So, today is my final post - I can't believe two weeks have flown by so quickly!!
This trip has been so much fun and I have seen and done so many interesting things I never thought I would have the chance to! (Thanks to everyone who helped make this a reality for me!). So, as I look back over the past couple of weeks, there are some things I have learned that I would love to share with all of you! For those of you who have been to Italy before, this will all be familiar, for those who have not, let me help give you a taste of some of the things I have found interesting:
1. Every ristorante you sit down at for dinner doesn't serve up complimentary water like back in the US. Here, they give you the option of; Acqua Naturale or Acqua Fizzante for the bargain price of about $2 Euros each ($2.60 back home). When you ask the server what that means, they basically say "gas or no gas". So, regular water or tonic water. Now, I had to push further and understand what is up with the "gas" water....why drink that stuff without Gin in it (my personal favorite). I was told that Italians prefer gas water because it cleans the palette and helps with digestion. So, for those of you reading this...if you have a hard time digesting your food - get gas water!
2. Toilet seats are a scarce commodity here. Back home we are use to having nice, large toilet seats - some plastic, some wood, some padded, some clear with fish....you name it we have it. Here, the toilet seats (when there is one) is very thin. In most cases, the toilet is just the bowl. Well, as you can imagine, the body is used to sitting for certain activities and it doesn't work well without a seat. TMI....I know....but I had to share! So, my advice is...if you find one with a seat...take full advantage. One more thing about the bathrooms here - most are unisex so you share with the boys. Urinals and water closets all together. A bit odd.......
3. SUVs and large cars just don't exist here. One girl working in our hotel just bought a Volkswagen Golf and actually referred to it as a "large vehicle". WHAT??? It's true though....and if you ask me the Italians have it right (much more eco-friendly). Even their vans and trucks aren't much bigger than Jen's Jetta. Most Italians drive a SMART car and it's funny because you see cars plugged in everywhere we go. Also, the majority of Italians drive scooters. I think the scooter population to car population is five to one. The scooters don't have "road rules" so they drive like crazy people. I have to admit, I am quite proud of our group for not getting taken out by a car or scooter on this trip.
4. Now, breakfast here has been something for me to get used to and I will admit, it's been really, really hard. As a gal who likes her bacon and eggs, Italian breakfast is not an easy adjustment. Most places (including our hotel) serve a cold plate of hams and cheeses with croissants and roles. There is also a pastry selection (not donuts). I have been opting for the toast each day....but you never see bacon, sausage, eggs, pancakes, french toast.....they just don't eat that for breakfast. I will say this though...they do have omelette's on their dinner menu (but I haven't tried one yet...perhaps tonight I will!!). It's fun immersing yourself in a new culture, but sometimes I don't do so well...I just can't have a sandwich for breakfast.
5. There are several cafe shops in Florence, however, you will never see one offering a to-go cup....they just don't do it. Italians take their time and go in to an establishment, order a cafe or cappuchino and sit at the counter talking and laughing while enjoying their beverages. Back home we grab a cup and hit the road...always on to the next thing not taking the time to enjoy the people around you. I found this sweet...and it's been nice not seeing Starbuck's every time you turn the corner. And just to add this in: Italian coffee rocks. I have never had better coffee anywhere.
6. Dinner time is very late here. Most ristorante's don't start getting a crowd until 9:30pm or even later. The typical day here is work in the morning, an afternoon ripossa (nap) followed by more work. Then, they go home and come out late in the evening for dinner. After dinner, most people congregate at a local square where live musicians are performing. Most nights, we haven't gotten back to the hotel until after midnight..sometimes later. It's a different pace here and people actually take time to enjoy meals, beverages and the people they are with.
7. Hair. Well, what can I say...Italy is very humid so this hasn't been the best two weeks for my hair. It starts off straight in the morning and by mid-afternoon it's curly curly! I might have to work on a new product process if it's going to be humid back home.
So, as I look back, these were a few things I wanted to share.
