Florence

Florence!
Another travel day, we were off to Florence with a pit stop at Pisa!
Ahh Italy!
We stopped at the Leaning Tower of Pisa, got some very comical shots!  Apparently there are engineers who are working bit by bit to "right" the tower, in hopes that it won't fall over.  We got of the bus and immediately were bombarded with people selling knockoffs.  Handbags, sunglasses, just about everything.  It felt like a very push New York.  The catch is that in Italy it is illegal to purchase fraudulent products, and comes with a hefty fine.  Why they aren't charging the people selling it, I'm not sure.

I've learned that the sellers don't listen to the women when we tell them no.  I have been down right rude, and they still try to sell it, but you get one of the guys to say it and they scamper off right away.
Some more driving brought us to Florence!  Which, all signs say Firenze, not Florence, so we were a bit confused when we stopped without seeing signs.  We took a group photo up on the hill at Piazzale Michaelangelo, and the view was freaking fantastic!  This could be my new facebook photo I love it so much, haha.

We had dinner at La Certosa, and I'm sorry Mammacita, but that was the second best lasagna I have ever had.  :)   The entire dinner was fantastic from start to finish.  Starters of meats, breads  and spreads (my favorite was the Olive tapanade, but really they were all good).  Then entree of lasagna and penne pasta followed by steak and potatoes.  Dessert was...  I can't remember, but it certainly wasn't cheesecake.  My favorite way to end an Italian meal, lol.

The night was far from over, after that we went out on the town to a place called Space Disco.  At first it seemed pretty low key, a free drink and some karaoke   Then they opened the upstairs.   Tons of people, lots of dancing, it was fantastic!
The downside.  The Italian men.  Oh boy... I should preface this by saying that I don't frequently have to fight people off with a stick, but tonight was an exception.  Of the three that came and were super forward, my most clingy suitor continued to come up and tell me I was beautiful, dance too close, try to kiss me, and when he missed and got my neck, he was not discouraged.  Thankfully I caught the eye of a friend, and she saved me... three times.  Boy did not get the message!  Haha.  Oh well, strength in numbers, and I found a great spot to dance uninterrupted.
Florence didn't end there though!
We had the next morning in Florence.  We started off at a leather shop called Leondardo's that smelled amazing.  Beautiful, supple leader, so soft.  It also came with a hefty price tag.  Florence is also known for their jewelry, and we were able to play with puzzle rings and such.  I picked myself up one as a souvenir.
 
When we started the day it was a light rain.  We had been warned that we should wear "Church dress" if we wanted to go into any churches - no shoulders or knees showing.  But it had been so nice the day before I dressed lightly.  Capris and flip flops and a nice top.  Well... it poured.  Like torrential downpour.  I teamed up with Matt and we bough cheapy umbrellas off a sales person for 2 Euros, he wanted 5 each, so we got a pretty good bargain. :D
After that we went on a walking tour, splashing through puddles, and ended up at Il Duomo, beautiful structure that I had just read about in a novel.  There was a smaller building I was trying to find, but was unable to locate sadly. :(

Ponte Vechio

 Il Duomo

Quick lunch and then back on the coach.  You like that word?  I've been saying bus all along, but it isn't catching on, so I'll give in to their word choice.  Seems much more appropriate for our traveling needs anyway.
Off to Rome!