Torno a Firenze

Andrea and I both woke up around the same time and had breakfast together in her room; juice, yogurt, cookies, etc.  We just took our time talking and catching up some more before we had to go to the train station.  We eventually got dressed and walked to Termini in a bit of rain, which was a bummer.  Her train was 10 minutes before mine, so I walked her to her platform, hugged her, and then went to my own platform!  My train was already there, so I boarded and had a great ride to Florence on one of the nicer trains in Italy; plus, nobody sat in my group of 4 seats!  The sun was shining as we neared Florence, which made me REALLY happy! I was also reminded of how nice traveling in northern Italy can be; the scenery is beautiful and the trains are nicer!

When my train arrived, Nick's had just arrived as well.  I had to call him in order to find him, but when we did I ran and hugged him.  I would not let him pick me up this time though because I had my backpack on, which had my computer in it, and it was really heavy! I was so incredibly excited to see him though! 

Then we left the station to go find our hotel.  It was not too far from the station, but not too far from the center of Florence either; it was the perfect location!  It was a nice hotel, and our room was near the desk, so we did not have to worry about stairs or elevators!  The first thing we did was try the pastiera napoletana that Patrizia made for me, and it had now traveled from Cosenza, and the refrigerator in the room was too small for it!  It was DELICIOUS...hard to describe...sweet, but not too sweet...rich flavor, but not too rich! 

The forecast had been for 60-70% chance of rain, and the sun was out, so we had our snack and QUICKLY headed out to go see Florence.  I had forgotten how much I really did like Florence/love Florence.  We were staying almost in the heart of the leather market, so we glanced at it as we walked by and then went to the Duomo.  We were going to climb the cupola, but it was closed until Monday.  So, we decided just to go inside the Duomo.  Nick did his senior thesis on the Pazzi conspiracy, which primarily took place inside the Florence Duomo, so he was REALLY excited to tell me the story and show me where it all happened!  I have to say that it made the church that much more interesting to be with someone who knew more of the history, etc.  The Easter set up was pretty:

Next I took him to Piazza della Repubblica where my school was (is) located.  It was one of my favorite piazzas in Florence, and I just think it is so beautiful- the big arch, the buildings, the merry-go-round.

 

At this point, we were getting a little hungry, and so I was excited go to find the place I had a sandwich and wine for lunch...and cost like 2 euros...Due Fratellini.  I found it rather easily, and we decided to split a sandwich and each get a glass of wine!  I was excited to get the sandwich that had brasaola and rucola on it, and we asked them to add mozzarella.

The last time I ate here, I was "tailgating" 

2011

After we enjoyed our sandwich and wine, we headed to the Ponte Vecchio!  We took some pictures from one side, and I talked to my momma! 

Then we walked across the bridge and looked in the jewelry shops!  Once across the river we headed to the Palazzo di Pitti.  Nick wanted to see it, and I really wanted to take him to the gardens behind it, the Giardini Baboli.  Thanks to our museum passes, we got in for free.  We have been realizing what gold mines these are, but Florence really reiterated this for us!  So, we started the steep climb up the gardens and then went to look for my favorite place in the gardens, which is hidden and nobody seems to know about it!  It took us a few minutes, and we were first deterred by a sign, but then found it!  It has a BEAUTIFUL view of the city and is somewhat secluded.  We sat here and talked for about 30 minutes!  One of my favorite things about hanging out with Nick is that we can just sit and talk and enjoy each others' company...we are never at a loss for things to talk about and there is usually constant laughter, unless we are discussing something serious!  While we were here, in the hidden spot, we also took our April Fool's pictures!  We had a lot of fun claiming this spot as ours, and "shooing" people away, which really means that anytime someone seemed like they were coming, we would whisper, "la terrazza e' nostra"!!!  Some pics: 

We walked around the gardens some more and took pictures.  The views from the garden are wonderful, and the gardens themselves are beautiful, and definitely a workout. 

Saying "ciao wayne" to Nick's sister

When we left the gardens we headed to Piazzale Michelangelo.  We stopped for some fruit and a bathroom.  It was nice to have some cold fruit!  Then we started the climb to the Piazzale.  We stopped in the rose garden and then finished our climb.  I love this view of Florence, and it was definitely one of my favorite places last time I was in Florence.  We took a lot of pictures; some serious and some silly!  It was weird to go stand where I stood in 2011 and think about how much has changed since then!  It is insane to me that I LIVE in Italy, and I found my Marcello this time! 

Gorgeous boy!

Sweet man took our picture!

 

 

 

Where I took one of my favorite pictures from 2011

2011

Okay Nick...you're silly!

I was sad to see that the steps were closed, so there was not really anywhere to sit, so we headed up to the church.  We had done so much climbing at this point that we were beginning to burn off all of our lunch, but we still had things to see and do, and we were going to have dinner with Lindsay later.  The church is called Basilica San Miniato al Monte.  Signora Gabriella, the one that owns the language school, took me here when I was in Florence.  It is a beautiful church, and again, there is a wonderful view of Florence from this high up.  We went inside the church and explored and then sat outside for a bit taking in the view, talking, laughing, and having a wonderful time!

He is too tall for my camera phone!

 We also called Lindsay to see what she was up to, and agreed to meet her in about an hour or so!  When we left the church NIck was making age jokes and this guy saw us laughing and me pushing him away, but clearly the guy did not immediately see me laughing and he got this really concerned look on his face because I was pushing Nick away; I was impressed at the guy's willingness to make sure I was okay!  Go guy!  

By the time we got to Santa Croce they had closed to visitors; we missed it by like 10 minutes!  So, we called Lindsay to see if she was ready to meet us!  She lives really close to the church, and so she came and we sat on the steps of the church to talk and catch up!  We made reservations at a restaurant, and then went to her apartment to have a small snack (chips) and a bottle of really good wine!  We just sat around and talked until it was close to our reservation time! 

The place we ate had REALLY good food!  We had an appetizer of eggplant with sundried tomatoes and cheese (the latter two were wrapped in the grilled eggplant...AH-MAZING!).  I got the pasta that Lindsay suggested which was pasta that looked like little bags of gold (Lindsay's description, which turned out to be very accurate) with pear and cheese on the inside!  HOLY COW IT WAS AH-FREAKIN-MAZING!!!!!!  This is even more incredible because I do NOT eat pears or anything pear flavored really!  This pasta was just incredible!  We took our time eating and enjoying each others company! When dinner was over Lindsay took us to show us another sandwich place, which I had seen in 2011 but did not eat there!!  Then she showed us her favorite gelato place, and we promised to try both tomorrow!  Then we parted ways and she went home while we walked around for just a bit!  What is your life when on your way to go to sleep you walk past the Florence Duomo and have to stop in awe!?!?!? I love Florence!! 


I feel so blessed and fortunate to have this opportunity, and I remember that every day, but it is things like this that REALLY make it hit home!  So blessed, and so thankful to be sharing it with such wonderful friends, and of course with Nick! 

It was a busy, busy day, but amazing!  ROme this morning...Florence in the afternoon; I can handle these things!!!