Best culture moment: I know my most memorable and favorite thing while in Italy was sitting on the Ponte Vecchio listening to the musicians at night. The moon over the river was beautiful, the weather was perfect and we were in good company with Jen's classmates. It was everything I thought it would be!
My favorite piece of art: Allegory of Spring by Botticelli (Uffizi Gallery). See left photo at top.
Favorite night: It would have to be dancing in Rome.
Best Ristorante: Za' Za' (Florence). I had the best chicken with rosemary and potatoes.
Best Gelato Shop: Grom (Florence). It's whipped cream gelato. YUM!
Favorite city: Venice (but all of them were amazing)
Well, that's it. Time to wrap it up and go back to the hotel to start packing.
Thanks to everyone who stayed with me during this journey! I will have more stories to share when I get home (and Jen took about 1000 pictures - not kidding)
......until then, ciao!
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
When the moon hits your eye like a big pizza pie...that's amore!
Last night, we went down to the Ponte Vecchio to listen to a street musician. He played some of the classics but with a Tuscan flair. It was a perfect night and we had great seats right on the middle of the bridge. Centered over the water, there was just a sliver of the moon that reflected off the Arno with a slight wind keeping us cool. All in all, the perfect setting....the most memorable moment I will take with me.
This morning, I did my typical breakfast routine (toast and coffee followed by a run to the bathroom) and then headed down to Jen's school to meet the group and head to the Florence Sculpture Museum. Donatello's David would be the highlight today, but unfortunately that was on loan in Milan so we didn't get to see it. The museum was full of old jewelry, scultpures and coins. It was pretty cool, but I have to admit, I am getting "museumed-out". There is just so much history here I think my brain has quit taking it all in! This afternoon we are heading to a store that specializes in body oils and perfumes...not sure about that but I will go to check it out. Other than that, just keeping it low key today and will start packing up tonight as we leave Friday afternoon. Tomorrow night we have our farewell dinner followed by karaoke so it will probably be a late night. I think I am starting to get ready to come home and see my puppy!! I sure miss her!
Tomorrow I plan to "reflect back" on these last few weeks and share some of the things that stood out the most to me, what I learned and my overall thoughts! Tomorrow will be my last post so thanks for all who continued to read!
P.S. I posted new photos, enjoy! I won't be posting Venice photos as they are on the other photo card back in the safe. I will share those with you when we get home.
Today's lesson learned: guard your french fries at all costs. A woman stole my french fries right off my tray at McDonald's today. You may be thinking...why was Amy at McDonald's when she is in Italy...the answer: I can't take one more ham and cheese penne for lunch!!!
Until tomorrow my friends....ciao!
This morning, I did my typical breakfast routine (toast and coffee followed by a run to the bathroom) and then headed down to Jen's school to meet the group and head to the Florence Sculpture Museum. Donatello's David would be the highlight today, but unfortunately that was on loan in Milan so we didn't get to see it. The museum was full of old jewelry, scultpures and coins. It was pretty cool, but I have to admit, I am getting "museumed-out". There is just so much history here I think my brain has quit taking it all in! This afternoon we are heading to a store that specializes in body oils and perfumes...not sure about that but I will go to check it out. Other than that, just keeping it low key today and will start packing up tonight as we leave Friday afternoon. Tomorrow night we have our farewell dinner followed by karaoke so it will probably be a late night. I think I am starting to get ready to come home and see my puppy!! I sure miss her!
Tomorrow I plan to "reflect back" on these last few weeks and share some of the things that stood out the most to me, what I learned and my overall thoughts! Tomorrow will be my last post so thanks for all who continued to read!
P.S. I posted new photos, enjoy! I won't be posting Venice photos as they are on the other photo card back in the safe. I will share those with you when we get home.
Today's lesson learned: guard your french fries at all costs. A woman stole my french fries right off my tray at McDonald's today. You may be thinking...why was Amy at McDonald's when she is in Italy...the answer: I can't take one more ham and cheese penne for lunch!!!
Until tomorrow my friends....ciao!
