2nd Installment for Florence...
Monday 11th Sept 5.44pm
Today's itinerary began thus;
The Duomo and inside the Cathedral Di Santa Something-or-other, which was the first church I have been into that required you to cover up (no singlets or short skirts/shorts, etc). A preview of Egypt no doubt. It was very pretty. It is being cleaned at present and so part is covered by scaffolding. It has been the case at many heritage sites we have visited, the prefection being marred by construction, and even though we understand the need for it we can't help but wish that it was being cleaned/preserved next week. It has gotten to the point that we are disappointed if we DON'T see scaffolding. The church is very different from others we have seen (dad breathed a sigh of relief, his catch-cry is "Not another church!") The outside is cream and green marble (not a grey concrete look like so many others) and inside it is vast with lovely mosiac marble floors. Dad and I climbed the 463 steps to the top dome and looked at a spectacular view of Florence. Red stucco rooftops as far as the eye could see. It was nice to sit down for a few moments and discuss art, architecture and philosophy with Dad with Firenze at our feet. It is nice to travel with someone who finds interest in completely opposite things to you and call your attention to them, like how a building is made. It is also nice to travel with someone like you, who loves shopping (mum had already bought a bag for dad, a wallet for her and many other little tidbits). I, myself, have bought a glorious leather journal and a smaller, cheaper one as a notebook to record my travel thoughts. I will probably have to limit myself to that as the place we are staying in while gorgeous and gratefully central, is on the expensive side (the cost per night is my entire daily budget!).
We have decided not to go to Rome. Mum and dad will miss out but I have one day there after Egypt. It would be too much travelling in the car and we love each other too much to fake our smiles in the photos and thinking "Are we having fun yet?" because we are grumpy. So we stay in the area of Tuscany tomorrow (San Giamano and Siena are mum's requests) and then head to Venice. We have yet to book any accomodation but will look on the net tonight and book then. We have learnt our lesson on accomodation in Europe.
One interesting point in Florence (and Paris that we saw) are people selling things on the streets to tourists (because locals are too clever to buy it). Things like posters of Renaissaince art, sunglasses, Gucci and Prada bags. They are laid out on makeshift tables and sheets and the reason we found out last night is because it is illegal to have anything lying on the street. Last night while were persuing the plethora of jewellery on the Ponte Vecchio (ok I was looking!!) and a flurry of activity behind me and in front of Mum and Dad brought our attention to 2 police women scooping up as much posters off the ground as she could. The "Owner" of the stall was busily scooping up as many as he could too. The police woman abused him in Italian (I'm pretty sure it was Italian - some things don't need translating) and all the other dodgy vendors picked up their parcels and were holding them as if they were their personal belongings. Five minutes after the police left, down went the artwork and scarves and toy cars,etc. They certainly kept their eyes down the bridge but still went back to business. It was very interesting to watch.
We are heading back to the Ponte Vecchio tonight to get a sunset shot of the bridge and wander around. The shops are open until 7.30pm which is awesome. We missed out on seeing some museums today and the David statue are they are closed on Mondays. We will try and get up early to see it. I got a photo of the copy statue so if I miss out it is OK. I am in the city that Michelangelo ran around the streets when he was growing up. That counts for something.
I am really loving Florence. It is gorgeous to wander the streets with such history in the cobbled stones and old houses. I am doing OK with the language. I try to speak Italian and the requestee says "Si" (yes) and I think they understand me but I could be asking him if he likes my butt. So far noone has slapped me or walked off in disgust so I don't think I've said anything too bad.
Well, seeing as I vented yesterday there isn't really too much more that I can bore you with. Rest assured that I am having an absolute blast and wish you were all here with me. (most of you anyway! just kidding, if I was rich I'd bring you all here)
Until the next time (maybe tomorrow because we have free internet until 11am - yes I know I sound cheap), stay happy and healthy.
