Tuesday

Today started early! We had to catch a pretty early train out of Termini as we headed to Florence. Ride was long and uneventful. Played some cards, read, listened to music.

We got to Florence at about 11 am and dropped our bags off at the convent where we were staying. We couldn't check in yet so we headed into town. We went to the Duomo, grabbed some food (I got a salad with tuna, olives, capers, eggs, and anchovies), then met up and went to the Medici Palace then the Accademia. The Duomo was awesome. Largest brick dome in the world (I think) and it is truly incredible. Brunelleschi was a genius. The Medici Palace was really cool too. The accademia is where Michaelangelo's famous David resides. It really is an impressive work of art. I am definitely more of a fan of sculpture than painting. After the palace we walked around the market a little. The market is so cool! Tons of vendors pretty much selling the same thing. A lot of leather, souvenirs, and other random stuff. I got a shotglass and some other things.

We went back to the convent, I did a quick workout, and then we went next door where I had the best meal of my life. Dr. Mann was very kind a had everyone pay a "cover charge" and then he took care of the rest. We got LOADS of appetizers and every one of them was incredible. The complimentary bread was insanely good, then came soup, then bruschetta (one had mushroom, one had tomatoes), cold cut plate with sundried tomatoes, omelet, other fried bread with mushrooms, then my favorite: bruschettas and three bowls, one containing mozzarella, one some sort of lasagna, one with liver pate. I could have eaten the pate with a spoon it was so good. For dinner I got grilled veal with roasted potatoes and vegetables. The potatoes were amazing and so was the veal. To finish off I had panna cotta and a cappucino. Florence is awesome.

Slept well tonight!