To Firenze We Go!

Watching the sun rise, my eyelids were setting. It was almost 7:00AM and I had been up for 20hours already. [Following is what I wrote down while waiting for the train to take off], 

'The more passengers that hoped on the train, the more they are lookin like creeps. A man just sat the aisle across from me and is making the most annoying sounds that consist of yawns and sighs; yeah dude- I am tired myself but keep it to yourself. His entire body is faced towards me like I am a tv or something, he won't stop looking at me... ...This is getting ridiculous. ...Libby is so focused on her 'Pet Salon' phone game that she isn't seeing this weirdo and my head about to blow off because of him.. ..I just did a stare down with this guy and used a bit*hy face so he would get the hint..he looked away...OH but only in the window so he can see our reflection..real clever sir, I know you're still looking.'

I tried to sleep but couldn't because it was cold and I was not comfortable in the seats. When I finally doze off, the train man tapped my feet and told me to take them off the other seat :( 

3 hours later... (11AMish)

YAY! Florence... now what?! Bathroom in a smelly place off the street sounded legitimate. Waking aimlessy we bought a map (best idea ever).

knowing that we were going to be there for 11 hours, I needed to stay awake! We went to Gran Caffe' San Marco and bought a cute little blackberry/strawberry tart with a delicious cappuccino..standing because we didn't want to pay to sit down.

Off in the streets we went! BAM the markets with leather everywhere! "I did not bring enough money...," were one of my first thoughts. As we walked through the streets, we realized Florence is more spread out with less people...but don't worry- the sewer smell is always present somewhere in all Italian cities. "WHERE IS DAVID- MUST SEE HIM" ...but stopped in Le Focaccine that was a nefty little restaurant that had pizza over the counter and then in built-in bowls a ton of ingredients for hot sandwiches (?) Unsure- regret not ordering that. I was hungry and I dont know Italian= ordered a delicious slice of pizza.

€6,50 at Galleria dell'Accaemia plus €10 for audio (well worth it) (unable to take photos folks, sorry.)
-Hall of Colossus was originally an art school where students would re-plaster sculptors. The first room consisted of religious paintings (many Madonna/Mary themed paintings) and in the center was Giambologna's original plaster copy of the Rape of the Sabines. In two of my courses (Art of Rome and Rome's Empire) I have learned about the beginning of Rome so that sculpture was really cool to see. It has no focus point and is intended for the viewer to walk around it.
-Besides Michelangelo's David, there are 5 other sculptors by him, including the four unfinished prisoners and St. Matthew.
   -the prisoners didn't really have a meaning except for the reoccurring theme which is       constant mediation on the question of salvation through faith and free will. 
There was David, standing 16 feet high of marble in front of me. 3 years of hard work and determination, Michelangelo was not the first to start on this sculpture, in fact, two artists tried but gave up, thinking it was impossible, and the other gave up because there were strikes in the marble. Michelangelo's David's left arm broke off at one point, but I was unable to see the crack line. This was truly amazing to see. 
-Other rooms were filled with oil based paintings referring to the Holy Trinity and other 13th Century religious works. 
-Room of heads and statues: There was a room filled with all the teachers of the Art school, along with replicated statues in which the students plastered. 
Naturally I bought a few overpriced gift cards to send home to my Grandpa and parents.

Libby walking up!

Walking through the streets, a lot of the stores have little narrow doors that you have to walk down five or six steep steps before you are in the shop. So cool. Because it was cold and windy we decided to pick up a Nutella cioccolato caldo with heavy whipped cream at Gelateria Le Parigine. Getting closer and closer to The Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore, orginally called The Duomo (which means cathedral in Italian). We made €8 to walk up the 463 steps to the top. Again, well worth it. On our way up, we were able to walk around the side of inside the dome (on the top-super high up). SO PRETTY. I would enjoy going to a Sunday mass here for sureeee.

Markets

No dissing Roma, but I think I enjoyed this market more. Rome has more to offer- but if you want a leather purse, wallet, jacket, boots, gloves, or cashmere scarves, hats, and Michelangelo's david ornaments ;)... go to Florence. 

Libby bought a chestnut leather jacket and I got two leather gloves (gift for mama), and a leather teal purse. 

Enjoyed the Local Legendary burger (ingreds from all over Italia)

The weather was getting windier, we were getting hungry. Settled for burgers and fries at the Hard Rock Cafe Firenze. We had a wonderful waitress and an enjoyable time people watching in this newly built, enormous high end Hard Rock. 
Way Home: Train was delayed..kind of scary. Eventful ride back because we sat next to two girls who are also studying abroad and some weird Italian guys. Arrived around 12:45AM, guessed to take the n18 bus which led us to a familiar place. We walked to our n8 bus and did not enjoy the stinky homeless woman who smoked on the bus (but enjoyed the tipsy Italians laughing about it). 

First day trip overall: Success, 

Rivederti Firenze!