Firenze is Full of Statues and Stories

Firenze, also known as Florence, wow what a beautiful city. Even when we stepped off the train at 9 in the morning after only an hour of sleep, we knew that it was going to be a wonderful weekend. There is something about walking through Florence in the early morning. It's before the huge groups of tourists come through and people are heading to work or school. The piazza near the Duomo is quiet and the streets are not packed with backpackers and travelers. You can see Florence, not just tourists.

We got to our hostel, Leonardo House (an amazing person, best hostel I've stayed at) our private room was not ready when we got there at 9, but we were allowed to leave our backpacks and head back into the city. Within two blocks we were at the Duomo. We stopped at a cafe and got cappuccini and cornetti and sat on a bench staring at this mammoth building with such an interesting design, that is so hard to explain.


By the time we got to go into the Cathedral Santa Maria del Fiore there were a lot more tourist, but thankfully the line in was just a big bottleneck and we got in just fine. I feel like I enjoy going into basilicas and churches more because of my Art in Rome class. I know more about the structure and building plan, and also that a basilica form was taken from buildings from Ancient Rome, that Basilica literally means "pertaining to the king" and was used at a court and other public functions. The Apse mosaic was beautiful, something that you just need to stand under and admire. There is a walkway along under it, and end up outside on top of the Duomo, but I didn't do this. It was an extra 8 Euro and we were already going to go to the Accademia the next day to see the David, and that was 14 euro. But I think I'm going to go when I go back in December with my mom.

Since we didn't sleep much that night, we ended up back at the hostel and took an hour nap before heading out again. We went to the Accademia to book our timed reservation for the next day. We had to pay an extra 4 euro, but you get to skip the line and go in when you get there. Otherwise, when you need to buy tickets you could be waiting hours to get inside. After we bought the tickets, we headed back toward the river to see Piazza del Repubblica and to see the replica of the David and other sculptures that are on display at the Accademia, but you are unable to take photos of the real ones. But I'll get back to the David later.

Michelangelo's Tomb

The next place we went was the Santa Croce, the large Basilica where if you were anyone in Florence during the Renaissance, you had a tomb there. Galileo, Machiavelli, Michelangelo, and so many others are all buried there. I took so many pictures of different tombs, but I will not bore you will posting them all. The marble floor was covered with tombs of people. Some were so worn down because of all the foot traffic over the centuries through the church. We spent so much time looking at all the chapels and tombs and trying to pick our favorites. Michelangelo was my favorite. It had three statues of women each holding a symbol of one of his trades; painter, sculptor, and architect.  You couldn't get very close to it, but it was still pretty amazing. To be at the final resting spot of one of the most famous painters and sculptors on Earth.

We also made our way to the Ponte Vecchio, the oldest bridge in Florence. It was amazing, it's not even a bridge because there are shops on either side, but it is so beautiful. I couldn't picture the bridge in my head before I saw it. Then we turned a corner and there it was. The Ponte Vecchio, I have seen so many pictures of this bridge, it was like a light bulb. "Oh yes! I have seen that before!" And it was beautiful, we just stood by the river looking out towards the bridge. It's one of the moments when you are shocked that you are in Italy. It smacks you in the face, "Oh my god I'm in Italy" was the thought I had the minute I saw the bridge. After over a month in the country, it's nice to know I can still be stunned at the beauty of Italy. Nothing has really become common-place. Even in Rome, when I cross the Tiber river and can see the Vatican I still slow down and stare. It's unreal. I remember getting the email on my phone in January saying From: Rome, with it's subject title "Congratulations" I screamed, called my parents and blasted That's Amore and Pepino the Italian Mouse. I can't believe my biggest dream, to live in Italy, has come true. I am truly grateful everyday.

After wandering around the Ponte Vecchio, we ended up at Palazzo Pici, part of which was the old Medici castle. Everyone was just sitting in front of this massive castle and just hanging out. We sat down and relaxed. We would be silent for a minute and one of us would go, How is it possible we are here right now? Just chilling outside the Medici castle with our Ringo cookies and bottles of water. This is a normal weekend for us. I really do not want to leave. I know everyone says that. But it's true. I feel more like myself, and happier here than I have felt in either Minnesota or Chicago in a very long time. I know that this time must come to an end, but I don't think I can live without Italy in my life. The 2 years it took me to get back here and that was 2 years too long. 


 It is also 2 years too long for some amazing Italian food. We went to Trattoria Anita, a small restaurant down a side alleyway that a friend recommended to us. It was cheap but some of the best food I have ever had. Ever.
And that isn't just hyperbole, I'm being totally serious. The bruschetta was to die for. I had Spaghetti Carbonara and a Cappuccino, all for 15 euro. The vino della casa rosso was great and cheap. (Always go for the house wine). We left that restaurant so happy we were ready for some night-time walking around then some much needed sleep. God know we deserved it!


As we walked back towards our hostel, we stopped to see some street performers. On was a man who was dressed up like Charlie Chaplin, he was funny and drew a huge crowd until became so crude with his humor we all wanted to leave. He took off this man's shirt and a woman's sweater. Everyone was laughing at this, but there was also a 6 year old girl stand there with a ballon he was having her run around and copy his dance. I don't know, but if that was my daughter I would be pissed that he is doing all these crude things to willing participants while a little girl is standing there. Ok, I said enough about that. It was just weird. 

The next group of street performers were amazing. Don't ask me why they were dressed up like the human DNA from the movie Never Been Kissed, but they were a group of musicians, some playing drums, saxophones, and clarinets.


We headed to bed soon after the street performers. We had an appointment with the David at 9am the next morning! And we had to be ready!


Oh the Accademia, what a great museum. We were not allowed to take photos while inside, so I'm sorry that this part of the post will not have any photos to go along with it. It is just one of those things that you need to see on your own I guess! The main thing people go there to see is obviously the David. The huge like 17 foot statute. The detail is impeccable. You can see veins on the arms and neck. The muscles of the torso look like he is really leaning on is right foot. You can not help but stare at this massive work of genius. I'm sure there is so much to know about the way he created it and the artistic terms of it. But I enjoyed just staring at it. I had no interest in listening to a tour guide go through and tell me what I am supposed to see. It is much easier to just stand in awe. 


After the Accademia, we went for breakfast, an American breakfast. We had omelets and toast. Yes, we were actually excited about this. Cornetti are amazing, but sometimes you need a little slice of home. We spent two hours at this cafe eating and drinking coffee and trying to wake up enough to go on with our day. Our train was leaving at 5:13 and it was going to take 4 hours to get back to Rome. We did not take pictures most of the day because we walked around the city and shopped. Oh did we shop! Everywhere you look you find Italian leather. There are huge outlets of designers just outside Florence that we did not get a chance to go to, but I would love to one day. I rationalized my shopping by thinking that I wasn't able to bring that many clothes with me..but the problem I will find in December is trying to bring them all home. Looks like I'm going to make my mom bring another bag with her to Rome!




All in all, it was a relaxing weekend despite the stressful morning and lack of sleep. We made all of our trains on time, we had seats each time and we made sure to validate them. We were back at J-Force at about 11. Just enough time to check facebook and chat before going to bed. Weekends are crazy in Rome, you are running around all over the continent, and before you know it, it is 2am in the morning and you have class at 9:30am Monday morning. But the lack of sleep and the craziness is worth it. This way you can see all the Europe has to offer and see some place most people only dream about. But for us lucky few, it's reality.




Next week is Fall Break. I'm heading to Dublin, London, and Paris. I'll try to post during the trip, but hang with me, I tell you all about my adventures that next week!


Until then!


Ciao Bella