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
The going rate to use a public toilet today....$.60 EURO (about $.78 US)
Well, yesterday turned out to be another amazing day. We went up to the Piazza Michelangelo which is on the SW side of the Florence. The piazza overlooks the entire city. We took a ton of great pictures and will post them tomorrow for all to see! After we left the piazza, we hiked up hill to a little church where monks we gathering for a monk chant at 5:30pm. We ended up heading out before it began, but some students stayed and said it was pretty cool. We arrived back at the hotel in time for a short nap and then we were off to Jen's instructors apartment for an evening social.....well, it ended up being more of an evening dance off! We had plenty of Italian antipastas, pastas, wine and water. They even served up "Jesus Wine" which tastes more like whiskey. You dunk a piece of bread/cookie into the wine and eat it...when it's done you drink the wine. To strong for me so I dunked mine in some water! I was the designated directions girl last night and it was my job to get the group back to the hotel. After dinner the living room turned in to a dance hall....it was a fun time! We got back to the hotel about 1:30am....a different lifestyle here. I am trying to adjust but my inner clock fights it pretty hard.
Today, our bus arrived at 8am and we went to Siena. If I had to rate the cities I have been to, I would rank in this order (first being my favorite): Venice, Siena, Rome and Florence. Siena was absolutely beautiful. The ride through the Tuscan countryside on the way up was something I only imagined before. The rolling hills, grape and olive orchards, etc. On the way, we stopped at an American cemetery that was established by the US government for fallen soldiers of WWII. There are about 400 soldiers buried there....
After that, we arrived in Siena. I loved this city (except for all the hills). That is what makes it so great though! We first went to the church where St. Catherine's relics are. By relics I mean her actual head and finger. Her head is in a shrine of sorts so you can't get real close, but yes, you can see it and yes, it was a bit....well, odd. It's something our culture doesn't do so it's hard to understand the thought process behind why they did it originally, but that is part of being here and taking it all in and learning. Next to her head was a spot for her finger - that you could get close to. It's an odd feeling knowing you are looking at actual body parts of someone who died over 600 years ago.
After that, we went to the house of St. Catherine and then another museum. Then, it was off to a fabulous lunch at Trattoria Mediovo. We had a full course dinner including pasta, pork, potatoes, cappuchino, etc. Very filling. Once we finished lunch, we had about an hour and half to roam the city. So many beautiful buildings and tiny alley's......simply amazing!
Tonight we are just hanging low and more awaits us tomorrow!
Today's lesson learned: Never pay $.60 EURO if you think you "should try and go to the bathroom since its right there". If you can't make yourself go, it's a waste of money.
Until tomorrow.....ciao!
Today, our bus arrived at 8am and we went to Siena. If I had to rate the cities I have been to, I would rank in this order (first being my favorite): Venice, Siena, Rome and Florence. Siena was absolutely beautiful. The ride through the Tuscan countryside on the way up was something I only imagined before. The rolling hills, grape and olive orchards, etc. On the way, we stopped at an American cemetery that was established by the US government for fallen soldiers of WWII. There are about 400 soldiers buried there....
After that, we arrived in Siena. I loved this city (except for all the hills). That is what makes it so great though! We first went to the church where St. Catherine's relics are. By relics I mean her actual head and finger. Her head is in a shrine of sorts so you can't get real close, but yes, you can see it and yes, it was a bit....well, odd. It's something our culture doesn't do so it's hard to understand the thought process behind why they did it originally, but that is part of being here and taking it all in and learning. Next to her head was a spot for her finger - that you could get close to. It's an odd feeling knowing you are looking at actual body parts of someone who died over 600 years ago.
After that, we went to the house of St. Catherine and then another museum. Then, it was off to a fabulous lunch at Trattoria Mediovo. We had a full course dinner including pasta, pork, potatoes, cappuchino, etc. Very filling. Once we finished lunch, we had about an hour and half to roam the city. So many beautiful buildings and tiny alley's......simply amazing!
Tonight we are just hanging low and more awaits us tomorrow!
