A Fine time in Florence

I just ordered a hamburger from this hostel in Cinque Terre.  Apparently, they were very literal, and it’s ONLY hamburger…no bun!  Still, it was very good and came with tomatoes and lettuce. 

Florence and I got off to a rocky start.  I caught the right train going out of Rome, and had a very nice ride, talking to two older women.  It all started when I stepped off the train and onto the bus.  I tried to find a way to buy a ticket, but to no avail.  The bus was crowded and I not only had my backpack, but a suitcase.  (I have a suitcase because I want to live in Europe, and have a little more than my backpack can carry.  I’m dropping it off in Prague sometime next week.)  I asked the driver if the train was going in the direction of my hostel, but he didn’t understand.  Another bus-rider/English-speaker took compassion on me and translated my question to the driver.  Turns out I was going in the wrong direction, but it would eventually turn around.  A man stepped on the train and asked for my ticket.  I told him I didn’t know how to get one, and he said I’d have to pay the 50 euro find!  I just about cried.  I think he saw the expression on my face, took pity on me, and let me buy a ticket from the driver.  I have since learned how to buy the ticket in advance!  I eventually made it to my hostel and relaxed.

I woke up Sunday morning and caught a bus to an LDS church meeting.  My phone map told me I was fairly close, when I saw a young couple with a baby walking in the same direction, wearing their Sunday best.  I fell into line behind them, then gathered my courage to say, "Scusi…Inglese?"  The girl looked confused for a second, and said, "Are you asking if we speak English?"  I asked if they were Mormons and going to church, and they said yes.  As we got to talking, they told me that they are traveling around the world for a year, living in 12 countries, spending a month in each.  I was so fascinated!  I always thought I needed to have this adventure now, because how could I do it with a husband and kid in tow?  I'm so glad to see I was proven wrong.  If you want to check out their blog, it's www.twelvecountries.com.  Their names are Scott, Emily, and Carter.  I sat with them during the church meetings, then went to their apartment where we made pancakes, then went to the city centre.  I took pictures of all these beautiful churches, but on Facebook, my brother suggested…why not take pictures of the LDS churches, too?  What a great idea, Jeremy!  I hadn't even considered that!

I got up really early on Monday morning to hop on the train to Pisa.  Even though the ticket price to climb to the top is ridiculous (€18!) but I figured it wasn't worth the time to only go get my picture in front of it, and it's something I wanted to do.  It's ok, though, it all evens out.  It was pretty cool to climb to the top, it's definitely a core workout to keep yourself balanced!

After Pisa, I went back to Florence and wandered around a bit.  I climbed the Palazza Vecchio (another tower!) and took some pictures.  By 4:00, I was beat.  BUT…I wanted to see a bona fide Florentine sunset that I've heard so much about!  So I hung out on an old building, read my book, fell asleep (I probably ruined a lot of pictures of that building), and waited until about 6:30, when I relocated to the bridge.  All in all, I was pretty disappointed.  I hear they can be amazing, but this particular one, was not.  And then, of course, I took the wrong bus home and ended up walking a lot more.

This morning, Emily and I met early to go meet David :)