History of Florence 101

Hello Faithful Friends. Apologies for the lengthy delay since my last post, however I've been busy! Since last weekend, Emma and I have spent the week exploring some of Florence's landmarks. We went to the Palazzo Vecchio (The Old Palace) which is a museum that dates back several hundred years. You may have heard of the Medici Family, who lived in it at one stage. Now it's the seat of the city's municipal government and contains lots of old artifacts and remnants from centuries ago. Wandering the halls of this palace is amazing. There are rooms with ceilings that are covered in gold leaf, kilos of the stuff!! The main hall in particular has a ceiling covered in giant paintings that are absoloutely HUGE!

A garden outside Palazza Vecchio

We also paid a visit to the Basilica of Santa Croce. It's one of the oldest churches in Florence and was built by St Frances of Assisi! Not only that.. it's said that a piece of Christ's cross is kept there, (although we weren't able to see it). The church is huge and stately and several famous people are buried there including Michelangelo, Machiavelli and there's also a memorium for Dante (who wrote the Divine Comedy). I also had a photo with a piece of St. Francis of Assisi's robe that is framed behind a glass case in the church! Next on our list this week is Il Duomo - the most famous church in Florence.

Me with St. Francis' robe & Looking pensive beside Michelangelo's tomb.

On Thursday it was the night before Emma's Birthday and Emma, Claas (a German student we met) Margerita (an American student) as well as a Brazilian student and I went out for drinks. We ended up at a little known place called La Luna Rosso (The Red Moon) where we had cocktails. Emma and I even had a shot each! As it was a school night and I was already quite tipsy (3 x Sex on the Beach will do that to you - the drink people, the drink!!!) we headed home at about 1.30am. The next night we went out again. (I know!) Dinner was at a little place called La Casalinga - Lara and Vince, ring any bells??? and then for a drink at Pop Cafè (a place our teacher Marco had recommended - think the Exeter in Adelaide). We ordered Negronis (not knowing what they were) and was shocked when the barwoman (with massive dreads mind you!) proceeded to pour our trendy plastic cups full of spirits. I was waiting for the mixer to go in until I realised the cup was full... there WAS no mixer!!!


Unfortunately, it was a little strong for my taste, however, Emma had no such issue and was able to drink the whole thing. (It did however take almost 2 hours! LOL!) After this we took a long walk back to our apartment and went to bed ready for Rome in the morning!