Firenze: Updated

Here a few more pictures of Florence. They pretty much sum up the weather for my entire trip there. Ug. However, on the last night I finally really enjoyed myself, and understand why people are Florence obsessed.

I've had mixed feelings about Florence the last two days. Yes, I know what your are thinking, how can you have mixed feelings about a city as amazing as Florence? Well, for a few reasons. One it hasn't stopped raining, two, it is really expensive here even little churches charge 3.50 entrance fee, three, there is no public transportation and my feet really really hurt, four, I just can't get into the Florence spirit. Here are the things I like about Florence. The shopping even window shopping is incredible, the ice cream is the best I've ever had, the steaks are really really good, and everyone seems to drink wine all the time. It is really pretty city and there is much less traffic than in Rome. Lots of the city streets are pedestrian only and there are some killer markets. I think my general malaise really stems from being tired of traveling. I'm getting to really miss my friends and family, and wishing I had someone to share all the things I am seeing.

Don't worry I am still enjoying myself. And yes, I know, I know I am in Italy, how could one be tired! I will love this city no matter what, rain or shine (very little shine). My first day I walked to the Duomo, which is really beautiful. I then sauntered down the main shopping drag, gelato in hand, and walked to the Ponte Vecchio. It was even more beautiful than I had imagined. After this it was late so I walked back to my hotel to get ready for dinner. I had a lovely evening with two american couples. Waiters usually seat me close to other americans so I can have someone to talk to, eating alone in Italy is considered odd. Turns out one of the couples were from San Antonio! Small world, and (Aunt Jan) their son teaches in the Bandera School District. They were very friendly and made me feel so much better. My meal was also amazing, it was a fixed price three course dinner. I had a minestrone soup, thin steak sliced over arugula with hunks of parmesan cheese, a salad, water and a 1/4 liter of red wine. For 13 euros! I felt so much better having talked with these people that on my walk home I began to fall in love with Florence.

This morning I woke to rain falling on my window. I had a 10 am reservation at the Accademia which is very close to my hotel. My following statement probably will upset some people, but here it goes. I won't pretend to be an art person, and usually only understand art when I have an artist (Kate) along as a guide. The David was impressive but the Accademia did not too much for me as par as museums go. There were mainly Pre-Renaisance religious paintings and I can only look at so many gold Madonna and Childs in one day. Afterwards, I visisted the main market for meat and produce which was really neat. Tripe is very big here, the first picture up there is of one meat counter and tripe (I think). The second photo is of the amazing roast beef that was put on my sandwich for lunch. Yum. I went to do some laundry after all of this because I was out of socks, which is not good. I meet a really nice woman who was travelling with her daughter and we all talked for the hour that our clothes were being washed.

I took a walk this afternoon and started to feel myself being pulled into Florence. I think I am starting to "get" this town. It smells like leather and wine, has cobblestone streets, and is calmer than Rome.