Fabulous Florence

Today began with an adventure.  I left myself plenty of time for getting lost between the Convent and the hotel in Florence.  I told myself to relax, that I would get there when I got there . . . to be Italian in mindset.  I shoved everything I brought into my one rolling backpack and locked both zippers so that I would not have to worry too much about pickpockets on the bus and train, and then I set out.

I waited at the correct bus stop, and caught the correct bus to the train station.  That’s when things started going downhill.  I bought a ticket at the self service ticket machine.  My train was leaving in 15 minutes, but I bought a “flexible” ticket that would be good for 24 hours, just in case.

Well, for the life of me I could not figure out which platform my train was leaving from.  There are departure and arrival charts all over the station, but none of them listed a train from Rome to Florence at the time my train was leaving.  After the time of departure had passed, I finally found an information counter with people who spoke English.  The lady told me that my ticket was still good (which I knew), that the next train would depart in 30 minutes, and that she couldn’t help me figure out which platform; I needed to check the board.  I told her that’s how I missed the first train, and she shrugged.

So again, I walked all around the train station checking the boards.  Again I couldn’t find my train listed, and again I missed the departure.  Not knowing what else to do, I eventually returned to the information counter.  This time a man helped me.  He could tell I was upset and kindly explained that my train was headed “in the direction of Venice” and that I needed to check the departure boards for a train to Venice -  not Florence.  My ticket did not say that, so I’m still not sure how I would have ever figured it out.  But armed with that information I easily found and boarded the next train to Florence.

While on the train I noticed that the man next to me was reading Rick Steves  Italy, and wondered if he was on the tour.  When he got out his information packet, I knew for sure.  I introduced myself to him and his wife.   When we got to Florence we walked together to the hotel and then grabbed lunch before meeting the rest of the group.  Steve and his wife, Liz, are from Chicago, and Liz is a high school English teacher, so we had lots to talk about.

Walking into Florence, the view of the Duomo is spectacular.  It seems like a backdrop for a movie set.  It is so huge, and beautiful.  I have never seen so much marble in all my life, and it is all different colors of green, pink, and white.

View of the Duomo and the Baptistry

Around 3 p.m. we met the rest of the group.  So far, it looks like a good group of people.  I am rooming with another lady, Bente, who teaches elementary school in Atlanta.  There are several other teachers on the tour as well - I would say at least 8 out of the 24 participants.  We began our tour with a Renaissance walk around Florence, which was quite interesting.  I’m already enjoying having someone around to tell me about the history and significance of the art that we are seeing instead of having to look it up myself.

We then walked to the Academia to see Michelangelo’s David.  It’s very impressive – much larger than I realized.  We learned some about Michelangelo’s life and work as well as sculpture during the Italian Renaissance.  I also toured a musical instrument museum that is located in the Academia.  It included the Medici’s early hammer dulcimer, made from marble (I thought of you, Sally), harpsichords, and the world’s first upright piano.  It was a really neat exhibit but unfortunately pictures were not allowed.

The best part of today, however, was dinner.  I finally had the Italian meal I have been dreaming about for years!  We went to a local restaurant and had a traditional Italian meal.  All the food and wine was included in the tour price.  We had the house red wine and sparkling water.  We then began with antipasta: a bread salad that is made from stale bread, tomatoes, cucumbers, bay leaves, and lettuce with oil and pepper.  It was delicious.  The next course was the pasta: pasta with smoked prosciutto, zucchini florets, and alfredo sauce.  The third course is the pasto, or meal: they call it Robespierre - flaming pork (they pour liquor on it and set it on fire when they serve it) and spinach.  Last came a table full of deserts from which to choose.  I, of course, had the tiramisu.  It was amazing – probably my favorite thing I have ever tasted!!

Tiramisu

To end the night we strolled down to the city hall and watched a little of a ballet they were performing outside.  I walked down with a couple and a family from our group.  I did not go out in Rome after dark since I was alone, but Italy is actually very pleasant when the sun goes down.  It’s finally cool enough to stroll and enjoy it.  All in all, it was a really great night, and a wonderful beginning to our tour of Italy.  I’m definitely looking forward to tomorrow.