Kym
Monday 11th Sept 5.44pm
Today's itinerary began thus;
The Duomo and inside the Cathedral Di Santa Something-or-other, which was the first church I have been into that required you to cover up (no singlets or short skirts/shorts, etc). A preview of Egypt no doubt. It was very pretty. It is being cleaned at present and so part is covered by scaffolding. It has been the case at many heritage sites we have visited, the prefection being marred by construction, and even though we understand the need for it we can't help but wish that it was being cleaned/preserved next week. It has gotten to the point that we are disappointed if we DON'T see scaffolding. The church is very different from others we have seen (dad breathed a sigh of relief, his catch-cry is "Not another church!") The outside is cream and green marble (not a grey concrete look like so many others) and inside it is vast with lovely mosiac marble floors. Dad and I climbed the 463 steps to the top dome and looked at a spectacular view of Florence. Red stucco rooftops as far as the eye could see. It was nice to sit down for a few moments and discuss art, architecture and philosophy with Dad with Firenze at our feet. It is nice to travel with someone who finds interest in completely opposite things to you and call your attention to them, like how a building is made. It is also nice to travel with someone like you, who loves shopping (mum had already bought a bag for dad, a wallet for her and many other little tidbits). I, myself, have bought a glorious leather journal and a smaller, cheaper one as a notebook to record my travel thoughts. I will probably have to limit myself to that as the place we are staying in while gorgeous and gratefully central, is on the expensive side (the cost per night is my entire daily budget!).
We have decided not to go to Rome. Mum and dad will miss out but I have one day there after Egypt. It would be too much travelling in the car and we love each other too much to fake our smiles in the photos and thinking "Are we having fun yet?" because we are grumpy. So we stay in the area of Tuscany tomorrow (San Giamano and Siena are mum's requests) and then head to Venice. We have yet to book any accomodation but will look on the net tonight and book then. We have learnt our lesson on accomodation in Europe.
One interesting point in Florence (and Paris that we saw) are people selling things on the streets to tourists (because locals are too clever to buy it). Things like posters of Renaissaince art, sunglasses, Gucci and Prada bags. They are laid out on makeshift tables and sheets and the reason we found out last night is because it is illegal to have anything lying on the street. Last night while were persuing the plethora of jewellery on the Ponte Vecchio (ok I was looking!!) and a flurry of activity behind me and in front of Mum and Dad brought our attention to 2 police women scooping up as much posters off the ground as she could. The "Owner" of the stall was busily scooping up as many as he could too. The police woman abused him in Italian (I'm pretty sure it was Italian - some things don't need translating) and all the other dodgy vendors picked up their parcels and were holding them as if they were their personal belongings. Five minutes after the police left, down went the artwork and scarves and toy cars,etc. They certainly kept their eyes down the bridge but still went back to business. It was very interesting to watch.
We are heading back to the Ponte Vecchio tonight to get a sunset shot of the bridge and wander around. The shops are open until 7.30pm which is awesome. We missed out on seeing some museums today and the David statue are they are closed on Mondays. We will try and get up early to see it. I got a photo of the copy statue so if I miss out it is OK. I am in the city that Michelangelo ran around the streets when he was growing up. That counts for something.
I am really loving Florence. It is gorgeous to wander the streets with such history in the cobbled stones and old houses. I am doing OK with the language. I try to speak Italian and the requestee says "Si" (yes) and I think they understand me but I could be asking him if he likes my butt. So far noone has slapped me or walked off in disgust so I don't think I've said anything too bad.
Well, seeing as I vented yesterday there isn't really too much more that I can bore you with. Rest assured that I am having an absolute blast and wish you were all here with me. (most of you anyway! just kidding, if I was rich I'd bring you all here)
Until the next time (maybe tomorrow because we have free internet until 11am - yes I know I sound cheap), stay happy and healthy.
Kym
posted by kym at
8:49 AM
2 Comments:
This blog site is beginning to be the highlight of my day. Love ya.
Rochelle
By
Anonymous, at 8:43 PM
Yes we know you are cheap and we know you have actually asked someone to touch your butt. Admit it!!! Hope he was cute!! I wish I was there to speak italiano with you. Don't forget to say 'silencio' to another tourist when you are looking at more churches tomorrow, and when they say sorry, you say 'prego' (your welcome or excused) and then you'll look almost like a local! Tell Dad he shouldn't complain about looking at the architecture of churches, because he could be staring at the architecture of a job site here in Perth instead! Seriously, glad you are loving Florence and that you have someone to ooh and aah over it all with. Love you lots, Haylee.
By
Anonymous, at 4:43 AM
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