Florence

Sorry we haven't updated in a while...

We are currently in Florence, enjoying the free wi-fi at the little "hotel" we're staying at. Yesterday (Friday) we had a school sponsored trip to Florence where we walked through the Pitti Palace gardens (beautiful old Italian gardens, the kind with the long paths, fountains and statues everywhere), met with the Carabinieri to discuss their problem of stolen or looted art and antiquities and had a 3 course lunch at a restaurant close to the Uffizi, where we ended the day gazing at medieval, gothic and classic renaissance art (including Michelangelo, Botticelli, and other classics). We saw the Birth of Venus, La Primavera (Spring), the Annunciation, etc.

After this we had to walk all the way back to the bus, at the southern-most porta (entrance to the city) where the bus was waiting to bring people back to Siena. We grabbed our overnight bag and, with the people who knew the way to the hotel (and at their utmost insistence) began to walk back to the hotel. They said it would take 15 minutes. Well, 45 minutes of brisk walking with a backpack each, Matt and I arrived at the hotel, under the instruction of these classmates. They are also the people who recommended this hotel. Exhausted from a full day of walking, we checked in and hiked up to our room - which smelled like an old, musty ashtray. Matt went to complain to the guy and we were moved into another room, which thankfully did not smell like smoke and has a pretty decent view of the street (and a small corner of the Duomo).

We showered and got dressed, then walked a few blocks over to meet up with some other girls who are in the program with us. One of them actually lived in Florence for 2 years, so she knows all of THE places to go. We went to a restaurant well off the beaten path and it was the best food we've had thus far on the trip. I think the place was called NAPO leone. GREAT ambience and even better food. We ordered a ton of food for sharing - Steak in a balsamic vinegar reduction (my favorite), veal cutlets, pappardelle in a wild boar sauce, potato soup, prosciutto pizza, ravioli in a truffle white sauce, and a spicy chicken and rice. For dessert we had strawberries in a marscapone cream and tiramisu. Three bottles of wine and about 2 hours later, we decided to go to the local club, Central Park. It was a huge dance complex, with different rooms inside and an HUGE outdoor area. We got home around 2:30am after a night of great food, dancing and company. So much fun.

Now it's time to eat some quick breakfast, see the David and GO SHOPPING!!!

Arrivederci!