Hey, are you coming to Florence?

There are those times when your friends call you and say, “Hey, put on some pants, we are going to grab a bite!” Then there are times when you get a text after being out until 2 AM that say, “Hey, are you coming to Florence? The bus leaves in 40 min.”—and then you proceed to eat/shower/dress/pack and have your gracious host mother drive you to the bus stop (after arguing about where the bus picks up for 20 minutes even though you know she’s right you’re just not entirely sure what she is attempting to explain so you just keep reiterating what you know until she finally gives up and takes you to the bus stop that you know) to have enough time to buy a bus ticket (from the tobacco shop, not the station) and leave. Worth it? Of course.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It was so fun to jump into the city and have no plans and no real idea of what we wanted to do. Did I get to climb the Duomo? No. But because I didn’t I “accidentally” climbed the bell tower just in time for the bell to toll during sundown and got to watch the sun paint the sky near one of the most profound architectural wonders of the world. While up in the tower, and inspecting the city I though of the strange propensity for the human race to want to build up. Why is that? The Eiffel Tower, Il Duomo, The Pisa Tower, that crazy giant burial chamber thing in China of the first emperor that I don’t remember the name of (because let’s be honest I don’t remember any of that class…). It is simply amazing to think that people are able to construct such immense pieces of architecture that defy gravity for 700+ years. Brunelleschi, you get an A+ in Physics and Art.

We also get the chance to enter Orsanmichelle (yes, the one with all the beautiful statues), which we wandered onto unannounced. Donatello’s  St. Mark still killin’ it. Also, in pursuits of purchasing some Italian underwear–and yes I got some Armani–I realized that I didn’t stop at the Santa Maria Novella and walked in just in time for mass. Really, that just means they were too nice to forcibly remove me from the space, but I was able to see the cool stuff for free, just a little further away. Also, the mass itself was gorgeous and I high recommend attending if you have not.

Finished the evening with a stroll around the busy city. Successfully navigated the bus back. Dinner was on the table. 10/10 would do again–next time Uffizi and Borgello! Ciao!