02 August 2008

Firenze!

I am finally in Florence, and all I can say is that it is completely surreal and absolutely wonderful. I took a taxi from the train station and so went right by the Duomo and the Palazzo Vecchio and it was all I could do to keep from telling the driver to stop! From my apartment, I can see the Palazzo Vecchio and I’m literally on the doorstep of the Uffizi, which makes me incredibly happy. I plan to go walk around later to take everything in and bask in the fact that I am in really in Florence. In the morning, I’m going to make my first trip to the Uffizi (I got an Amici degli Uffizi card, so I can go anytime I want, as many times as I want - very, very dangerous).

Also, thank you all again for all the emails/Facebook/text messages - your advice, encouragement, and well wishes mean so much!

The Piazza della Signoria with the Palazzo Vecchio and Loggia dei Lanzi

Orsanmichele! Unfortunately the interior was closed due to ongoing restoration.

Quattro Coronati

Saint Mark

St. George - my favorite

Doubting Thomas

Il Duomo!

The Campanile

The Baptistery

Ghiberti's "Gates of Paradise"

Cantoria by Luca della Robbia, another of my favorites.

The iconic dome

Santa Croce

Dante - somehow I don't think he'd be too happy about this statue.

Gelato count: 7