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Other entries in Florence

Two weeks Later, Let's continue with Florence

I apologize to the many/few who I have shamed by not logging in for a long time, but I will hopefully rectify my disgrace by giving a synopsis, town by town, of my trail.  I hope to minimize my lenghtly absenses in the future.  I hope...

Florence, a city I would have skipped if so many had not mentioned the times had in yet another mezmorizing place in Italy.  Plenty of Sorbet and yes, the greatest discovery no to mankind for men such as me.  Chocolate Rice Cream.  I tell no lie, and my bank account can account for the several trips per day made to the single greatest place in Italy.  Move over David, Pompey, Colosseum..Rice Ice Cream stands alone at the top of the mountain for memories in my dreams.  I only wish that India could learn from the Italians.

Dante is present everywhere.  Yet, Ironically enough, his home was devoid of visitors, save me and two others.  I just think there are so many museums and sites in the town that this one only makes the list for a fourth or fifth day in Florence, and most people only stay three days.  It was really more of a period of Dante's life museum but very nice.  The truly sad part of this story is that no where in the city does any bookstore posses a copy of "The Comedy" (the original name) in its completed form.  In order to read the epic tale, one must buy three volumes separately at a hefty $20 a pop in paperback.  One for the bottom, middle and top.  I chose to only buy Hell.  I couldn't afford the other two.  I am very much hoping that I will never need to buy Heaven because I will actually esperience it.  Hell will likewise hopefully be just an interesting read about a place that is off limits.

David did not disappoint.  Very expensive, but worth every Euro.  The rest of the museum is ho-hum, but you could put a collection of used sponges in there and people would still pay just to see him.  I guess they need to put other art in there so he will not feel lonely, but I just sat down in a comfortable chair, after the guard stood up and admired.  It really is magnificient.  For this museum and the major museum (Yes, I forgot the name), there are two options. 

1.  Wait in line for 3 hours each or

2.  Call and reserve a place for an added 3 Euro for each museum.

I chose the latter and what a great move.  I just appeared at the appointed time and walked right in.  I did wave to all the little people waiting outside while us important people strolled in.  It is good to let them know that I know they exist.

I hoped to see and hear a classical musical concert but missed them all.  I actually made it on time to one of them, but it was sold out.  Obviously they didn't know who I was as the museums did.  I tried to tell the guards that I was a big shot who just waltzed into two museums, but he was having non of it.  I did notice he let a priest into the place.  I think the cathedral is prejudiced against American big shots.

Leaving Florence was very difficult.  I loved the city, the river, the churches, cathedrals, the synagogue I accidentally missed (I have seen every Jewish site in every previous city, come on, I only missed one, and it is not even on most of the tourist maps.  Stop making me feel so guilty.  It is not going to work.  Nope, I don't feel guilty.  No, no.  I am not listening...), the ice cream shop, the cobblestone streets, the statues of Dante, the people watching.  It was pretty crowded, but in most places, it was not that obvious.  I do think I am the first person to ever see every site on the tourist map in three days though.  Remember that the synagogue was not on the map I was looking at.  It is a small one I am fairly sure.  They were also probably closed for repairs or something.  I also probably needed to book my visit weeks in advance.

Now it came down to another choice.  Do I make the long trek to Pompey, and then come up to Rome or straight to Rome.  The answer....Pompey it is.  First stop, Naples.

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