| Glenn's Florence Journals #4 4-15-02 to 4-16-02 It's Monday morning and the start of a new week. Wow!! What a beautiful day as we awake to the sun shining into our room. We don't have any specific plans, except to say goodbye to Shayne as she takes off to Siena, and to know that most of the better museums are closed on Monday's. We showered up and went off to breakfast where we would determine our plans for the day. Breakfast is still eggs, bacon, toast, orange juice, and hot chocolate. You are never sure what will be available for breakfast in the next stop so I will continue to enjoy the eggs and toast until we leave. We decided to check out some parks around the city and enjoy the sunshine today. Upon leaving the hostel we walked north towards the Fortezza da Basso. The Fortezza was designed during the 16th century and has now become an exhibition and conference center. It was not open to the public so we walked around the outside and enjoyed the beautiful park on the east side. From here we walked to the Parco delle Cascine. This was a huge park which included a velodrome, tennis courts, ippodromo, and plenty of walking and bike paths. We strolled through the park, stopping as we wished, only to end up on the west end enjoying a fountain area that had ducks, geese, and turtles sunning themselves. There were a few parents watching their children enjoy chasing the pigeons around the park area, but otherwise enjoying the beautiful sunny day. After we left the park we stopped for ice cream bars, as it was a warm day, and we needed something to cool the pallete. By now we had walked across the bridge to the Santo Spirito side of Florence and were making our way to the Monte Uliveto area. This was another beautiful park that overlooked the countryside and provided some tranquility to a very busy city. Here is where I napped while Erin enjoyed reading her book. At this point we decided to head back home as we were going to an "original language film" tonight and the film started at 6:45 p.m.. We stopped off for a little dinner prior to returning to the hostel. It's 6:20 p.m. And we are off to the movies. We had seen many movie theaters advertising the "original language films" but did not fully realize that they played at only one theater. Upon finding that out after entering our first theater, we quickly headed off to the correct theater only to find quite a long line. No worries as there was plenty of room in the theater. The theater was an old playhouse with a downstairs and a terrace. We were one of the last in, so we managed seats in the terrace. This was not what we are used to as far as theaters go but this theater was built over 80 years ago. The "original language film" we saw was Gosford Park. A very good movie that keeps you both entertained and mentally aware of all that is going on. The movie even had an intermission. After the movie we headed home for the night adn ended up playing cards with some folks in the television room. A decent day all around!!! Tuesday is another beautiful day with the sun shining and the fountains flowing. The only difference with today is that there is a strike by the public workers for better wages. This will, in turn, shut down all of the buses, trains, stores, museums, etc. For most of the day or all day depending on the situation. This is a planned strike so their are planned demonstrations throughout the city with speakers and crowds of people parading through the street proclaiming their loyalty to the cause. It should be interesting and we will have to make plans around the strike. After breakfast we were ready to take another hike around the city to enjoy some different views. After breaking away from the crowds of people supporting the strike we made our way towards the Basilica of San Miniato al Monte. It was built between the 11th and 13th centuries and provides a beautiful veiw back at the city. We also walked down to the Piazzale Michelangelo which provides a close, but just as spectacular, view of the city. We spent a few hours enjoying each before returning home to relax and work on journals. |
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| A local family enjoys a fountain, home to pigeons, ducks, geese, and a multitude of turtles (see below, lined up on the side of the pond) |
| The Basilica San Miniato al Monte is at the top of a hill with great views of Florence an well-preserved art treasures inside |
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