Florence and Venice

I didnt write much about Florence so...Went on a really good free tour that included all kinds of random places I would probably never have gone to -like a church that used to be a granary so you can still see the grain chute in the middle, because of which the church had to be placed off to one side. A church where Michaelangelo lived and the monks let him examine the bodies before they were buried (and buried vertically in the walls no less) hence his amazing knowledge of anatomy that was only too apparent when I went to see David yesterday. Let me just say that despite the huge numbers of tourists joshing you it would be worth going to Florence just for that. All the veins in his hands and each curl each muscle perfectly defined. I really cant say how wonderful it was. Lots more stuff besides but I only have 1/4 of an hour so... Now in Venice. Really surreal having water buses everywhere but Ive got so used to the floating bus stations that I actually am swaying a little in my seat here. Havent got my land legs back yet lol! Venice is really exactly like I thought it would be yet so much better. My guidebook informs me its best not to bother with maps -just to set off in a general direction. So I decided to give that a go this morning. Well...I had a lovely morning wandering around completely lost -knowing where the grand canal is but when theres water in your way that doesnt help too much you know! - and managed to find several churches and ancient schools etc that I wasnt looking for but were well worth a visit but few enough of the places I was actually looking for. Oh well -nice to have a break from museums and I had more luck this afternoon anyway. Oh here's a tidbit of the day. Now everyone has stereotypes of Venice but did you also know that its the origin of the word ghetto? Apparantly It comes from their word for foundry -where a Jewish ghetto was formed in 1516. Didnt you always want to know that? Oh and I bought a new top. Its a sad day when a 4.99 top excites you but believe me it did. Thats like a 3rd outfit... On to France tomorrow...