Today's lesson learned: Never pay $.60 EURO if you think you "should try and go to the bathroom since its right there". If you can't make yourself go, it's a waste of money.
Until tomorrow.....ciao!
Monday, May 25, 2009
Could it get any hotter?
So, what a weekend!
Friday night we went for a nice little dinner at this locally owned trattoria - Icheì Chi Chi. For the bargain price of 12 Euros we had a three course meal including: bread, wine, short pasta in tomato sauce, chicken, and your choice of Limoncello or Drambuie for dessert. After dinner it was off to another gelato shop to taste the local favorite. After dinner, we headed down to the Ponte Vecchio where at night, they have great musicians that play music on the bridge. It was really fun - just hanging out on the street watching people and listening to good music. After that, we decided to call it a night.
Saturday morning Jen and I found our way to the train station to catch our train to Venice. The train left at 8:30am and we got in to Venice around 11am. The ride up was beautiful - through the mountains and a bunch of small towns. It was pretty coming in to Venice because you are on land and all of a sudden you are cruising over a water bridge. It reminded me a bit of the Florida Keys. Once we arrived, we walked out of the train station and in front of us was the Grand Canal. It was so cool....water taxis, gondala's and boats everywhere. We jumped in line to buy our 12-hour water bus pass and we were off! We went down to St. Mark's Square and from there managed to get lost in some back alley. Good thing though because we came across a great little restaurant and enjoyed pizza (and air conditioning). After lunch, we just strolled around the city and then road the water bus back up towards the train station. About 6:30pm we had to catch our train back to Florence, however, our train ticket information didn't match any of the train options and we were running out of time (and patience). So, Jen had us jump on the train heading to Rome (since it stopped in Florence) and we made it back just fine. If it weren't for her quick thinking we would still be in Venice!!
So, yesterday morning we slept in and then headed down to the Central Market to do a little shopping. Then, we came back to the hotel to hang out on the deck and play Rummy. It was nice to have some down time to just enjoy our deck and take it all in. Then, it was time for a rapozza (nap) and off to dinner with some of the group. We caught another street musician last night that sounded a lot like Phil Collins - very good. Three men tried to pick me up in a matter of 10 minutes last night so all I can think was we were at a singles concert and didn't know it. It was quite comical.
So, today we are heading to Michelangelo's Piazza and then tonight we are going to Jen's instructors apartment for a get together (drinks, snacks, etc). Tomorrow we are off to Siena for the day - I am looking forward to that. Only a few days left so I am just trying to enjoy every last bit!
Yesterday's lesson learned: When its 90 degrees in your room at midnight, you can actually fan yourself to sleep for over an hour and your arm won't get sore.
Until tomorrow (or Wednesday)....ciao!
Friday night we went for a nice little dinner at this locally owned trattoria - Icheì Chi Chi. For the bargain price of 12 Euros we had a three course meal including: bread, wine, short pasta in tomato sauce, chicken, and your choice of Limoncello or Drambuie for dessert. After dinner it was off to another gelato shop to taste the local favorite. After dinner, we headed down to the Ponte Vecchio where at night, they have great musicians that play music on the bridge. It was really fun - just hanging out on the street watching people and listening to good music. After that, we decided to call it a night.
Saturday morning Jen and I found our way to the train station to catch our train to Venice. The train left at 8:30am and we got in to Venice around 11am. The ride up was beautiful - through the mountains and a bunch of small towns. It was pretty coming in to Venice because you are on land and all of a sudden you are cruising over a water bridge. It reminded me a bit of the Florida Keys. Once we arrived, we walked out of the train station and in front of us was the Grand Canal. It was so cool....water taxis, gondala's and boats everywhere. We jumped in line to buy our 12-hour water bus pass and we were off! We went down to St. Mark's Square and from there managed to get lost in some back alley. Good thing though because we came across a great little restaurant and enjoyed pizza (and air conditioning). After lunch, we just strolled around the city and then road the water bus back up towards the train station. About 6:30pm we had to catch our train back to Florence, however, our train ticket information didn't match any of the train options and we were running out of time (and patience). So, Jen had us jump on the train heading to Rome (since it stopped in Florence) and we made it back just fine. If it weren't for her quick thinking we would still be in Venice!!
