It is Friday; we are arriving early. Marjorie, Pam, Beth, Mary, her husband Mark, and I flew from Atlanta, with a short layover in Amsterdam, and arrived in Florence this morning.
Without napping or even brushing our teeth, we spent the day roaming Florence, refreshing ourselves with gelato, braving the very crowded streets (it's high season here) in 85 degree weather. We stepped into leather shops, trying to help Beth decide which gorgeous buttery leather jacket she should purchase. She was smart, she tried on countless jackets, and did not give in to pressure from the equally gorgeous Italian salesmen or us. We'll return tomorrow for her to make a choice. We then did the obligatory walk over Ponte Vecchio. Ponte Vecchio means old bridge. It is a medieval stone bridge, which has stood since the mid 1300's, over the Arno River. The only bridge in Florence spared from destruction during World War II, it is noted for the glittering jewelry shops on both sides of its entire length. We wandered among artists's booths nearby, and some of us will be returning home with small packages. Not me (sorry, girls, trying to not spend money).
With about 3 hours to kill before dinner, we returned to our hotel rooms exhausted and napped. The Bernini Hotel, where a few of us are staying, was built in the 14th century! Then at 7:00, Karen, who arrived earlier today. joined us for dinner at a tiny trattoria around the corner from our hotel. We had freshly made pasta, of course, and a couple of bottles of wine.
Tomorrow some of us are going to the Ufizzi Museum, and some of us are working on other plans. We'll decide what to do at breakfast. Right now I'm going to sleep off that wine.
Here's Marjorie walking ahead of us in the dark street toward our hotel.
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