Livorno & Florence (Fiorenze), Italy

Rocky seas again! I really really really do not do well with stormy seas :( That being said - it was nice to get to land....and Italy! my first day in Livorno I was on IPM and had to stay on the ship all day. Paul, Mario (pianist), and I planned to go to Florence the next day. While doing my duties on the ship, shore excursion asked me if I would escort a tour to Florence the next day - of course!! I knew Mario & Paul wouldn't mind. So I got a free trip to Florence and a guarantee that I would make it back to the ship on time (it's about an hour and a half train ride + bus + walking). Florence was amazing!!! The weather was a bit overcast, but the sun was out (it's chilly here too), so I left my umbrella on the bus. Big mistake. Shortly after we walked from our bus to the Duomo (huge main cathedral), it started to rain :( And it rained on and off all day long. Just a reminder - I did not pack for cold or wet weather. Just layers. Once we got inside the cathedral, I forgot about the rain. It was huge and beautiful and the artwork on the ceiling was so detailed and just beautiful. I didn't have a chance to climb to the top of the dome, but my fellow castmates said it was great (and a lot of steps). We walked from the cathedral through town to the Ponte Vecchio bridge - the only bridge not destroyed in WWI because Hitler supposedly liked it and Florence. Hmmmm. On the way there we passed an H&M. a Zara, and several other clothing shops. Good thing I was with the tour and couldn't stop or I could have done some damage (and then had trouble packing!). We did stop and rub the snout of a bronze wild boar statue that you rub if you want to come back to Florence. Yes, I rubbed it ;) The boars nose was a nice shiny gold, from all the rubbing, and the rest of him was all patina-ed. The bridge was nice (lots of gold & jewelery shops on it), and the views were very pretty, but it doesn't compare to the Rialto Bridge in Venice. Our tour guide told us to keep an eye out for padlocks locked around the bridge. It seems that you pledge your love to another, write your names on the lock, lock it to the bridge, and then throw the key in the river. Aw. I did see a big cluster of locks on our walk. We passed several famous museums, and walked all through Florence and it's cobblestone roads (and that, believe it or not, you will feel the next day), saw many many famous statues. We had a few hours free time to explore, and I did just that after having a very nice lunch (that the tour guide was kind enough to buy for me). I made my way through the wet rainy streets to go wait in line at the Academie Museum, which houses the original statue of David (because I heard viewing the original was a must see). The tickets are free this week, and most of the school crowds had gone, so I only had to wait no more than 15 minutes - and thank goodness it didn't rain! Inside is a huge collection of art (a lot of Christian and hell & damnation) and antique instruments (that I didn't take the time to see), and statues and busts. The statues were incredible! It's amazing to be looking at something so old that someone carved out of stone. But the statue of David - just incredible! First off - it's HUGE. And the details are incredible. It was truly beautiful and I am glad I took the time to make my way back to the museum. On my way to and from the Academie Museum, I treated myself to some yummy sorbet (dairy free!). When I came out of the museum, it was pouring rain, so I hung out in a coupe shops until it stopped. I met up with my tour group and we all made our way back to the bus and back to the ship. The ride home was just lovely (I did snooze a bit). I do love Italy. I will definitely be back - I did, after all, rub the boar's nose :) BTW - My contract ends a month from today!!