So, yesterday morning we slept in and then headed down to the Central Market to do a little shopping. Then, we came back to the hotel to hang out on the deck and play Rummy. It was nice to have some down time to just enjoy our deck and take it all in. Then, it was time for a rapozza (nap) and off to dinner with some of the group. We caught another street musician last night that sounded a lot like Phil Collins - very good. Three men tried to pick me up in a matter of 10 minutes last night so all I can think was we were at a singles concert and didn't know it. It was quite comical.
So, today we are heading to Michelangelo's Piazza and then tonight we are going to Jen's instructors apartment for a get together (drinks, snacks, etc). Tomorrow we are off to Siena for the day - I am looking forward to that. Only a few days left so I am just trying to enjoy every last bit!
Yesterday's lesson learned: When its 90 degrees in your room at midnight, you can actually fan yourself to sleep for over an hour and your arm won't get sore.
Until tomorrow (or Wednesday)....ciao!
Sunday, May 24, 2009
No posts today!
Jen's free computer lab is closed today so I will blog an update tomorrow on the fun things we did this weekend.
Yesterday's lesson learned: In Italy...your return train ticket information doesn't have to match the train you take home.
Until tomorrow....ciao!
Yesterday's lesson learned: In Italy...your return train ticket information doesn't have to match the train you take home.
Until tomorrow....ciao!
Friday, May 22, 2009
Tomorrow we are off to Venice....andiamo!!
Today has already been a great day and it's still early! (For those of you back home, it's about 3:30am...for me 10:30am). I got to sleep in a bit this morning...no excursions. I did a little laundry in my sink (Woolite packets are fabulous), showered, headed out for a cup of Italian coffee and brought it back up to my balcony to enjoy! Then, I headed over to the computer lab at Jen's school for a little web time. Now I am just enjoying the cool morning air before the 90's come back in full force around noon.....
Looking back, yesterday was a pretty cool day. We went to the Palazzo Vecchio (not to be confused with the Ponte Vecchio) and toured the museum. We got up close and personal with Michelangelo's Pieta. It was the last sculpture he did that was intended to be on his tombstone (crypt). There's an interesting story behind that piece.....he was taking a lot of time sculpting it because the marble he was using wasn't good. The piece is a visual of him holding Jesus (after his death) from behind and Mary Magdeline and Jesus's mother Mary on either side. The piece is very powerful....even in its unfinished state. Apparently, the story goes, that his housekeeper kept asking him when he was going to finish (because he was making such a mess everyday). The pressure he was getting from the housekeeper was the same as from the Pope when he did the Sistine Chapel. He got so fed up with the question that one day he grabbed a hammer and started smashing the sculpture. After a while, he threw the hammer down and said "Now I am done". End of story...the piece was never on his tomb but rather ended up in this museum....kind of sad but makes for an interesting story.
After that, we went to the Duomo Museo. We also saw the room of Relics. Now, for those of you who aren't exactly sure what that means (like me), I was shocked when I found out. A relic is something that people used to keep from those famous people who died. So, yesterday, we actually saw John the Baptist's finger bone. CRAZY. On one hand (no pun intended) it was kind of cool but on the other hand it was very weird. I guess that just goes to show how times have changed! For those of you reading this....if something happens to me you are NOT ALLOWED to keep any "physical relics". =o)
After that, we grabbed a quick nap and then it was off to a little pizza joint that Jen's professor recommended. The pizza here is so fresh.....prosciutto, mushrooms, fresh mozzarella...YUM-O! After dinner we grabbed a Gelato and then decided to wrap things up....karaoke will wait until another night.
