Belinda, I know this is a lot to type but it really is a great report and I look forward to your next installment! Thank you for taking the time!

Belinda I just read your report and loved it. I also cannot wait until your next installment.

Belinda - Thanks so much for your trip report. I am looking for the next installment every break & during lunch while here at work. Your enthusiasm is wonderful and I am enjoying the little asides too - you obviously have a quick wit.

Thanks for the encouragement. I've run out of lunch hour so I'll post tonight. Next installment - "What's a 'lesser Michelangelo'?" and "I'm sorry, but 200 steps is my limit for today!"

<BR>Belinda, I'm going next year but wish I'd been with you on your trip. You're lots of fun, keep it coming girlfriend.

Dear Belinda.. yes ! More! More! Though I have been many times to some of the places you describe.. your wonderful, honest and detailed report is allowing me to see it all new again...keep up the good work!

We were up very early on Monday morning and walked down to Cafe Mingo for breakfast. This was during the World Cup and while we were in the cafe the couple who runs the place received a package from a customer. The customer was attending the World Cup in Japan and had mailed the owners of the cafe a Japan soccer jersey. Isn't that sweet? The lady cried as she held the jersey up for all see.<BR><BR>Then across the street we went to the Bargello (we had 8:30 reservations) and we waltzed on in with a half dozen other folks. The Bargello primarily houses statues including some by Donatello and Michelangelo. I read in a guide book that the Bargello had "lesser Michelangelos." Yeah, whatever. [I know what they meant, but it's still sounds funny.] The Bargello also had an interesting collection of antique arms (as in weapons) and some nice views of the rooftops of Florence.<BR><BR>After the Bargello we went to the bell tower (Campanile) of the Duomo. C and I went up the first 200 steps and enjoyed the view from there (and took a bunch of photographs) while R and D went up the next 200 steps. I had had enough steps by that point. I was pooped. Everywhere we went was steps and more steps and I was feeling a little rebellious. I got better after that. But let me point out that D, who smokes and is 74 years old went up the steps without hesitation. She was determined not to miss a thing. And she didn't.<BR><BR>We then visited the Duomo (Santa Maria del Fiore) and the Baptistry. We had to wait in line to get in the Duomo, but it moved quickly. I don't have much to say about the Duomo and the Baptistry - they were very pretty, the exterior is incredible and that's about all I can say. Except there was a small gift shop at the base of the Baptistry where we picked up some nice souvenirs.<BR><BR>Then we went across to the Duomo Museum (Museo Opera S. Maria del Fiore) which is very much worth a visit. Most noteworthy is the Pieta by Michelangelo (not the same as the one in St Peter's). This Pieta is one that Michelangelo started but did not finish. His student finished it. But one of the figures is Michelangelo as an old man and he is gazing down on Christ. It's really quite stunning. Apparently Michelangelo became frustrated with the poor quality of the stone and abandoned the sculpture, leaving it to a friend.

Oh, yeah, while we were in the Duomo Museum admiring the Pieta, there was a group of art students sitting on the steps in front of the sculpture sketching it. Just kind of cool.<BR><BR>By then we were hungry so we went in search of lunch. We stopped at a little cafe in a small piazza. We sat outside (as we did most of our lunches) and ordered lunch from a very happy waiter. As I mentioned, this was during the World Cup and on this particular day, Italy was playing Ecuador. Seems our restaurant had a TV inside so everytime something exciting happened in the game, people cam running from all around the piazza to crowd around the TV and shout and stuff. Even a cop who was hanging around just outside the door of the restaurant. It was really fun.<BR><BR>Something I found strange was that when we sat down the waiter put pie shaped hunks of bologna on our table. Anybody know what that's about? We just eyed them suspiciously. I nibbled on one, but put it down.<BR><BR>After lunch we went to the Science Museum (mostly to see Galileo's index finger under glass). There was a lot of interesting stuff (instruments and telescopes, etc.), but it was really hot and stiffling in the building so we didn't dawdle.<BR><BR>We felt the need to spend some money so we went shopping, after all we were in Florence. (I forgot, the first day we were in Florence we saw a Hari Krishna parade.) We did not do any shopping at the sidewalk stands or from the street vendors. Instead we chose to go into shops looking for shoes and jewelry mostly. I bought myself some beautiful amber earrings and necklace, C a silver necklace and a pair of garnet earrings and some other gifts. R was looking for shoes, but we had no luck. We didn't really spend much time shopping.<BR><BR>We decided to go in search of an internet cafe we had gone in the first night in Florence only this time I couldn't find the place. I walked us in circles and my heretofore patient companions threatened to throw me in the Arno. We tried asking directions to no avail. Only time the language barrier really got in the way.

Frustrated, we trudged back to the hotel. We stopped in the tiny bar and ordered some refreshments. While we were drowning our sorrows we met a really nice couple (male) who were from Manchester and were in Florence celebrating their 10th anniversary. We had a lovely conversation and discovered these fellows' luggage had been lost at the Paris airport so they were "forced" to shop for clothes. They didn't seem too upset about it. Well after the drinks and the lively conversation we all felt much better so we got gussied up for dinner.<BR><BR>We ate at Paoli's (a place recommended by the man at Cafe Mingo). C had a very nice flounder dish. D had an enormous tossed green salad. I had really good ravioli and really bad spinach. A real disappointment because I had discovered that spinaci was usually a good bet. Dessert made up for it though.<BR><BR>On our way back to the hotel we stopped off at the internet cafe, Webpuccino. The guy running the place was wearing a Krispy Kreme t-shirt and they were playing Queen's Bohemian Rhapsody on the stereo.<BR><BR>After dutifully sending our emails we returned to the hotel. We had to be up at the crack of dawn to make our train to Rome.<BR><BR>Oh, I forgot. While we were having lunch (during all the World Cup excitement) a group of three musicians came up. Two guitars and an accordian. I thought, how cool, we're going to get some Italian music while we eat here in this little Italian piazza with all these Italian people, etc. So these guys break out in a Mexican Mariachi song. No kidding.

Great Report, Belinda! I enjoyed living vicariously through it, and revisiting those places! <BR><BR>Thank you,<BR>Jean

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Great trip report!

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Belinda, if you haven't already you may want to read the Agony and the Ecstacy. It will really give you even more insight on Michelangelo and Davinici, Florence and Rome.<BR><BR>thanks again for sharing!

Belinda,<BR><BR>Thanks for the great report! I look forward to experiencing some of this next year! I will definately follow some of your tips for first timers.

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Belinda: We're still waiting for the Rome portion of your trip report. (Great report so far!!!)

It's true- can't wait to hear about Rome-- Pretty Please!

Please keep up the writing when you can Belnda. It is really enjoyable!<BR><BR>AR