Cobblestone streets and mmmm... gelati

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  Florence, Tuscany, Italy
Sunday, June 29, 2008

I am just doing a quick entry, more so to let you know i have FINALLY had a chance to upload all of my photos from Ios up until Rome, so please go back and check them out. I hope it makes it easier for you to see where i have been!!

We arrived from Rome into Florence yesterday, and as i couldnt get accomodation in the camping ground that Busabout drop you off at (i may have left it till the last minute... doesnt matter though) i had to catch a bus into town with my monster annoying heavy pack on, and then find another bus to take me back out to my booked accomodation, Camping Michaelangelo. Im actually glad that i came here, its still basic bed-tents and there is no power to them, but the campsite is the closest to town and is situated in an olive grove on the side of the hill overlooking the city. Its spectacular. and it definately reminds me that i am in Italy. Cause sometimes i forget that i am halfway around the world. Its strange.

We got into Florence reasonably early and i had time to have a shower and a wander before i walked back into town. All the campsites that i have stayed at have been so far away from the towns that its almost essencial to catch a bus/train in to the centre, but this camp is only 25 mins walk from the centre which is great. and the walk down is very pretty.

I had to meet the rest of the group for a dinner that we had booked, but i wasnt too sure on where i was meant to go to meet them. Our guide, Leah, had told me to meet them at what she called 'the gates of paradise'. she said you couldnt miss them, they were huge gold or bronze gates next to a church. i figured it wouldnt be too hard to find, i would just get a map off reception and ask them where it was. but on my way down i asked a couple of people, and funnily enough, they had never heard of them. i couldnt remember the name of the church cause there are so many in Florence. i asked 3 different groups of people before one said that there were big doors at one certain church, so i took my chances and headed there.

After wandering all the way around the church, and not seeing any big gates, i was starting to get a little frustrated. Until i came around to where i had begun my circle, and on the opposite side of where i had begun, there they were. or at least what i assumed were the gates. they were gold for starters!!!

they ended up being the right ones and i found the group. our dinner was at a restaurant called the House of Sizzle, and as a special they offered us 15euro for a 4 course meal plus a glass of wine, beer or softdrink. And it was amazing - in both value and food. first course was the most amazing bruscetta i have ever eaten. the tomatos in Tuscany have such a strong rich flavour, and they were garlicy and covered in fresh basil. second course was a serve of 2 types of pasta, one in a spicy tomato sauce, and the second in what we believe was a spinach sauce. both were great. by this time, i was getting very full, and was only just at the halfway mark. third course was the most tender chunks of beef cooked in some sort of tomato broth stuff and chips, and forth was 2 scoops of chocolate gelati. Perfect. I was almost overflowing from food.

The bar next door had reserved a couple of tables for us to sit at, so we went to have a chill out and chat. this bar is also frequented by the Contiki groups, and about half an hour later, we were inundated by over 50 rowdy contiki-ers, who got stuck right into drinking and went completely nuts. alot were aussie guys who were chanting, singing waltzing matilda, and drinking a lot of beer. the aussies in my group all felt a little embarassed for ourselves, as they certainly made a great effort to tarnish our fantastic reputation. they all cleared out though once the kareoke started. I left at about 11pm, as i had to get back to camp by myself and didnt want to miss the last bus. It was a really nice night, still lots of shops open (for a Saturday night) and very warm. Florence has a very welcoming feel at night. i felt very safe. I caught my bus back and before heading back to camp, walked 50m up to the Piazzale Michaelangiolo where you get an amazing view of the city.

Florence is famous for a few things, leather and art, but one of the main things that people come here for is to see the statue of David. there are actually 3 versions through the city, the original is in one of the museums, there is a replica in one of the town squares, and the last is a bronze version which they have put on the top of this hill where i am staying, the Piazzale Michaelangiolo. To see the original you have to pay to get into the museum, and then wait in a monsterously huge line, but im not going to bother, as i have seen 2 out of the 3 now.

Today has been really hot and as its a Sunday, not alot is open. But i came into town and walked along the river, before heading into a flea market and then to a supermarket to buy a cheap lunch of milk and watermelon. I found this very cheap internet cafe and since i dont have much else to do, had the time to upload all of these photos for you all to enjoy. I think now i am going to get some more gelati and do a spot of windowshopping.

enjoy the photos :)

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