We have made it to Florence........

I have to admit, we were both ready to leave Venice. Two and a half days really is enough there. It is absolutely beautiful, yes, but we were beginning to get tired of getting lost constantly. Lol. Sean knew his way around better then I did. If I lost him, I would have been screwed and just would have started asking any person around me "Dove Hotel Pantalon?" (Where is Hotel Pantalon?) We were ready for part three of our adventure...FLORENCE!

We got to the the train station super early and played cards over all of our luggage. War is the best time passing game ever! We took the 2 hour train to FLorence and enjoyed the sights of Italy's country side along the way. I love Italy so much. It has not been a dissapointment thus far. Sean continues to say how different this trip is in compasrison to the last two which makes me happy becasue then its like a new experience for both of us, rather then just me.

We got off the train in Florence and while a little turned around at first and having to ask someone ("Scusi, dove Via Nazionale?") we were headed in the right direction and didnt have to keep our heavy packs on us too long. Thank goodness too, because there each about 35 lbs, plus we each have our carry ons. Its a hassel, so I'm glad we didnt get lost.

When we found the hotel I was told that we were given a free upgrade (woohoo!) But only when I realized as we opened our door and window, what that upgrade meant. I was hoping this hotel would be the best out of the other hotels we were are are staying in because we are here the longest, and we were not dissappointed! Its the biggest room that we have had since AND we have our own private shower and toilet (which in Europe is a big deal), but when I opened our window and went our on our balcony (thank you upgrade!) that it really sunk in that we are really in Italy. The picture (although dark) is the view from our room. The fact that I could see Brunneschi's Dome from our room made me feel for the first time since our trip like, "Yes! I have made it here! I have made it to the one place that I have been studying for over 10 years!" With this realization, I was so oversome with joy that I cried. The best comparison of happiness i can give would be in comparison to the day Sean asked me to marry him. I really am here. I am really am here with my husband. I don't think, acutally I KNOW that I would not have made it here with out him. (He's taking a nap right now, so I can say all of this withoiut him stopping me, lol)

Florence is like downtown LA, but with more sparkle. The swap meets that we briefly walked through sold more leather (i think real leather from the feel of it) then I have ever seen at a swap meet. We ate some lunch at this random Panini Express place where we enjoyed a 1/2 liter of wine and each a pork sandwich all for about 24 euro. Without even us asking, our server offered to tak our picture, and I liked that he actually spoke Italian with us, rather then just switching to English. Afterall, I am trying to learn Italian and if I speak Italian and the Italian guy switchs to English because my Italian sucks (like what continued to happen in Venice) then I can't really learn can I? So I love that this guy did not switch to English and we were really communicating in Italian.. It. Was. Awesome.

So tomorrow we are off the the Uffizzi Gallery and to see where the rest of the day takes us. Oh, and I also forgot to add that while we were still in Venice we woke up super early in the moring to take pictures before the tourists and other people got out and it was this whole knew side of Vencie for us. It started raining last night so everything was wet and pictures turned out amazing. ANd to see San Marco's Square without anyone else in it such a cool sight to see.