening (along with a group activity in-between.) Florentines are just a kind as Venetians. Many times I stop and ask for directions. They are always helpful and I understand what they mean even if I don‘t understand what they say. Many Italians speak English even if only a bit, especially in  tourist areas. Being a foreigner in these countries really gives me an appreciation for all the people who speak English as a second language in their own country. I find myself taking the easy way out and using English whenever possible, throwing in an Italian word here and there, and grazie, grazie, grazie a lot. Mile grazie!

By evening my feet hurt but, I keep going because I want to see the view from the bridge over the Arno river. Finally, Irene and I stop to have a  quick meal at one of the many “bars” in Italy. A bar is a little like a Starbucks but all are small, independent, and each has something different to offer. After a slice of pizza we proceed to a cafe with free wi-fi and sit outside for a bit before calling it a night.  

The Tuscany countryside is beautiful. Traveling from Florence to Rome there are many hillside towns, vineyards and fields of sunflowers. It is all so Beautiful. Now it is time for Roma. Ciao!