Florence (Firenza)

As some of you know, the Chapmans are allergic to McDonalds. But I never was to glad to see a McDonalds by the train station in Florence. I knew it would have a bathroom. James actually bought a meal. I wasn't that desparate for food.

The buildings seemed taller then in Venice, probably because you can only go so high on water. We checked in to the hotel and then set off exploring. We started walking towards the Duomo not really know what to look for. We came around the corner and then there it is, this incredibly beautiful building. It is is huge. We had to go to then end of the Piazza to photograph Giotto's tower. It has a green, white and pink marble sheets that cover the construction. Right by the Duomo Cathedral is the Baptistery. It has the big, bronze paneled doors. Michelangelo said they were fit to be the gates of paradise. You then can walk down the pedestrian only Via dei Calzaiuoli. We liked not having to deal with cars. You stroll down to the Accademia and Uffizi Museums, this is were Michelangelo's David is. We decided not to do museums for two reasons, you have to reserve a spot and then they herd you through like cattle. There are several other sculptures in this area, Neptune's fountain, Perseus, and the Rape of the Sabines. We did run into the sister missionaries. Their district get together on Sundays and sing in the Piazza.

You keep walking through and turn into the Ponte Vecchio. This has shopping. There is a spot of a bust of the great goldsmith, Cellini. Now the importance for me what that guys would demonstrate the enduring quality of their love by ceremonially taking their girls here, locking a lock and throwing the key into the Arno. They had cleaned the fence and only a few lock were found on it. We found a spot around the corner of the bridge that had tons of locks on it.

On the train, we were asked if we were going shopping in Florence. It has all the major designer name stores, Gucci, Dolce & Gabbana, Fendi, Dior and many more. We just took pictures of the signs.