Oh yah...and I have been meaning to mention a few random things I have noticed over the past week: it is actually cheaper here to order a bottle of l'acqua (water) or a glass of vino (wine) or berra (beer) then it is a can of Coke or Coke Light (as the locals call it). Its about 3 Euros for a can of Coke (which equals about $4) if you buy it in a shop. Unbelievable! Not good for soda lovers like me! Also, our hotel didn't have the A/C on until yesterday (they don't normally turn it on until 6/1) so we have had our windows open all week. Remember the other day I said there are no screens so bugs and birds are free to come and go as they please. Well, Jen and one of her classmates, Lauren, have been getting welts on their arms from some sort of bug bite. So, Lauren finally went to the Farmacia the other day (because we all thought it might be bed bug bites) and it turns out they have some killer mosquitoes here! Nothing a little coritsone won't take care of....but there is a plug in unit in our rooms that we all found in a drawer but didn't know what it was. Well, it's like a mosquitoe zapper....that would have been good to know a few days ago! Anyway, we came back to the room yesterday and here the cleaning service turned on our A/C, plugged in our mosquitoe zapper and made it quite lovely!!!! I've also found that there isn't a great deal of consistency in accomodations in our hotel. For instance, Jen and I got a huge room, with a huge bathroom, huge shower, huge deck, huge everything! Laurens deck is smaller and her bathroom is the size of a phone booth. We call her shower a "shoilette" because the shower stall is only wide enough for one tiny person and you can hardly move in there. There is only a half way separating the shower from the rest of the bathroom and she can sit on the toilet while she showers. It has to be one of the funniest things I have ever seen. Also, Jen and I got a nice, normal hairdryer in our bathroom. Luaren got something that resembles more of a Flo-B than anything...it's like a vacuum cleaner on the wall. Again...HILARIOUS! Let's see, one of the last things I noticed that I want to tell you about today is the size of the elevatore (elevator) here. Back home we are used to big elevators that fit 10-20 people. In both our hotels, the elevators can only fit two people with very little luggage. It's about the size of a double phone booth...not cool for those of us who don't like being in small spaces. Overall though, I have found everything to be quite charming and it's so nice to experience something totally different!
Anyway, enough rambling on and on and if you're still with me, thanks! Today we are catching a few more museums and then it will be an early tonight because tomorrow morning Jen and I are off to Venice!! We are taking the 8:30am high speed train and should arrive in Venice about 11am. We have the whole day to explore, get lost and have fun. We are going alone so this should be interesting. Our train back will leave later tomorrow evening so I probably won't post again until Sunday. I will upload new pictures then!
Yesterday's lesson learned: I am very good at getting what I want at the price I want! I hit a big score in the Mercato Centrale (Central Market) yesterday and was very proud of myself.
Until next time, I hope you are all doing well and we miss you! Ciao!
Looking back, yesterday was a pretty cool day. We went to the Palazzo Vecchio (not to be confused with the Ponte Vecchio) and toured the museum. We got up close and personal with Michelangelo's Pieta. It was the last sculpture he did that was intended to be on his tombstone (crypt). There's an interesting story behind that piece.....he was taking a lot of time sculpting it because the marble he was using wasn't good. The piece is a visual of him holding Jesus (after his death) from behind and Mary Magdeline and Jesus's mother Mary on either side. The piece is very powerful....even in its unfinished state. Apparently, the story goes, that his housekeeper kept asking him when he was going to finish (because he was making such a mess everyday). The pressure he was getting from the housekeeper was the same as from the Pope when he did the Sistine Chapel. He got so fed up with the question that one day he grabbed a hammer and started smashing the sculpture. After a while, he threw the hammer down and said "Now I am done". End of story...the piece was never on his tomb but rather ended up in this museum....kind of sad but makes for an interesting story.
After that, we went to the Duomo Museo. We also saw the room of Relics. Now, for those of you who aren't exactly sure what that means (like me), I was shocked when I found out. A relic is something that people used to keep from those famous people who died. So, yesterday, we actually saw John the Baptist's finger bone. CRAZY. On one hand (no pun intended) it was kind of cool but on the other hand it was very weird. I guess that just goes to show how times have changed! For those of you reading this....if something happens to me you are NOT ALLOWED to keep any "physical relics". =o)
After that, we grabbed a quick nap and then it was off to a little pizza joint that Jen's professor recommended. The pizza here is so fresh.....prosciutto, mushrooms, fresh mozzarella...YUM-O! After dinner we grabbed a Gelato and then decided to wrap things up....karaoke will wait until another night.
