Roma & Firenze

I stayed in Rome this weekend - but Lauren, Courtney and I decided to do a day trip to Florence on Saturday! Great life choice. 

Cartwheels next to Via Risorgimento (I'm on your left)

Italian dinner by Navona! Jess and Lauren

Andy and I

Thursday night Lauren, Jessica, Andy and I went into town to get our Italian dinner fix (I hadn't had gnocchi in weeks because of Greece!), got some gelato, and met up with the rest of JFRC at "Mood" to do a little dancing. 

The girls at The Perfect Bun - Jess, Me, Lauren

They had Heintz! 

yumm!

Pat, Jess, Dan

Friday, Lauren and I decided to go shopping on Via del Corso - mainly because I needed new running shoes at Nike Roma, but we ended up finding some other things at Brandy and Melville (oops!). Then we met up with Jessica and the boys at The Perfect Bun, and I had guacamole for the first time in months. So happy. Finally, we concluded our night again by meeting up with the rest of JFRC at a little Scottish place called Highlander - we took it over. On the walk back to our bus, Lauren and I were starving, so we popped into this little place near Piazza Cavour, and it ended up being a hopping, local spot - who knew? They served us pizza, we people watched, it was great! But...our train left at 8:00 the next morning, so we needed to leave and go to bed as soon as we finished our food. 

Il Duomo di Firenze spotted!

Inside

Early Saturday morning, Lauren and I ran to our train to meet up with Courtney and her mother, Fran (we were a little delayed by grabbing muffins and OJ at the station). After a quick nap, we were in Florence! 


Of course, I step off the train and it is pouring, and... I am in leather. So Lauren and I buy umbrellas from a gypsy on the street for 5 euro because we are desperate, and as soon as I hand over my 5...it stops. Sweet. But I quickly got over it, and got us down to the Duomo. I knew it was going to be great (it was the subject of my first essay in Italian), but I just had to marvel at it for a few minutes, it was even more amazing then expected.

Me, Lauren, Courtney

Exploring

We veered away to make our 10:45 Academia Museo reservation, grabbed the best cappuccino I've had in a long time, and found something new to marvel at. First, it was the plaster caste replica of "The Rape of the Sibine Woman" that I had been studying in my Baroque Art class...and then...it was "David" of course! Courtney and I were floored, now I really know what the big deal is all about. We sat there looking at him for about 45 minutes. Then we had to leave - bought small posters of the statue, and headed back through town, and down towards the Arno to grab lunch before the Uffizi. Lunch was delicious at a little jazz caffe. I got veggie soup (always a good idea in Tuscana), and roasted potatoes. mmm mmm mmm! 

Plaster caste of "The Rape of the Sibine Woman"

I adore the Uffizi. I got separated from the group because I was taking so long looking at everything. The gothic altarpieces and the Botticelli room were probably my favorite parts. Along with the pieces by Di Credi. I was really excited to see they had a Caravaggio exhibit...but they only had his Medusa piece...the rest were works by people using his style. Bummer.

Ponte Vecchio view

Arno

We left and headed straight back to the Duomo. We got in line to climb it, and it just wasn't moving at all. So we made the decision to explore the city with the limited time we had left, rather then wait for hours. I called Caitlin, my roommate from freshman year who is living in Florence this quarter, and she thought that was a good call. So we walked down to Ponte Vecchio (Old Bridge), did a little photo shoot, and then did some leather shopping. I didn't find anything good unfortunately, but it was really fun to look around, try and use some Italian, and explore the streets. I brought Rick Steves with me, and looked up a restaurant called "Golden View," and got us a window table with a view of the Ponte Vecchio at sunset. Gorgeous. Dinner was amazing. Of course I had to have a glass of Chianti. We did some appetizers of honey and cheese, and then I got veggie-saffron risotto and white beans on the side. Rick didn't steer us wrong! The service was great too! Lots of chit chat! 

Ponte Vecchio at night

After a pause for a nighttime view from the Ponte Vecchio - I turned to Rick again to find a good gelato place. We went to one right on the banks of the Arno, and then walked back to the train with it in hand. We passed the last traces of Rome in the city - the triumphal arch entrance - and then I went straight to sleep on the train. What a great day trip! Super easy. 


Sunday was dedicated to homework and relaxing in preparation for Barcelona this coming weekend for Halloween! Can't believe how fast time is flying. It's almost November. Crazy...


Til next time...Happy Halloween!