Firenze
After leaving Sorrento the bus hurtled us north. It seemed a short way into the trip we noticed some signs of urban area next to the highway. We asked what city it is. ROME? Already?! But we've only been driving like 2 hours?! Everyone tripped out quite considerably. We had a few hours to potter Siena, of which I really don't remember too much. This was made even more obvious to me when I visited recently, 6 years on, and everything had taken on a completely different light. All I remembered was the zebra-striped tower of the duomo, an extremely tiny truck, and an arty upside-down Christmas Tree. I purchased a festive flag which continues to adorn my bedroom. During our time in Florence we went around the Uffizi Gallery. I was quite underwhelmed by it all, not being much of an art conoisseur. I appreciated the famous works but other than that I was happy to skim over the miles of religious and/or naked artwork. My most treasured memory of the trip was a beautiful view of the river and Ponte Vecchio from the gallery windows. I seem to recall the largest, most expensive, and most fantastic icecream I had ever had up to that point from a Florentine gelateria. (This was only to be outdone by Gelateria Gianni in Bologna many years later). Indulging in our new freedom once more my friends and I went on various walks along the Arno, around the Ponte Vecchio, and found our way to Piazzale Michelangelo for the postcard views.
I think it may be pertinent to quote my initial raw first impressions of the trip out to Pisa:
I have to say my first impression was “How pathetic.” The lean in the tower wasn’t graceful or magnificent – it just looked like some idiot had seriously screwed up and that dodgy tower should have fallen centuries ago.
The pouring rain left us huddling under the (oh so shiny) souvenir stalls. We were overwhelmed with African guys trying to sell us umbrellas. Luke cracked and started hurling abuse at the city and all who dwell within it. It was a good day.
