We're
in Florence! We arrived fairly early in the afternoon to our new
campsite where things were a little different to say the least... I
think this place was a little more like a Nazi run camping ground as
the rules that followed were incredible, for example – The camp
ground had a pool however there was a catch... You had to wear a
swimming cap before you were allowed to enter the pool!!! Yes you
heard me correctly, we had to purchase a very attractive swimming cap
to get into this crappy pool... But as it was about 36 degrees no
matter how dorky we looked we were in... There was a pool guard at
the entrance who yelled at you even before you stepped into the pool
area.... We were forced to leave all shoes at the entrance and shower
in the coldest water possible before you could even get a toe wet! We
brought the football down however had it confiscated as apparently
fun was also forbidden in this pool – no diving or running and you
could only enter and exit the pool from the steps,,, it was
ridiculous! No photos though i'm sorry to say :)
It
was one of our tour members birthdays today so after dinner everyone
was dropped off into the beautiful Florentine city to head to a local
pub... I was not in the mood for drinking with the young contikis so
a couple of the other girls and I went into the main piazza –
Piazza Della Signoria to see what Florence had to offer... We were
amazed at the beauty of the city and also had our first glimpse of
the famous David!
This was only surpassed by the tiramisu ice cream
we treated ourselves to while we sat and listened to an Italian
street performer who sang the most beautiful Italian opera songs.. It
was a great girls night out really! We got back to the club to find
everyone a little more happy than we left (including my amazing man)
and called it a night!
Today
we started off with a Florentine leather making demonstration where
an Italian woman tried to sell us numerous types of leather goods –
We were not willing to part with hundreds of Euros so once the demo
was over Dan and I left the shop quicker than you could image. We
spent the day walking through the city, enjoyed a guided tour of the
history and art in Florence with the most uninspiring mono-toned tour
leader in existence ( And I thought Italians were supposed to be
passionate!) Just trying to listen or even breathe was difficult... I
withered in and out of attention just enough to truly understand why
Michaelangelo's David was just so famous as well as see the beautiful
Duomo – or Basilica Di Santa Maria Del Fiore.
In the evening we
were treated to a traditional Tuscan dinner of bruschetta, pastas,
pizza, wine, lemonchello and tiramisu... So much eating!!! We then
followed the group to a local night club to do as the romans do and
go out in style to a place called space disco tech! This place was
packed with so many Italians, not many older than probably 16...
When
I danced with the girls there seemed to be more than 10 circling the
group at any one time just waiting for someone to stray to allow them
a chance! It was definitely an experience! I also learned about how
destructive the Italian free pour can be... It was going to be a
difficult morning tomorrow however we only have a short 5 hour
journey to Rome!
