My Quiet Night in Florence

I must say that I love the efficiency of the trains in Europe. I have brought this up before, but you can have a cappochino in Venice and by lunch you can have a slice of pizza and a glass of wine in Florance......and that is exactly what I did.

Making my way out out on Venice this morning on the vaparetto was calming. I have really enjoyed cruising the canals! It was raining out this morning, but it was still very nice. I was the only one outside on the back deck enjoying the view while I was able to soak it in. Everyone else was huddled in the cabin trying to keep dry and warm. When I arrived at the dock for the train station I still had some time before my train left. I found a spot for my morning cappachino then headed on my train.

Venice

I wanted to go to Florence, but I don't know exactly why. I had heard and read that it was a wonderful place, but my concern was that I'd have nothing to do. People have said it is the art capital of Italy (and maybe even Europe) and there would be plenty to enjoy. However, my view on art is a little bit different from those who actually enjoy it. Many of you would understand, but if not you'd have to read my blog from my first full day in London. Ultimately I decided to go because I need to judge for myself and because it's a good go-between from Venice to Rome.

I arrived in Florance and their tourist info office was literary boarded up. Odd! There were people EVERYWHERE!! I bought a small map and headed to my hostel. My hostel was about a 15-minute walk from the train station, but finding it was a cinch. It was right in the middle of the Old Town area which was a very nice area to be in for the night. When I walked up the stairs to the hostel I was told that the hostel was doing their cleaning and not to come back until 4pm. It's not uncommon for hostels to have hours were they do cleaning, but generally it's not such a huge gap. I had arrived there at about 11ish. It didn't bother me because I planned to walk around town all day, but it is nice to have the flexibility to jump in a take a mid-afternoon nap, rest your feet for an hour, or hang out to meet other hostel people. Well, I was able to leave my bag and enjoy my day back-pain free.

I covered Florance; I saw just about everything! Well, at least everything you could see without going into a museum. I really dig the town! Especially the Old Town area with the cobbled streets. Very cool!

Florence

Me in Florence

I found a nice spot for lunch where I had a slice of pizza and a glass of wine. Once I saw all the main sights I was able to get lost in some of the back streets. I even found a little barber shop and popped in for an Italian haircut.

I have been trying to find a barber since Budapest. I hadn't had much luck. When I spotted one in Florence and (by that time) had covered a fair amount of the city, I decided that this was a good opportunity. As much as I'd love to come home with my shaggy backpacker hair, it feels so dirty since sometimes you have to skip that shower. Also, if it's cold I'll wear by beanie, but it gives me really BAD hat-hair. The longer it is the worse it gets. Anyway, I go into this place and the man doesn't speak much English so we are trying to communicate using hand motions. Jokingly, I point to a picture of this really good-looking Italian stud and say, "Make me look like him!" Then he knew exactly how to cut my hair. Now, it wasn't REALLY the hair-style I wanted, but he looked so happy and confident that I just let him go with it. My new Italian hair cut isn't THAT bad, but I think I should have shaved my head in Nurnberg when I had the chance.

If I ever comeback to Florence, which I doubt, I think I'd like to see the Palace. Don't get me wrong, Florence is wonderful, but I think there are so many other cities in Italy that I would enjoy more. One thing that Florance has that makes it so cool.....it has a Ninja Turtle.

Hero in a Half Shell

Oh, one observation I have made since being in Florance is this: With the exception of the UK and Ireland. I have heard more people speak English in Florence that in any other European city. Now, these people are all tourists. TONS of tourists in Florance! It's crazy!

So my next little rants might get gross, offend, or be in poor taste. You've been warned!

1. There is a clothing style in Europe that drives me nuts. I hate it! It's a lady's fashion where they wear very tight and short shorts, over stockings. It doesn't sound too bad, but women of Europe......please shave your legs!!!!! I swear the stockings they wear make the leg hair stick out like a caterpillar. SO GROSS!!!

2. Yes, I went to Florance, had a great time, and didn't go into ANY museums. No, I did not see the statue of David. There was a replica outside of the museum that was good enough for me. I know I know I know.....some of you might think I'm stupid or wonder why I didn't see it. I'll tell you: First, I enjoy art and I can admire the effort put in, but I'm not all THAT jazzed about it. Some museums are great, but many bore me to tears. Secondly, I'm not going to wait in line half the day and pay the expensive entrance fee just to see a naked white man's penis. I'm sure my mom would be proud of this opinion. Also, if I really wanted to see a naked white man's penis I'm sure there are places in San Francisco where I could pay to do just that......without the wait and for far less money!

So there you have it!

In the early evening I headed back to the hostel to rest for a while. I met my roomies who are these three American girls from the East Coast. They are studying in London and are on their Spring Break. Fun to chat with! I've decided to head to Rome early and they just came from Rome. They are one their way to Venice and I just came from Venice. We had a lot to talk about!

I decided that since I had an exciting and loud night before....with only four hours of sleep too. I decided to take it easy in Florence and rest for Rome. My quiet evening consisted of finding a small market, grabbing some cheap food, and staying in for the night. I was a good thought, but not quite the way it turned out. So, I head out the doors of my hostel to find my market and enjoy my clam stroll through Florance. When I reach the street there are a ton of people dressed up in medieval clothing just hanging out. I think, "whatever, must be a medieval dinner show-type thing" and I move on. I begin to walk....and walk....and walk....and walk. I cannot find a market anywhere!!! Now, I'm tired and VERY hungry. I then realize that Florence is packed with people. There were so many people out and about in the streets. I then look down one street and it grid-locked with people. Then I hear cheering and music playing. I head toward it. Apparently there was some sort of Italian festival going on tonight. There were stages set-up all over and all these different performances going on. I stayed an listened for a while, but I didn't stay horribly long. To be honest I had built myself up for a quiet night and was still hungry and tired. I finally give-up my search for a market and find a small restaurant down this side street in the Old Town where it was quiet. I sat and ordered the spaghetti. Just for me, the man brings out a huge basket of bread, a pitcher of water, and my dinner plate. Here is the other funny part. So, I made a little mistake when I ordered my wine. I ordered a "nice Chianti" with my dinner and on the menu it was listed as different prices. It was listed as 1/4, 1/2, or full. With three different prices associated with it. I order the half because I'm thinking, "Okay, a half of bottle of wine is about two glasses and that is plenty for me. Plus, with two glasses I'll want to go straight to bed." It was a nice thought. Apparently, the measurements weren't by the bottle, but by the liter. I had just ordered a half of liter of wine! So out comes this huge vat of wine. I thought, "Oh shit!" So, I'm sure the people in the restaurant were looking at me like I was crazy! Needless to say, I had a very enjoyable dinner.

Florence

Florence

I walked back to the hostel and the three girls were there just talking and reading girlie magazines. They read me an article and got a male's perspective on things. Then I noticed that one of them had brought her stuft animal with her.....apparently so did one another girl. I laughed!

We all talked until we were all half asleep and then crashed. It was a fun "girls" night in the hostel.