We spent the Labor Day weekend in Firenze (aka Florence) and I now have a new favorite place. Even the kids were impressed with the sights (and the gelato-go to Corona's Cafe for that) and didn't complain too much through the Uffuzi.
Having seen "A Room With A View", Emily proclaimed upon our arrival (to our room) that we decidedly had no view even though she had specifically requested a view. All this was done in her best Maggie Smith voice, and while we all agreed that there was no view, it didn't really matter because we were in a beautiful city and not back home unpacking more boxes! We then ventured out for the evening as the street vedors were closing up their carts and things were winding down. The good thing about being on an American eating schedule is the ability to get a good seat at the local restaurants recommended by the guide books as needing reservations for the normal 7:30-8:00 crowd. San Carlo's is delicious and we had the specialty that is known throughout-steak. I don't know if it is because our diet over here has been limited to the food court (before we moved) and "instant" things or easily done things (remember, we just got a refrigerator and oven recently) or if it was just because it was really, really good. Absolutely melted in our mouths. Grandma Pattee would have tried to get the recipe from the chef I think! Some gelato afterwards while walking around the various piazzas and watching the street performers. I think we returned to our hotel about 10:00 that night and slept well.
Sunday was buon fortunata. Since we had reservations for a guided tour of the Uffizi gallery at 9:30, we were up early and out the door by 7:45. This gave us plenty of time to see the Duomo (outside at least) with no else on the piazza at all! We felt like we had the city to ourselves and enjoyed all of it on the way to the gallery. And oh! the gallery. To see these art works from inches away instead of printed in books! I don't think I will ever forget that. Even the kids walked out with a couple of favorite pieces. Michael really liked "Medusa" and Emily was all for Botticelli's "Primavera". They were both glad to hit the gift shop and find pens with their favorites on them. We then proceeded to San Lorenzo's chapel and a little shopping.
Monday we were off to Pisa with a light lunch in the shadow of the Baptistry. While most people go to see the Leaning Tower, the Duomo and Baptistry are stunning. We even went to the cemetary where Michael found it wasn't too scary after all-with the exception of the fresco of Hell. That, he decided, was scary!
The kids started school this week and we couldn't be happier with the choice to put them in the Montessori school. Emily is the only American in her class, and therefore answers many questions from her classmates about the States. Michael just loves his teacher and talks about his day and his friends, etc. They have both found their niche!
I started Italian classes this week, and as a result, I can be polite in complete sentences and adjectives are starting to join my nouns. I was even able to have a (somewhat disjointed) conversation with my landlord yesterday. Now if I had only been able to do that in high school French!
Enjoy the pictures!
Having seen "A Room With A View", Emily proclaimed upon our arrival (to our room) that we decidedly had no view even though she had specifically requested a view. All this was done in her best Maggie Smith voice, and while we all agreed that there was no view, it didn't really matter because we were in a beautiful city and not back home unpacking more boxes! We then ventured out for the evening as the street vedors were closing up their carts and things were winding down. The good thing about being on an American eating schedule is the ability to get a good seat at the local restaurants recommended by the guide books as needing reservations for the normal 7:30-8:00 crowd. San Carlo's is delicious and we had the specialty that is known throughout-steak. I don't know if it is because our diet over here has been limited to the food court (before we moved) and "instant" things or easily done things (remember, we just got a refrigerator and oven recently) or if it was just because it was really, really good. Absolutely melted in our mouths. Grandma Pattee would have tried to get the recipe from the chef I think! Some gelato afterwards while walking around the various piazzas and watching the street performers. I think we returned to our hotel about 10:00 that night and slept well.
Sunday was buon fortunata. Since we had reservations for a guided tour of the Uffizi gallery at 9:30, we were up early and out the door by 7:45. This gave us plenty of time to see the Duomo (outside at least) with no else on the piazza at all! We felt like we had the city to ourselves and enjoyed all of it on the way to the gallery. And oh! the gallery. To see these art works from inches away instead of printed in books! I don't think I will ever forget that. Even the kids walked out with a couple of favorite pieces. Michael really liked "Medusa" and Emily was all for Botticelli's "Primavera". They were both glad to hit the gift shop and find pens with their favorites on them. We then proceeded to San Lorenzo's chapel and a little shopping.
Monday we were off to Pisa with a light lunch in the shadow of the Baptistry. While most people go to see the Leaning Tower, the Duomo and Baptistry are stunning. We even went to the cemetary where Michael found it wasn't too scary after all-with the exception of the fresco of Hell. That, he decided, was scary!
The kids started school this week and we couldn't be happier with the choice to put them in the Montessori school. Emily is the only American in her class, and therefore answers many questions from her classmates about the States. Michael just loves his teacher and talks about his day and his friends, etc. They have both found their niche!
I started Italian classes this week, and as a result, I can be polite in complete sentences and adjectives are starting to join my nouns. I was even able to have a (somewhat disjointed) conversation with my landlord yesterday. Now if I had only been able to do that in high school French!
Enjoy the pictures!
