Monday, September 17, 2012

Italy - Part 1 of 2...Florence!

While Rome was a full fun city experience, Florence had a different feel to it. Its more like a nice romantic city and a little more homey to me.
J loved Rome and I fell in love with Florence the first time I went there. But then, after experiencing Rome & Florence with J, I cannot decide on which city I love more.

J & I spent 2-days in Florence. While we didn't get to see everything, we did get to see all the sites we set out to see and did A LOT of walking.

Here are pictures from our first day in Florence.

OK...you get into the Galleria dell'Accademia after waiting in line and paying 12 Euros per person and they tell you "no photo! no photo!" I mean, seriously? Do they think people paid to come look but not show evidence of the visit? Anyways, here is a picture of The Real David by Michelangelo.

Full frontal. Its quite spectacular!

And here's one of his back side :-).


This has something to do with Narcissus or a modern day version.



OK...This was just TOO FUNNY not to take a picture of. Right after you come of the gallery area where the real David is, you walk outside their store and this is what you see.
I thought it was very funny that he is pink AND has yellow hair. Ummm...I guess he's a true blonde!


And his backside. Thankfully, there was no blonde butt hair too. That would have been freaky!


 I was just amazed by the architectural work of these cathedrals. To think that most of them were built hundreds of years ago just makes me stare in awe and truly appreciate the talent.


I thought this was a pretty cool clock. Although, I don't know how to read it. Can you?


The Duomo!


Piazza della Signoria



Another fake David.

J & I noticed a lot of art depicting 2 males or 2 females. I guess the Romans were very comfortable with their sexuality way back when.

 Ponte Vecchio!

Not sure why I have that look on my face. I wasn't even upset. My handsome husband was clearly delighted and I guess I must have been tired after doing a lot of walking and I on the other hand could barely smile.



 We found someone to take a picture of us on Ponte Vecchio.





And our day's adventure would not be complete without a picture with Albie.


5 years ago when my sister and I visited Italy for the first time, we found this place. They had the best gelato! It was so nice to find it. I couldn't even believe we found it! I just happened to look back while we were walking and sure enough, there it was tucked in somewhere. Needless to say, we went back there again the day after :-).


I thought this was pretty funny. Looked like he was going up a hill.


That's it for now. Until next time...Arrivederci!

9 comments:

  1. Gorgeous pictures! I don't know HOW you did all that walking, just thinking about it makes my ankles swell. LOL!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you! The walking wasn't too bad because I typically walk on average 11k steps each day. I wear a pedometer to help me stay on track. So while it was more walking that my average daily walk, it wasn't too bad.
      Now, it was the sitting that made my feet swell! I had HUGE cankles which was a result of our flight back to the States. And they hurt!

      Delete
  2. Wow! 11k steps per day? You make me wonder how much I walk a day. Amazing!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I love my pedometer. I wear it everywhere all day long. When I first started wearing it, I was averaging 4 - 5k steps per day. It kinda encouraged me to keep trying to up it. Of course, the 11k also includes the steps I get from working out.
      The days I reach 14k, I typically get about 5,500 of them from taking step aerobics or kickboxing.

      Delete
  3. No wonder your feet got swollen, I am tired just thinking about all the walking that you did.

    Your pics look awesome, seems like you had an amazing time. I have never been to Florence but it definitely is on my list now.

    I love that Albie is everywhere with you guys :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you. We did have an awesome time.

      I think Albie had a good time too. J says he wants Albie to come with us for every trip now. I said that's fine as long as out little one is allowed to play with him. I am secretly hoping she drools all over it which will change him mind about taking Albie everywhere :-).

      Delete
  4. I love reading your account in the visit, beautiful place :), miss it so much!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Glad I could bring back some good memories of your hometown for you. I hope you are able to go back and visit again soon.

      Delete

Follow my blog here

AyoBE

Contact Me

Name

Email *

Message *