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Ponte Vecchio
The 'old bridge'. Medieval in origin. The only one not bombed by the Germans in WWII. Got into Florence right on time last night, about 7 p.m. Texted one of the tour organisers to find out whether my choir was still at dinner - they were just finishing up, so I waited for them at the hotel. They staggered in, slowly, jet-lagged and tired (they only got into Italy yesterday... after travelling for 20 hours or so). They greeted me, and the vast majority promptly went off to bed. I uploaded photos while watching the Spain vs. Germany game in the hotel lobby. I wasn't entirely sure who I was cheering for in that one - since I don't have any particular attachment to either country (although I have discovered that, when applicable, I usually cheer for the European team... Although my usual 'anyone but Italy' cheering philosophy reigns there, too... Don't worry, I haven't mentioned that to any locals yet!).
I've discovered some wicked bug bites on my leg - I think they must have happened while I was out watching the football last night, as I was wearing shorts...
As per usual when there are other people in the room, I didn't sleep as well as I've slept the last few nights. But
The Baptistry
Baptistry in the square outside of Santa Maria Fiore. that's to be expected. Hopefully I get used to it after a few nights.
This morning shortly after 10, we headed out and had a short walking tour of the central area of the city with our guide, Alessio (who's the poor guy who's stuck with us for this entire tour, so we have someone to translate when we get stuck and such). Saw most of the main sites within about a 6-Canadian-block radius. Which in an old European city, is actually a lot. The Palazzo and Ponte Vecchio, Santa Croce, and the Galleria degli Uffizi. We had a guided tour of the Uffizi with an expert in late medieval/Renaissance art, which was absolutely fabulous - I felt kind of like I was back in University - I miss those days!
This p.m., I split off from the group and toured the Duomo (technically the Chiesa di Santa Maria del Fiore). The inside was interesting, as was the audio tour, but the best bit had to have been climbing all 463 stairs (which actually really isn't all that bad when you consider that the stairs at Ezio Faraone Park are about 200), and getting a view of the
View from the top of the Duomo
I braved my fear of heights (which, oddly, was worse on the walkways INSIDE the Cathedral than outside on the cupola) and headed up the dome... city from what HAS to be the highest point in the city. This may not seem like a particularly big deal, but I have a horrendous fear of heights. Which, oddly, was much worse INSIDE the Cathedral than it was outside on the cupola. Probably because the walkway was much more narrow inside the dome (you couldn't really pass the person in front of you) than on the outside. It's odd. I don't panic, but my heart beats quickly, and I feel the need to press up against the most solid wall available. I was not impressed when the people in front of me stopped moving to take photos and such! But I survived!
I'm typing as I wait for the rest of the group. We have a concert tonight - should be interesting!
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