Hello again, friends.
Well, here we are in Italy (Florence, to be precise)--home of gelatto, ancient buildings and high heels. On the last point--Jess and I seriously can't figure out how Italian women are able to walk on these 700 year old cobblestone streets in stilettos without breaking an ankle. It is truly an art form.
Our train trip from Switzerland was, once again, remarkably smooth. Quick transfers, kind people and relatively comfortable seats. We arrived in Florence at about 3:00 PM yesterday and took a cab to our Hostel. Now, that may sound like a boring detail...but you didn't see this cab. The woman who drove the cab had lost her husband (who used to drive the cab) to cancer some years beforehand. She now gives free rides anywhere in the city to those who are fighting cancer. She was one part philosopher, one part hippy and one part muppet. Seriously. Her cab had so many peace-nik paraphernalia and stuffed animals inside of it that it looked like an atomic muppet bomb had gone off in there. She loved it. She also gave Jess a sucker.
We arrived at our hostel in the Southwestern part of Florence and were very impressed. It is called Casa Santo Nome di Gesu--it is a beautifully preserved and pristinely clean 15th Century convent. The Sisters who run the place spoke very little English, but (fortunately) very decent French.
Jess's French saves us again.
We decided to head out to the Uffizi Museum shortly after our arrival. It sports one of the finest collections of Renaissance and Medieval artwork anywhere. Now, usually you have to wait in line for up to three hours if you go there when it first opens. Fortunately for us, an hour before it closes, the waiting time was only about 20 minutes. We spent the 60 minutes in absolute awe at the artistic fortitude of those who died centuries ago. It really defies explanation.
As does the gellato.
If you haven't ever had it, we suggest a trip to Italy.
Today, we had a wonderful breakfast at the convent and hit the streets. After sending back the remainder of our borrowed luggage to Ruth in Brussels (thank you, Mailboxes Etc.!!!!), we viewed the Basilica di Santa Maria Novella. See the description of the Uffizi again for our reaction. The architecture around here is incredible. Construction was undertaken on this church 250 years before some guy named Christopher 'sailed the ocean blue.' Shortly after, we walked a quick half mile over to the Duomo. No such luck on the entrance to this site. It's one of Florence's most famous, and the line stretched all the way down the block. We took a leisurely stroll around it and savored the view from the outside. It was breathtaking.
So, here we are in an internet cafe at the train station, ready to hop on another train and head for Rome.
Ciao!
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7 comments:
Firenze? Is that Italian for Florence? Educate me! Great posts thus far. I'm taking notes.
Hey! I tried to stay in that hostel once! Apparently it is very popular though, and trying to find accomodations in Florence at 7pm is not easy. So I had to dish out 100 euro for a hotel. :( Gelato = yummy. But not as yummy as Berthillon sorbet (find it in Paris or I will hunt you down).
Will you be going to see David?
I can't believe you guys didn't go see the David in Florence!!!! We also did the Uffizi and the Duomo (the view from the top is spectacular) but the David was the most breathtaking sight in my opinion. But - enjoy Rome!!!! it's super cheap - take advantage of those 3-hour dinners and bottles of wine!!
I'm similarly bummed that you didn't get to see the David, but rather than join the crowd and talk about things past, I'm going to encourage you to experience something in Rome. Two words, The Forum!!!! Nothing else compares in my mind. Just stand in the middle of it and try and imagine how Western Civilization was formed there for centuries. Is there any other political/cultural so influential on the planet? Surely, but not many.
Oh take a tour through the Forum if you can find one. Unless you're an expert on Ancient Roman history, you'll need someone telling you what's up. Like, there's the senate building where such and such was decided and there's the stage where Cicero gave this address or that, etc.
I've enjoyed reading your entries Johnsons. I'm even more jealous with each passing day! You are blessed people. Know it. Thank God for it!
Mike
Go to St. Peter's--if you can, late afternoon/early evening. Wear long pants and covered shoulders or you'll not be let in. I can't wait to hear your reflections.
Hey Mike and Nicole...Thanks for all the comments. I just wanted to let you know WHY we missed the David. Our only day in Florence was a the last Monday of the month. It is the worst day for museums because everything is closed on that day. Seriously...there was nothing we could do about it.
Sigh...
Thanks for reading the blog! We will post more soon!
tim and jess
Yeah, Mondays in Europe can be a real drag. What's this about needing days off? Come on.
Mike
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