Day 8 - Florence

Sorry that this is a day late - we were too tired last night......
Amy is the guest writer for today.....

Today we set off to the Duomo again so that we could go up the stairs to the top of the cathedral dome. We all had a good breakfast so to have plenty of energy to climb! When we arrived, there was no one in line- we thought we had gotten there at just the right time. But then we read in Rick Steve's guide (the bible) that the dome (and all 463 stairs!!!) was closed on Sundays. So - quick change of plans. We went to the Duomo museum instead and saw many statues that they have excavated and old statues that used to be on the Duomo Cathedral and Baptistry. We saw how the newest facade of the cathedral came about. There were also pieces called saint's relics and they looked like ornate gold and silver cases with glass (like something the Eucharist would be in if you are familiar with that). On closer inspection, you could see a very old and decaying finger, jaw bone, arm or whatever..... that was supposed to be from that particular saint (literally from them). Jacob and I thought that was cool but a little creepy!!! We also saw the original Baptistry doors which they removed in 1990 because of the pollution and acid rain that had been damaging it. Beautiful!!!!

After that, we went to the San Lorenzo square where there are hundreds and hundreds of booths set up for locals to sell their wares - most of it though is just the same stuff that vendors sell around town - leather products, t-shirts, hats, jewelry, and other 'touristy' paraphernalia. We were able to buy some spices there and Jacob picked up some new shoes. Surprisingly, my 'Emelda Marcos' husband did not get any shoes!! After that, we went to lunch over by the Duomo. The first (yes - first) restaurant we went to was the Cafe Duomo... not one of our favorites! Mostly because no one waited on us for a long time. So - we finally got up and left and went next door to Donatella's where we had been the day before. The waiter there had been so nice. I actually thought of coercing him into coming home with us so that I could set him up with my friends Anna or Christine. Very sweet and very cute!! Andy says not bald though - sorry Christine!!

After lunch, we headed back to the 'Mercato Nuovo' (the one with the bronze pig - if you rub his snout, you are supposed to come back to Firenze). We did some major damage shopping. Andy and Jacob headed back to the hotel to take a nap (what wimps!!!). Mom, dad and I went across the Ponte Vecchio to continue our shopping spree. After we all came back to the hotel, we laid down for a few minutes before heading to dinner - back to Donatellas (our other favorite restaurant Nevalla's is closed on Sundays). After a great dinner outside sitting next to the Duomo, we leisurely walked back towards our hotel - stopping in the main plaza for gelato (no comparison to the yummy gelato in Rome at Blue Ice). We also stopped and listened to a cellist play near the plaza (the Swan, unaccompanied Bach). Late night but definitely worth it!