A full day of touring Florence. I started after class finally going in the Santa Croce. My school is right by it and I pass it coming and going everyday. I also spend my 20 minute “pausa” in its piazza every morning but I had not gone in. I was surprised that there was a 6€ charge for entering but oh well when in Rome and all that.

The church was definitely worth it. There was a museum attached and a beautiful courtyard. I wandered through for close to two hours. Glad I didn’t try to run in during my pausa which was my original thought. Dante’s grave is there as are several Medici of lessor notoriety. There was some mention of this church being part of the fall of the Medici but it was in italian and I couldn’t make it all out. There was also a memorial piece that was probably the precursor to the statute of liberty. She was very similar and started before the French started on the SoL. She was also called liberty and she was standing on books holding a broken chain. The ceiling of the church was just like the palazzo vechio. The same blue and red colors and everything.

After the church I shopped for a while. On day one I wandered around for a while looking for the Leather School when had I only gone in the church I would have been right there. You can move between the two, a back courtyard connects them. Still considering a purse there but I have already bought enough already. Knowing me I am won’t be surprised if I don’t go get it tomorrow.

I finally found some of the mosaic frames. My mom had asked for a large one and I hadn’t seen any. Finally a shop had a large collection and even had some on sale. I couldn’t help buying a few for myself as well.

I walked by all the high end designer stores but didn’t go in any. They were all very stuffy looking. Most had guards at the door. Not very inviting. I took a few pictures and went on my way.

I ate pizza on the run. It was good but nothing like Perugia. I think I will dream of those stuffed pizzas.

After piddling most of the afternoon I headed the the Uffizi. I had gone in last week but didn’t do much it was way to crowded. Yesterday was perfect. There was hardly anyone there. I forgot how big it was. I remembered the two main halls on the top but forgot all about all the others.

Surprisingly the Uffizi allows photos now (no flash). I was shocked but snapped a few along my tour. It is amazing how you can add light to a picture now so that even almost totally dark images can be lightened.

I remembered climbing stairs to get to the first exhibit but I didn’t remember it being so bad. Four long flights before you get to the top. I thought I was in better shape but I was winded when I finally made it.

Of course I hit all the highlights. The botecelli’s were first but they didn’t look as good as I remembered. The colors were not as bright. They are still beautiful but probably getting close to the time for them to be restored. Compared to the Michelangelo which is bright with color they looked dull. His Madonna and child is probably my favorite piece in the museum.

I went a little to slowly through the upper galleries and had to rush through the end. They kept playing “the museum will be closing in XX minutes” and it made me nervous. Like somehow I would be stuck in there over night. You are never real sure where the hallways lead so I didn’t know how far from the exit I was when we got the 5 minute warning. Turns out I was just basically around the corner.

From the Uffizi I walked around looking for somewhere for dinner. I didn’t choose as well as last night. It was okay but not great. I’ll have to do better tonight for my last night in Florence. They did serve me the biggest glass of prosecco I have ever had. Iight stop in there for a pre-dinner glass tonight.

Getting close to the end so I spent my evening looking for the things I haven’t done yet so I can make plans for my last day in Florence.