We're in Florence! I'm sitting in the hostel workers bedroom right now at a computer that is playing the same techno song over and over again, it is so loud that i can barely concentrate enough to write this. We left Rome yesterday around 11am after a small breakfast at the hostel. We made it to Florence around 2.30 and as we carried our oversized packs we began to look for our hostel without a map. We ended up finding it within 30 minutes of walking...pretty good considering the amount of times we've gotten lost on this trip! On the train approaching Florence, we realized that our hostel would be expecting us to pay 60 extra euro for linens, breakfast and internet, and so we approached the guy at the desk pretty nervously. When he asked for the extra fee, I simply said ''we're on a budget so we don't need linens, breakfast, or internet.'' Suprisingly that worked!...and as you can see, they're pretty lenient about the internet. haha. Last night, we decided to take the advice of our travel book, and checked out this local and completely un-touristy little Italian restaurant. Located right outside the old medieval gate to Florence, the little place was arranged like a small mess hall (we shared a table with a lady who ate legumes) and was full of people that looked like they were straight out of the godfather..I'm talking suspenders, stained v-neck tshirts, mustaches, big hair, the whole bit...it was awesome. Molly and I strolled in with our travel books in hand (we are such tourists) and ended up getting two plates of pasta for 6euro...what a deal! We were able to snap a few pictures before we strolled out to finish the night sitting by the river Arno. This morning, we were rudely awakened by the newest members of ben and molly's annoying roommates club. Three people left our room at 6 am, banging and clanking some kind of junk together as they went...oh sorry they started banging and clanking at 6 and didn't actually leave until 8. We were so mad. I can only assume that the fat guy laying in one of the beds (in his underwear), right now, is one of them, but my eyes were so crusted over with sleep deprivation that I only saw his backwards hat this morning. Anyway, by the time the disturbers were gone this morning and we were able to crawl out of bed, it was about 11 oclock and we helped ourselves to some eggs that we hope were theirs. After breakfast, we went and saw michealangelo's David. I can honestly say it was worth the money, and the lecture I got for sneaking a few pictures (NO PHOTO! ERASE THAT PICTURE!). From David, we headed across the river to find this fort that our friend from work recommended (thanks michelle) but unfortunately it was closed because someone named Veronica got murdered there...they're investigating it don't worry. We were disappointed to miss the view that the fort apparently provides, but we were able to see the beautiful neighborhood where it sits. From there, we snagged some gelato according to michelle's recommendation, walked around for a while, took some modely pictures of each other on the beautiful medieval bridge that leads to the other side of the river, and then ate some pizza to finish up the day. Now we are here, looking over our shoulder constantly because we shouldn't be on the computer. Love you guys...gotta run.
Ben&Molly
Quote for the day
The Creator made Italy from designs by Michaelangelo. --Mark Twain
