We have mixed feelings about Italy after spending the day in Florence.
We did a wonderful walking tour around the town in which the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (Michaelangelo, Leonardo and Donatello) lived and worked. We learnt that their old Roman town was filled in and the new town was built over the top. We also learnt that all bridges were destroyed in World War 2 except one with fish markets on it because Hitler liked it. Today it is home to 48 gold jewellery stores. We also had some bellissimo pizza and pineapple gelato.
Their most amazing monument was the cathedral that took 200 years to build... so huge and so much detail. We climbed the 463 big steps to the top of Europe's first dome building to see a breathtaking view of Florence.
On the other hand, we found the city smelly and dirty. Your hand sanitiser certainly came in 'handy' here Kaylene! We also had our first encounter with the gypsies. Our guide told us that the country is full of people selling dodgy goods and not to buy anything with brand names from them as it is illegal for both the seller and the purchaser. We were buying a cute wooden train where the carriages were letters. I was spelling out the letters 'MRS ANDERSON' (how cute would that be on my desk?) when another man came over and whispered to the salesman, who picked up his mat and urgently ushered us towards an alleyway. I was still in a daze, confused about what was happening, when Scott turned and noticed the police coming our way. He told the salesman we didn't want them and we tried to walk away. The men continued to follow us for about 500 metres and refused to take no for an answer. We eventually lost them but are still confused about why they were hiding from the cops. Drugs? Stolen goods? Bad 'track' record? Either way, we didn't end up in gaol, which is great news!