Green-White-Red!

Happy 150 years of United Italy! Today was a national holiday in Italy. There were flags and window displays and people all dressed up in Green-White-and-Red. It was very festive! Started walking at 9 this morning and just got back to my hostel at 4:30 with no break! Whew! Went to Accadamia and found out about tickets for Saturday and then went to the Duomo that opened at 10a, so I passed the time by getting a chocolate bar from the Lindt store next door. Climbed the Duomo's 463 stairs and loved the views of Florence from the top. Went back down and hiked to the Uffizi museum so I'll know where it is for my tour of it on Saturday. Walked across the famous bridge Pointe Vecchio and oogled all the amazing jewelry. Walked to Santa Maria Novella, but realized you can't take pictures inside so I just shot some of the outside. Ran a load of laundry and hung it dry in true Italian Style. Well deserved pasta for dinner tonight, research into where to stay on Sunday night and off to bed! I'm meeting up with Honey Wilson from Willamette University tomorrow afternoon to go to the Piazzale Michelangiolo (Michaelangelo Piazza) where there are supposed to be great views of the city.

Lessons Learned:

1. Don't buy tickets online if you don't have a printer unless you like a hassle.

2. Don't buy tickets online if it's a national holiday and offices are closed.

Tomorrow Plans:

Friday-Visit the Museum of San Marco and see the early Renaissance paintings there. Lunch and meet Honey for Piazza Michelangelo and later Dinner.

Saturday 8:30 Accadamia (David), 1:30 Uffizi museum with Honey

Sunday- off to Siena? Volterra?