Florence & Pisa

Go figure, the leaning tower wasn’t built on a foundation. Rather, it was built on soft ground. Amazing it still stands today (and if you’re crazy enough, you can even climb to the top). Can you say, lawsuit? Husby tried to convince me to climb to the top while I pitched a royal fit about not willing to risk my son becoming an orphan. My feet & mind weren’t about to have a repeat of the 1,000+ flight of steps to the top (can you say repeat of Rome?) Oi.

Florence was a diamond in the rough and one of my favorite cities of the whole trip. The piazza’s (squares) were welcoming, shopping was fabulous, with an aura that whispered quaint & charming. Did you know that Florence is also the birthplace of the author of Pinocchio? Little wooden toy Pinocchio’s were everywhere (and begged to be bought Bub’s Christmas stocking).

Husby snagged silk ties to stuff his own Christmas stocking. 3 for 20 euro? Done deal.

One of the highlights was tasting the unique olive oils & balsamic vinegars. The stuff we buy in the states doesn’t hold a pinky toe’s chance compared this stuff. It ranked from 1 to 3 with 1 being the youngest and 3 the most aged. Surprisingly we chose a #1 oil (mild) and #2 vinegar (semi-sweet). Poor Husby lugged around two large clanking bottles all day! I hope to make it worth his little arm’s while with future good food in his tummy. A man that’s willing to carry baggage will carry you on a pedestal your whole life, my dears. Take notes.

There’s a ton of raw talent in Florence. So many talented musicians, artists, and gelato gurus. Dude, hands down THE BEST gelato in Italy is awarded to Grom’s. It’s a family owned business that only serves flavors that are in season (why? because they stinkin’ grow their own ingredients in the backyard). Lee-friggin’-git.

Michaelangelo’s David was more impressive than I imagined. His hands in particular really struck me. I can’t believe veins and muscles can be chiseled out of marble and still look realistic. David commanded reverence. Absolutely no one was talking in the museum where he stands. And to think at one point in time he was just sitting in a square outside a church. It’s where Leonardo DaVinci said the sculpture belonged… an amateur’s piece with imperfections didn’t belong inside a church. Imperfections? It was absolutely flawless. Did you happen to see the replica of David that replaced the real one?

Florence was the cherry on top of my Italian ice-cream sundae. I couldn’t have wished for a better city to leave Italy with…

Psst! One more day and our cruise will be complete…