Firenze

[day 11 in Italy]

My siblings (Michele, Jerry, Melanie and Erin) ended their trip in Florence where they were flying out from. So we decided to go with them and spend the day before we parted ways. We felt a little intimidated attacking Florence by ourselves with the kids (because I really wanted to go to the Uffizi Art Gallery) so I was grateful that we had some backup to help out. We were able to find free parking by their hotel and took the bus to the city center.

View from Palazzo Michelangelo

Jerry and Melanie

Dave...still haven't seen the real thing in person yet, but I love the fake...

On the bus, Andrew met the nicest Italian who liked us because his son had curly hair like our boys. He showed us pictures of his boy and then offered to take us to the Uffizi since it was on his way. So we followed him around after we got off the bus. These are the times when I wish I spoke Italian! It is fun to see Andrew be able to talk to people and make instant friends but I'm always just waiting to hear a few words I can understand so I can follow along.

We had to stand in line at the Uffizi for a while but it wasn't too bad. I think about 45 minutes. I have heard of people waiting for 4 hours so this seemed like a breeze. Andrew was nice enough to take the boys for a few hours and I took Esme with me. She was squirmy and babbling a ton but everyone was so nice and just adored her. She didn't lack for attention.

This is where the boys played while I was in the Uffizi. They really like those pigeons.

As soon as we got in the Uffizi I felt a little overwhelmed. I was unprepared. I took Art History years ago in college just so I would know more about the art in Europe but I have forgotten so much of it. Michele bought an audioguide so we were able to hear commentaries about some of the major pieces. But there was so much to see! And I knew with Andrew watching the boys outside and Esme squirming in my arms that I didn't have tons of time. But I was able to pace myself a bit and saw everything I was looking forward to seeing. It was very cool. I especially liked the Caravaggios and Rembrandts. The sculpture room was also amazing.

On Ponte Vecchio

Afterward we saw the bridge, Ponte Vecchio. Earlier, before we went to the Uffizi, there was this man who was kind of staring at my kids and he came up to us and offered to take a picture. I don't know why I'm sometimes suspicious of nice people but I said no. Then, hours later, at Ponte Vecchio, we were trying to get a shot with the bridge in the background and the same guy was there (making out with his girlfriend)! He again offered to take a picture and this time we accepted. Then he said that he thought we had the most beautiful kids he had ever seen. He was really just genuinely nice. I felt kind of bad for thinking he was a weirdo before. By the way, Italians are always making out. Everywhere. Always.

Thank you nice stranger for this picture.

After that, we all went out for dinner. The kids were getting pretty tired and unruly at this point. But they held it together long enough for us to eat. Then we went to one of our favorite piazzas, Palazzo Vecchio. We were there at night the last time we were in Florence and even though I haven't spent much time in Florence, it is one of my favorite things to do. Street performers are playing romantic music in the background. There are enormous replicas of famous statues, including the David. I love Florence at night.

We got hot chocolate that is basically a melted chocolate bar and took in the ambiance. About 10 North Africans came by trying to sell us the same cheap child's toy. Then we walked to the Duomo. Something about that dome is ...I don't know what it is. It is imposing and beautiful and the way it stands out against a dark sky makes it seem unreal. I love it. Firenze might be my favorite place in Italy.

Just writing this post makes me want to go back to Florence. I can never get enough.