Our visit to Florence began (after finding our way through the city) at a hostel. Staying at a hostel was an interesting experience, which Kevin and the kids will repeat in England, Belgium, and Germany as their trip progresses. This hostel had a fairly friendly staff, a terrible laundry, numerous Americans, many happy, drinking Germans, and it was overrun by French school kids on the second day that we were there. But, we had our own shower and toilet in a private room with four bunk beds, for about half the price of a hotel. Speaking of Americans, in the laundry Kevin struck up a conversation with a girl there who turned out to be the daughter of a colleague from Idaho State! Small world, huh?

Actually, we got to Florence mid afternoon and tried to get in a half day of sightseeing. Fortunately there are no pictures to show the ugly scene where Kevin lost his cool over the parking and the "which way do we go from here" discussions that typically ensue in these situations. Finally, though, we found our way to the main drag, where we saw statues and clock towers, and basilicas.

Of course, if there is a basilica then someone will charge you to climb up to the top. 467 steps worth. In the picture below members of the queue contemplate their fate while waiting their turn.

But, once on top, it was worth it!

Also in Florence is the famous set of bronze doors on the baptistery. Everyone in this picture is crowded around the fake ones actually mounted on the doors. The real ones are in a museum around the corner (where, as you would expect, there are no tourists whatsoever!). The artist actually won his fame doing the doors on the north side of the baptistery (he won a competition to get the job) but everyone like his work so much they commissioned him to do these, which are on the east side. He spent 26 years carving doors for this baptistery!

Florence, and all these Italian cities, are interesting because the intricate artwork and statues are everywhere, as part of your everyday life. Probably you come to take it for granted?

No trip to Florence is made without going to the famous bridge. Basically it is for shopping and always has been. In the second world war all the bridges in Florence were supposed to have been blown up, but the commander here was into culture and could not bear to destroy this one, so he blew up a building on each side, thereby blocking access without ruining a cultural icon.

Of course, some people might prefer to see the cultural icon and all the associated tourists disappear!

And, some tourist come to feel the same way. Don't know who these people are, but the feeling is clear!

But, some shoppers are happy campers!

One of the things Tammy liked in Italy were the flowers growing everywhere. For some reason she took this picture.

We also had these nice potted plants at the hostel.

But, Kevin was more impressed with the crazy drivers and their scooters.

Well, that's about all to say about Florence. Of course, besides these pictures we say lots of museums. After the basilica, the next morning we visited the Academia (sp?) where Michalangelo's (sp?) David is displayed. Kevin and Joshua also visited the Museum associated with the basilica and they went to the Uffizi, a famous Florence museum. So much art, so little time!