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!