So Over It.

Ok, ok, ok - Florence is a nice enough town, but I am ready to hit the road. The architecture is beautiful, the sculptures are captivating, and the night life is hoppin', but, after yesterday's trip to the countryside, I remember why I have trouble in cities. I don't like having to be constantly aware of where the cars are, how fast they're going, or just when the exhaust from their tailpipes is going to approach my nostrils. I feel like I have to hold my breath.

I like breathing.

Last night, Christie, John and I sat out on the rooftop terrace of their hotel and drank two bottles of wine that we bought at the vineyard yesterday. I played some guitar and we talked about God and life and traveling and culture. It was quite refreshing to converse with folks that like to talk about their opinions. I suppose it helps that we hold generally similar views about the controversial stuff...like global warming. (I have spoken with a handful of students here who are still unsure about whether or not to believe in global warming. It is hard for me not to raise my voice when I have to argue the side of global climate change: especially after a glass or two of wine). The three of us giggled our way to dinner at about 20:30 with big, big appetites. We ate a place called Dante's that may or may not have been reccommended to us by a young woman from the bike tour who lives in Firenze. We are still unsure if this was the place she meant for us to go to. Either way, the food was good and we left stuffed. We bought another bottle of wine, had some bruschetta with beans, cheesy mushrooms, pizza, and a greek salad. Yum.

I slept at the hotel and three of us comfortably shared their huge bed. In the morning we gathered out things, they checked out, and we headed for the Duomo. While Booth and John were going into the Duomo, I found the cell phone store and bought a sim card. I'm connected!! This is pretty exciting, but I shudder to think of the .5 euro/minute it costs to dial the states. Luckily, it is absolutely free for anyone in the states to call my phone. If you'd like the number, I'd be happy to share it via email.

After the Duomo and cell phone successes, we headed to the academia to wait in line to see Michaelangelo's David. We waited in the hot sun for almost an hour to get in. Wow, it was worth it; looking at the David gave me butterflies in my stomach. I cannot believe that a man carved David out of a hunk of marble. It is so huge and anatomically accurate and inspiring and wonderful. I love the David. I could probably sit in the academia for an hour a day meditating on the David. Goodness gracious.

Christie and John have left and are on their way to Rome. I considered going along with them, but the first farm I'm going to is north of here. Going to Rome would be molto out of the way. I want to leave Firenze tomorrow and go to Venice or Cinqueterra or anywhere but here. I will have to see if my clothes have dried and if I can find lodging. Staying for free in Firenze is pretty enticing. Pretty enticing indeed. Molly leaves for Greece on Thursday, so I will need to find a place to stay then. I think I could squeeze one or two more nights out of this place. I might have to - and by 'have to', I mean 'decide to, willingly.'

Who knows, maybe the next time I write, I will be in some place new and exciting. I doubt it considerably, but it is definitely a possibility. That would be nice. I am so over Firenze.

Baci!