Oh yah...and I have been meaning to mention a few random things I have noticed over the past week: it is actually cheaper here to order a bottle of l'acqua (water) or a glass of vino (wine) or berra (beer) then it is a can of Coke or Coke Light (as the locals call it). Its about 3 Euros for a can of Coke (which equals about $4) if you buy it in a shop. Unbelievable! Not good for soda lovers like me! Also, our hotel didn't have the A/C on until yesterday (they don't normally turn it on until 6/1) so we have had our windows open all week. Remember the other day I said there are no screens so bugs and birds are free to come and go as they please. Well, Jen and one of her classmates, Lauren, have been getting welts on their arms from some sort of bug bite. So, Lauren finally went to the Farmacia the other day (because we all thought it might be bed bug bites) and it turns out they have some killer mosquitoes here! Nothing a little coritsone won't take care of....but there is a plug in unit in our rooms that we all found in a drawer but didn't know what it was. Well, it's like a mosquitoe zapper....that would have been good to know a few days ago! Anyway, we came back to the room yesterday and here the cleaning service turned on our A/C, plugged in our mosquitoe zapper and made it quite lovely!!!! I've also found that there isn't a great deal of consistency in accomodations in our hotel. For instance, Jen and I got a huge room, with a huge bathroom, huge shower, huge deck, huge everything! Laurens deck is smaller and her bathroom is the size of a phone booth. We call her shower a "shoilette" because the shower stall is only wide enough for one tiny person and you can hardly move in there. There is only a half way separating the shower from the rest of the bathroom and she can sit on the toilet while she showers. It has to be one of the funniest things I have ever seen. Also, Jen and I got a nice, normal hairdryer in our bathroom. Luaren got something that resembles more of a Flo-B than anything...it's like a vacuum cleaner on the wall. Again...HILARIOUS! Let's see, one of the last things I noticed that I want to tell you about today is the size of the elevatore (elevator) here. Back home we are used to big elevators that fit 10-20 people. In both our hotels, the elevators can only fit two people with very little luggage. It's about the size of a double phone booth...not cool for those of us who don't like being in small spaces. Overall though, I have found everything to be quite charming and it's so nice to experience something totally different!
Anyway, enough rambling on and on and if you're still with me, thanks! Today we are catching a few more museums and then it will be an early tonight because tomorrow morning Jen and I are off to Venice!! We are taking the 8:30am high speed train and should arrive in Venice about 11am. We have the whole day to explore, get lost and have fun. We are going alone so this should be interesting. Our train back will leave later tomorrow evening so I probably won't post again until Sunday. I will upload new pictures then!
Yesterday's lesson learned: I am very good at getting what I want at the price I want! I hit a big score in the Mercato Centrale (Central Market) yesterday and was very proud of myself.
Until next time, I hope you are all doing well and we miss you! Ciao!
Thursday, May 21, 2009
In search of more Gelato.....
Yesterday proved to be quite an eventful day....
We started off the day by going to the Accademia to Michelangelo's David. You walk in to the museum, hang a quick left (according to Rick Steves) and at the end of the hall, you see the David. The shear size of this piece is amazing. Jen and I spent quite a bit of time just walking around the statue and looking. You can still see chisel marks and the part where his arm was broken off during a riot in Palazzo Vecchio back in 1527. It's unbelievable that this piece has held up this long! Another interesting part of the museum was the hallway leading to the David. This hall was filled with Michelangelo's unfinished works called "The Prisoners". They are called that because they are sculptures of people that are not finished so they look like they are trapped in the marble....some pretty great work! After leaving the Accademia....
Jen and I grabbed a quick sandwich and chips at the local market and headed back to our room to have lunch on the balcony. We have such a great view from up there...we don't want to waste a chance to enjoy it!
