Florence Sightseeing Day Two or Flashing Florence

Florence -Day 5

Today was day two of getting up and getting out to see the sights we have yet to see. I think if I had a month I would still not see all of her glory. There is JUST SO MUCH TO SEE!!

We started with breakfast and of course multiple cappuccinos (I guess that should be cappuccini) and planned our day. And yes, I do eat other things besides gelato and today was a ham and cheese omelette...a really good one too, I might add.

We decided to go to The Accademia to see The David. I really didn't know what to expect since you can see a David in every gift shop, on

every hokey thing you can name, not to mention large replicas all over the place. Florence = "The David". You cannot separate the city from the sculpture. We turned a corner and walked up to the museum to see the line was at least a quarter mile long, no exaggeration. We whipped out red Firenze cards, asked for the preferred members entrance and strolled on in in less than 5 minutes! We walked in and thru the airport style screening machines and in to the next room. The room was very long, a hall actually, with sculptures along each side of it, but you don't even see those except in your peripheral vision. All you really see is the David. He is at the end of the hall and his presence simply takes over. I think I was holding my breath, trying not to make a sound, so as not to disturb the reverence of the room. I cannot put in to words how beautiful this work is and I couldn't speak without getting a little emotional. I sat on the bench behind him for a very long time and marveled at every detail, the curve of his calves, the muscles across his back, his sling

lying across his shoulders and the end cupped in one hand. Truly a remarkable moment for me, one I shall not forget.

Once I could tear myself away, I backtracked down the aforementioned hall and saw many, many other impressive works including another Michelangelo, The Pieta, which was stunning. I saw Giambologna's sculpture, "Rape of the Sabine Women", and a current but temporary exhibition of Carlos Porti's work. I had never heard of him but his paintings were beautiful and I have decided to seek out more of his art.

After a hour or so we were back out in to the throngs, not to mention the heat! Our next stop was back to the Duomo to see the baptistery and Cathedral of Florence, officially known as Cattedrale Santa Maria del Fiore. We were unable to fit those in after our climb the previous day. The Baptistery was fine, I did enjoy it, but the cathedral? Just wow! It was beautiful and I lost track of time while inside. I did manage to light a candle for my father and sit and spiritually commune with him for awhile. I felt lighter leaving.

Next stop, The Palazzo Vecchio and its bell tower. The original David

(as mentioned above) use to sit in the square below the palazzo until it was moved to the Accademia, a replica is in the square now. In addition to being an ancestral home to some of the Medici family it was also the town government building...some offices use it to this day. It is huge and there are many original furnishings still in the palace but it's the art and architecture that draws you in. It's all very Romeo & Juliet-ish. The Medici crest was everywhere and I have become obsessed with their family history and their powerful influence on Florence and Italy as a whole. We managed to climb the bell tower of the palazzo....not 463 narrow, winding steps like the Duomo but 333 very vertical stairs instead. Leah handled this one like a boss. Except it was extraordinarily windy at the top and her skirt kept blowing up (Marilyn moments)...thank you baby Jesus for tights, that's all I can say. Our climb was rewarded by the ringing of the bells! It was 5:00 and the bells in the tower just started ringing

and it was amazing, not to mention very loud! The view was pretty amazing too. I meant the view of the countryside NOT Leah's tights!!!

Once we descended it was on to dinner. We decided to head back to the Mercato Centrale for steak and a glass or two of wine. We got the steak but no wine...apparently most of the wait staff was watching a soccer game and seriously no one came around to wait on tables because "the game" was on ...water it was.

We took the train home and hit the sack early....tomorrow is Pisa and Lucca ~ Buona Notte