Well today started out a little off, I got a bloody nose and we woke up late, but what else is new. I had a breakfast of fruit and bread, blah blah. Not like anything in the states. The food is so bland and tasteless, not like anything you would expect. After this we boarded a shuttle to the train station. I loved seeing all the train signs switch every letter and number, it was like a scene from Harry Potter. The train was an interesting trip. You have 3 minutes to board the train, people push and you have to haul your entire bag up to the top, and mine is 50 lbs. We sat down and decided to turn on a movie, Prince of Egypt, thanks to Abel. I was so tired and just passed out. I woke up in time to see the rolling hills and villas of Tuscany. It was gorgeous!
We arrived at the train station in Venice and immediately were face to face with Santa Maria Novella. It is an Etruscan church that has been turned half renaissance. It was white and green stone, very different than anything we’ve seen. I love that every sentence I say starts with its. Sorry! Anyway, we met our guide there and got our adorable little headsets to listen to her for 3 hours. By this time I was far past exhausted and struggled with completing two tasks at once, I know it seems ridiculous but walking and listening gets hard under the Florence sun. She took us to the church where Masaccio’s work was. I saw the Adam and Eve and could not believe that it was A. that small and B. that old. When you think about how old it is and the fact that no one else had done anything like that, it’s amazing! Next we walked over bridges and looked at all the shops. We learned a lot of information that it’s hard to process it all. Here’s a brief synopsis… Florence was once the center of huge markets, well known for their gold and wool. A large wealthy Family would own a large piazza and let other families live within their piazza, the palaces are huge and decorated, but not like they are in Rome. Florence is definitely a different more medieval look. This is the center of the Renaissance where all arts started.
We ended our tour at the Duomo, or cathedral and baptistery. It was similar to the style of Novella in the fact that it is striped with colors and a very different Etruscan style. The tour guide was telling us that they taught the Romans everything they know and that there are still some rivalries in certain towns. I found this funny because it’s similar to our civil war; everyone just wants to be the best with all the power. Once again words cannot describe the detail in these buildings. I can’t imagine how much they cost and how long it took to build them. I’m just glad they’re still here to enjoy.
Due to our exhausted nature we decided to go get gelato, our favorite, and call it a day. This place we went to, Grom was candy to my mouth. The owner has land where he grows all the fruit to make his products. I had the lemon and cookie dough this time; my goal is to try all the flavors. Every time I get some, it gets better and better. Lemon was divine! I highly recommend going there, if and when you get the chance.
Oh, did I mention that our hotel is…. Interesting. Our room smells like vinegar and is about two inches big. It has nice brick holes in the wall and we can’t decide if it’s a decoration or a needed repair. At least we have bathrooms… and two flights of stairs to climb.
All in all, I have to say that so far I like Rome much better. Florence is all really tall buildings, the drivers want to run you over, our hotel is a jolly good time, and it’s so hot here. The pros are the shopping! Everywhere you turn is another cute little store or market. I’m gonna enjoy that. Well it’s off to bed once again, in my cubby hole. (I feel like and arrogant brat, oh wait…)
We arrived at the train station in Venice and immediately were face to face with Santa Maria Novella. It is an Etruscan church that has been turned half renaissance. It was white and green stone, very different than anything we’ve seen. I love that every sentence I say starts with its. Sorry! Anyway, we met our guide there and got our adorable little headsets to listen to her for 3 hours. By this time I was far past exhausted and struggled with completing two tasks at once, I know it seems ridiculous but walking and listening gets hard under the Florence sun. She took us to the church where Masaccio’s work was. I saw the Adam and Eve and could not believe that it was A. that small and B. that old. When you think about how old it is and the fact that no one else had done anything like that, it’s amazing! Next we walked over bridges and looked at all the shops. We learned a lot of information that it’s hard to process it all. Here’s a brief synopsis… Florence was once the center of huge markets, well known for their gold and wool. A large wealthy Family would own a large piazza and let other families live within their piazza, the palaces are huge and decorated, but not like they are in Rome. Florence is definitely a different more medieval look. This is the center of the Renaissance where all arts started.
We ended our tour at the Duomo, or cathedral and baptistery. It was similar to the style of Novella in the fact that it is striped with colors and a very different Etruscan style. The tour guide was telling us that they taught the Romans everything they know and that there are still some rivalries in certain towns. I found this funny because it’s similar to our civil war; everyone just wants to be the best with all the power. Once again words cannot describe the detail in these buildings. I can’t imagine how much they cost and how long it took to build them. I’m just glad they’re still here to enjoy.
Due to our exhausted nature we decided to go get gelato, our favorite, and call it a day. This place we went to, Grom was candy to my mouth. The owner has land where he grows all the fruit to make his products. I had the lemon and cookie dough this time; my goal is to try all the flavors. Every time I get some, it gets better and better. Lemon was divine! I highly recommend going there, if and when you get the chance.
Oh, did I mention that our hotel is…. Interesting. Our room smells like vinegar and is about two inches big. It has nice brick holes in the wall and we can’t decide if it’s a decoration or a needed repair. At least we have bathrooms… and two flights of stairs to climb.
All in all, I have to say that so far I like Rome much better. Florence is all really tall buildings, the drivers want to run you over, our hotel is a jolly good time, and it’s so hot here. The pros are the shopping! Everywhere you turn is another cute little store or market. I’m gonna enjoy that. Well it’s off to bed once again, in my cubby hole. (I feel like and arrogant brat, oh wait…)
K, girl sleeping next to you, fox!
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