6/8 - 6/14

Weekly update.
Monday – Thursday was a light week because prior to my Dublin trip, I had 2 exams and homework due (which I did well on). So every day after class I would explore Florence. Still can’t get over how amazing a city this is and I am still stunned every time I walk past the Duomo and the Ponte Vecchio. Jess is leaving June 17th so we did dinner two times this week knowing her last couple days would be hectic. The first dinner was a little Italian restaurant on a side street far from the tourist shops. They gave us their house wine, with fresh bread and their homemade olive oil with pepper and spices in it. We then ordered caprese which I devowered. Jess had been to this restaurant a few times so I had her pick out two meals and we would split them, what a good decision. I couldn’t tell you the names of the dishes we ordered but wow were they good. Best dinner I have had so far in Italy, hands down. The second night we went out, she took me to this little restaurant which seemed pretty upscale but they only sold three types of pizza. The pizza’s were 8 euro a piece and about 10-12 inch pies. I ordered a margarita pizza which was delicious, best pizza in Florence.. it was just so fresh. I’m sad that I hadn’t though earlier to ask Jess where the best places to eat in town were.
Friday was a light day as well, I woke up late and then just walked the town again with Jess and Ashley (Jess’s roommate). We climbed the Florence Bell Tower which is right next to the Duomo and about 2-4 stories shorter. It was 400+ steps but the view was definitely worth it. Words cannot describe how beautiful Florence is and nor can my pictures. You can’t comprehend what you are seeing because you are gazing on hundreds of years of history and architecture you have never seen. Truly breathe taking and an eye opener for me.
After a fun night out on the town I caught a train for Venice at 1030. I got into Venice around 2ish and couldn’t believe my eyes as I walked out of the train station. Movies, pictures, photos, nothing does Venice justice (I know I keep saying that but I am beginning to understand why people travel so much!). Walking through the city I just couldn’t believe I was there and how it was possible to build such a city. I will tell you that after walking 10 minutes I began to get annoyed at how narrow the streets were. I went with a friend so we headed directly toward San Marco square but stopped for lunch along the way. Marco square was really cool but I couldn’t believe the sight of the city along the coast. I feel like I just stopped and starred for twenty minutes before I was forced into a water taxi ride. The taxi ride was really cool because I just kept thinking that for locals it must be an everyday event.
Then we walked the city a little more until we checked into our hotel and got ready for dinner. We walked around in circles before finding the perfect restaurant right on the water. The view was fantastic and the food was even better. I ordered Sea Bass, which I did not know it would come out as the entire fish and not a fillet, but it was one of the best fish dish I have ever had. We had a couple of bottles of wine and neither one of us could believe the view and that we were in Venice so we sat there for three hours loving our lives.
Right after dinner I called and met up with Joe and other kids in our school who were there on a class trip. We all hung out and then ventured the streets of Venice at night. The streets at night are creepy and empty, very very strange. Some of the kids were highly intoxicated and attempted to “borrow” a gondola but were quickly informed that they would have no ore. The night was a success, no one got arrested.
Sunday morning I just wanted to roam the town and go into gift shops so it was a very relaxed morning into the afternoon before we headed home for Firenze. Amazing city and one I feel is very romantic. I plan on returning to Venice with my wife someday and that is why I did not go on a gondola… I wanted to wait for my wife.
Ciao!