Florence (part deux) only far more Italian sounding!!!

Second times a charm? Well for us it was. It was kind of nice returning to Florence, we had a good idea where to go as our two nights would be spent at the same hotel we used on our first botched adventure:) We called ahead and were told we could check in early; a very welcome surprise. After ditching our packs, (which seem to be getting heavier by the day) we really started to take in the sights. The most impressive moments came in some of the museums, as we got first had tours of the statue "David" by Michael Angelo. To my disappointment not a Ninja Turtle, and the birth of Venus by the hand of Bocelli. David was truly impressive! Leading up to his were some of Michael Angelo's incomplete works. They really looked like figures trying to escape the marble! A chest, arm, and face would be clearly visible, but the remainder of the figure was still encased, not yet created, lurking within the raw earthy marble stone. Kind of like Han solo in The Karbonite. Pretty cool huh? I never noticed a small tree stump behind David's right leg before, but we were told that the statue was far too heavy to bear it's own weight on David's legs alone, and this reinforcement was added by the artist to ensure it's stability as the marble was also flawed. Michael Angelo was not the original artist to select the marble, but chose to take on the project to prove he could make a masterpiece of anything. (according to our tour guide, I haven't googled that part yet.) Right now we are on a fancy speedy train, zipping first class across rivers, through, tunnels, and across green pastures with the mountains in view. Next stop, Rome! To "do as the Romans do!" Stay Tuned, Pat and Sarah