After lunch, we all met up at the Uffizi Gallery. I have to admit...this was my favorite part of the day. There are so many great works of art here: Giotto: Madonna and Child; Martini: Annunciation; Fabriano: Adoration of the Magi, Uccello: The Battle of San Romano; Botticelli: Allegoria of Spring (which I think had to be one my personal favorites tied with da Vinci), da Vinci: Adoration of the Magi. For all you Thrivent folks, there was some impressive work by Cranach of Martin Luther and Katherine von Bora. After we made it through the museum, we hung out on the Bar patio and enjoyed the great views of the Duomo and Giotto's Tower.
We had a chance to grab a quick nap and then it was off to dinner. I just love dinners here...they last a couple of hours and you really have a chance to soak it all in and enjoy each others company. There was even a little group of guys that came to our table and played Italian music (then proceeded to demand a tip by extending his hand right to people at our table). It was funny! After dinner, we all had a bug for more Gelato and walked down towards the Duomo to get some. It was a nice night and we wrapped things up about midnight to head back to our hotel.
We are leaving shortly to check out the Palazzo Vecchio and then this afternoon, we are going to the Duomo. We have the option of climbing to the top of the dome to get a great view of the city....about 600 stairs. Not sure the knee will be able to handle that climb but I might give it a try! Later tonight we are heading out for dinner followed by karaoke with the locals - could it be another "When in Rome?"....stay tuned!
Yesterday's lesson learned: make sure you pack shorts and t-shirts if you come here....no matter what anyone tells you. If you don't it can be expensive to buy knew ones!
We started off the day by going to the Accademia to Michelangelo's David. You walk in to the museum, hang a quick left (according to Rick Steves) and at the end of the hall, you see the David. The shear size of this piece is amazing. Jen and I spent quite a bit of time just walking around the statue and looking. You can still see chisel marks and the part where his arm was broken off during a riot in Palazzo Vecchio back in 1527. It's unbelievable that this piece has held up this long! Another interesting part of the museum was the hallway leading to the David. This hall was filled with Michelangelo's unfinished works called "The Prisoners". They are called that because they are sculptures of people that are not finished so they look like they are trapped in the marble....some pretty great work! After leaving the Accademia....
Jen and I grabbed a quick sandwich and chips at the local market and headed back to our room to have lunch on the balcony. We have such a great view from up there...we don't want to waste a chance to enjoy it!
After lunch, we all met up at the Uffizi Gallery. I have to admit...this was my favorite part of the day. There are so many great works of art here: Giotto: Madonna and Child; Martini: Annunciation; Fabriano: Adoration of the Magi, Uccello: The Battle of San Romano; Botticelli: Allegoria of Spring (which I think had to be one my personal favorites tied with da Vinci), da Vinci: Adoration of the Magi. For all you Thrivent folks, there was some impressive work by Cranach of Martin Luther and Katherine von Bora. After we made it through the museum, we hung out on the Bar patio and enjoyed the great views of the Duomo and Giotto's Tower.
We had a chance to grab a quick nap and then it was off to dinner. I just love dinners here...they last a couple of hours and you really have a chance to soak it all in and enjoy each others company. There was even a little group of guys that came to our table and played Italian music (then proceeded to demand a tip by extending his hand right to people at our table). It was funny! After dinner, we all had a bug for more Gelato and walked down towards the Duomo to get some. It was a nice night and we wrapped things up about midnight to head back to our hotel.
We are leaving shortly to check out the Palazzo Vecchio and then this afternoon, we are going to the Duomo. We have the option of climbing to the top of the dome to get a great view of the city....about 600 stairs. Not sure the knee will be able to handle that climb but I might give it a try! Later tonight we are heading out for dinner followed by karaoke with the locals - could it be another "When in Rome?"....stay tuned!
Yesterday's lesson learned: make sure you pack shorts and t-shirts if you come here....no matter what anyone tells you. If you don't it can be expensive to buy knew ones!
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