Up early today!  Well, at least I was up early, and actually swam laps in the pool!  We roused as a group and left about 10ish to head to Florence for the day.  Another beautiful one – bright and sunny.  We navigated successfully into the city and parked sheepishly in the Avis/Budget parking garage, where I had mangled a guardrail just days earlier.  The guardrail in question had been removed – no evidence!!!  We strolled through the Florence streets, making our way to the Cathedral.  But it was lunchtime, and we stopped at the “Yellow Bar” for lunch.  Delicious!  Best pizza I’ve ever had, and I’ve had a LOT of pizza.  Fun to just sit and have lunch and not be in a hurry; come to think of it,  you’d better NOT be in a hurry when having a meal in Italy.  We collectively gasped as we stepped out of a side street and into full view of the cathedral, with its impressive bell tower and duomo.  The outside is ornate and brightly colored.  I was placed to wait in line to get in the cathedral – in the sun – while LouAnn and the kids went shopping.  But surprise!  The line moved quickly, and, despite all my best whistling and texting, I ended up entering the cathedral alone.  The guards inside were stopping any women in short-shorts or tank tops – they had to be covered!  And LouAnn was wearing BOTH!  This was going to be fun.  I waited there, and finally they filed in.  Sure enough, she was stopped!  She had to pay 1.50 euro for a “modesty poncho”!

The inside of the cathedral is fairly plain, but for the paintings along the inside of the duomo.  We walked around inside while LouAnn figured out ways to possibly belt her disposable modesty poncho to make it look cuter.  To no avail.  (her commercial idea:  print thousands of disposable ponchos with “I came all the way to Florence, Italy to see the Duomo and all I got was this stupid poncho!” and sell them for 10 euros each.)  Next we went outside to get in line to climb to the top of the duomo.  We were nearly to the front of the line after waiting for 20 minutes when I realized we actually needed TICKETS, which, of course, you had to purchase somewhere else.  Naturally, I was chosen to RUN to the bell-tower ticket office to buy the tickets and get back before the family made it to the front of the line.  It is 463 steep, stone, claustrophobic steps to the top, but definitely worth the trip!  LouAnn and Georgia counted every step.  The view from the top cupola was WONDERFUL.  The climb back down was slow and a two-way street.  In some places the stairs were just as wide as your body, and you had to bend over to keep from hitting your head.

The peddlers in Florence – really every Italian city – are relentless.  The most common tactic we encountered again and again were men from Africa who would come up and talk with you.  Then, they would give you “gifts”, typically beaded bracelets they would slip on your wrist.  Then some other knick-knack would be pressed into your hand and you’d be asked for money.  SO tiring.  We ended up just being “rudely polite”.  The social graces we adhere to at home just don’t stop the flood here.

Afterwards, we walked south to the Arno River and Ponte Vecchio.  We crossed the river intending to see the Boboli gardens, but alas, they were closed (much to the exhausted kids’ delight…)  We stumbled back to the car and beat a path back to Fattoria Maioinchi.  The kids swam, and I made leftover surprise, Italian style!

Ah, the Yellow Bar……

Georgia eating her “hamburger” at the Yellow Bar.  She swears it was the best hamburger she’s ever had.

Me eating the pizza at the Yellow Bar.  I swear it was the best pizza I’ve ever had.

The impressive Cathedral in Florence.

Sweet modesty poncho, Loubie!

Inside the duomo.  Incredible perspective and detail.

Waiting in line to climb to the top of the duomo.

Me using the wait-time as a great educational moment.  The kids were thrilled.  GT’s probably watching a pigeon.

Climbing!

Claustrophobics need not apply.

And after 463 steep steps to the top, the view from the cupola!

Someone’s gone through Florence and overlaid fun stickers on all the “Wrong Way” signs…..

Another

“And those women were sobbin’, sobbin’, sobbin’….”  Who’s with me?

Dude painting Vermeer’s “Girl With a Pearl Earring” on the STREET.  He was amazing.  I have since become obsessed with this painting.

Post-swim dinner in the villa!  Too hot to wear clothes at dinner!  You should’ve seen ME!  We spared you that picture.

The hydrangeas from our garden.