Italy

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...

Just to let you know...love Florence but not much time to blog and internet v. expensive in Venice so you may not hear from me for a few days or a week or so. Dont worry though. love Amelia

So...went around Florence this afternoon and was great. I think I forgot to mention earlier that I got to where my hostel should have been -number and everything- and there it was not. So asked around and this Italian guy was like oh you have the red number 94 you need the blue one. Yes thats right people apparantly the colour of the street sign matters! Oh well. I knew there was no chance of following the street signs right to the Duomo so just headed in vaguely the right direction and got to the end of this little cobblestone street and amazingly there it was! And believe me it was amazing! My guidebook says that it was comissioned in 1296 to be a cathedral that was so magnificent it would be impossible to surpass and you know from the outside certainly I think they may have achieved that. I cant even begin to describe it! Then after all that strenuous work, you know, twas time for a gelato so I found a place called Grom that my guidebook recommends and time for a piccolo cono coco -a small coconut cone but sounds so much more interesting in Italian doesnt it! Loads of yummy looking flavours and was really good. Then I wandered down to the Uffizi but had a last minute change of heart and decided to go to Palazzo Veccho instead. It had beautiful paintings all over the walls and ceilings and, interestingly a modern art display -collections of drawings paintings carvings newspaper cuttings etc by an artist called Georges Adeagbou scattered all around and some placed on these ancient carved thrones. It was really interesting with the modern stuff mixed in. Then wandered down to Ponte Vecchio -the oldest bridge in Venice. Really typically Italian. So...thus far am loving Florence. More than Rome actually.

So here comes the next thing. Got to Florence to hostel I booked a week or so ago. They tell me that because my bank denied payment they cancelled my reservation. Well. Great. Didnt even think about that. But fortunately they have a bed for tonight and will help me find somewhere for tomorrow. So now am frantically contacting the other places Ive booked re this card thing. Im seriously pissed off. But its not the hostels fault so its ok and im just going to chill and think everything else will be too. Im off to comfort eat some gelato and try and see about booking a couple museums! Then maybe some churches this afternoon or perhaps just a wander. Can you tell Im stressed much I cant even find the question mark button! Im going crazy! Chill. Chill.

What of Tuscany I saw from the train looks beautiful though and I forgot to mention that yesterday when I sat to have my lunch in Piazza del Popolo I ended up being surrounded by a dozen or so young Italian artists who were drawing and painting the square and each other -v. cool!

OK so its true that everything always does seem better in the morning and it really does. I know have places to stay in Lyon and Paris -in the Latin Quarter no less, arent I cool?- so now feeling a little more relaxed and quite happy. Now just keeping my fingers crossed, and all yours too please I can get in to see Michelangelos David tomorrow -seriously you have to make reservations for the museum! I mean really who thought of that? Anyways feeling happy now and off for my train to Firenze...or Florence to all you non Italian speakers lol because clearly I am such an expert!