Finding Firenze

So my computer does not like the new wifi system next door to our hotel so I'm typing this on my phone. Please forgive any errors, I'm doing my best!

Anyways. I last left you when I was spending money in the Venice markets - they were lovely! I don't remember if I mentioned, but we did get to visit the Academia in Venice, as well as the Guggenheim. The Guggenheim was definitely my favorite of the two. Some cool stuff there - including Jackson Pollock, who I had never heard of before, but surprisingly enjoyed. Their was some crazy stuff too, but when isn't there?

After the Guggenheim, we packed up and enjoyed a nice, steamy ride of the ferry before our four hour bus ride to Florence. This is the first time I've been consciously thankful for the cram amine I've been taking on travel days. All sorts of motion sickness pills and techniques were being passed all over the bus for the last hour or so, it was a little rough. We all survived though and got to enjoy Florence for the evening! It was stupendous just walking down the street, aimlessly following streets to find some dinner, only to come around the corner and have the Duomo looming overheard. So phenomenal. I didn't take my camera with me, something I sincerely regret now since my camera is having technical difficulties :( will update on that once I manage to figure it out.

This morning we visited the Academia of Florence, and there was some cool stuff. Their prize piece is definitely Michaelangelo's David. Not too bad if you ask me. It's definitely way taller than I was expecting. I haven't figured out what makes it rank so much higher than some of the other statues, but that's just me. Maybe I'm also biased when it comes to David's, but who could say.

After the Academia, there was quite a movement to the leather market. Delightful smell - even despitethe heat and sweat going on. I enjoyed looking around. And no, I didn't go crazy! I just found a thing or two. And helped some friends drive down their prices :)

After lunch, where the pizza maker was sweet enough to make out bread into little pizza hearts, we headed to the Uffizi. The tour guide we had was a little dry, and hard to handle in the epic heat, but we wandered on our own for awhile, enjoying the pieces for our own delight. The late afternoon yielded some shopping before some relaxation - and a cafe with free wifi, obviously.

Oh, and just a side note, I don't have pink eye. My eye was quite swollen last night, and still pretty bad this morning, but the day and plenty of cleanings have helped. And I'm pretty sure the girl who had pink eye was a bit of a false alarm. So I am ok, don't freak out over my melodramatics. But I'm sure you are all used to that by now :)

Ok too much phone typing! Need to get back to exploring and enjoying my last week of Italia! Hopefully we will be a safe distance from the leather market, otherwise I may come home broke :)
Lucy