Florence - Day 2

This post will start off okay and end epic. Well maybe not epic, but things took a turn for the best after 7pm. We started off on the early side to go to Galleria dell'acidemica to try to beat the line... Well even about an hour after it opened it took us two hours to get in. While we were standing in line we were wondering how the David became so famous compared to all the other beautiful statues we've seen in places like the Louvre (mind you I've seen the David before, but didn't have an answer). As soon as we turned the corner into the room, which housed the David, I remembered.... HE'S HUGE. But that's not the only reason. This is one of the few depictions of the David that eludes to the fact that all he used was a sling shot and his wit to defeat Goliath. It doesn't make him look puny or meek, just normal. We also enjoyed the exhibit that showed the hand written books that recorded things like who entered and exited the gates of Florence. Not only was the writing gorgeous and flawless but they would illustrate colorful drawings or first letters of the paragraph. There was even a book open to a page that recorded Dante arriving in Florence and the gate guard had drawn a picture of him next to his name. Between the time it took to wait in line and to walk around the gallery, our morning had disappeared and it was time for lunch. Upon a recommendation from our friend we went in search of the indoor food market in the Mercato Central. It had a great variety of dried fruit, fresh fruit and vegetables, oils, vinegars, wines, spices, cheeses and prepared foods.

We decided to get some of the famous pork sandwiches. We watched them slice the meat, dip the buns in a broth and give a generous dose of salt and pepper. 

It was melt in my mouth good! We accompanied it with a 1,90 euro bottle of wine. Were lucky the gallery didn't take much longer because the market closed at 2. We walked through an outdoor market to get to the San Lorenzo.

(It wasn't a long walk.)

We decided not to go in and instead to head over to the Santa Maria Novella.

The front area had grass sounded by gorgeous pink roses.

I bet they smelled divine, but they were a little too close to the ground to find out.

Is it bad that I automatically think something is more worth my money when I'm allowed to take pictures? I feel like it should probably be the other way around, but when I'm taking pictures I feel like I'm appreciating things more because I'm deciding what to take pictures of and and at what angles.

Over all the big church was simple with some extravagant nooks and rooms.

It was also the first time I saw a tomb on the wall and 3-D art.

The alter was stunning.

I have a ton more photos but the last one that I think is blog worthy is this one room.

Oh and a little courtyard.

We all had to refill water and post pictures to Facebook and Instagram to make other jealous (I actually haven't posted a single picture to Facebook since I've been here and I don't have an Instagram...), but we lost track of time and it was 5 before we knew it. We didn't think this was a problem since San Corce is about two blocks down and closes at 7... But we were wrong. The last entry was at 5 so we just took pictures from the outside.

And one of the guards let us about 5ft into the courtyard. 

We were all a little bummed we didn't get to see the tombs of Dante, Michelangelo, Maciavelli, and more but then a woman handed us a flier...

We were intrigued and took a seat in the big square of bleachers and were directly in front of the church. We were starting to lose our patiences because it was already 30+ minutes after they said they would start before try started another 20 minutes of ceremony stuff. It was all worth the wait!! This sport, which we have no idea what it is called, is a mix of wrestling and rugby. The ball can move forward an backwards and is thrown between players. When a player is tackled with the ball it changes possession. HOWERVER, a player does not need to be in contact with the ball in order to be tackled.

Sometimes it didn't even seem like the ball needed to be in play for the wrestling to begin.

I took video on my camera and will definitely be posting it to Facebook. That game would never get boring. Anyways we had to leave early to make our reservation at La Giostra (a restaurant recommended by 3 separate people). Right when we got there they gave us each a free glass of Prosecco. 

We realized the walls were covered with photos of famous people with their wait staff and owners. I mean if Barney (aka Neil Patrick Haris) eats here then I can't wait! 

When we sat down we realized it wasn't just the entry way, but the entire restaurant that was covered with photos of famous people! The inside was small and romantic.

Candle light and Christmas lights were the only form of lighting. They immediately filled up our glasses again with another round of Prosecco and kindly explained the menu, which was completely in Italian. After we placed our orders they brought us a (very large) tasting which had bruschetta, grilled vegatble salad, an unidentifiable salad (but very good), liver crostini, a type of meat and cheese fritter things. I enjoyed everything (maybe the liver a little less and the bruschetta a little more.

We asked how much another plate of bruschetta would be and our waiter responded by saying "You like the bruschetta? I bring you more!" And like magic we had more bruschetta and another glass of Prosecco! I was so excited when my Ravioli di Brie con Carciofini Morelli Scottati (aka raviloi stuffed with brie and a brown butter and artichoke sauce) arrived! 

I know it's not a great picture and it looks like a small portion but it was actually a lot and I never wanted it to end! Arin tired risotto for the first time and loved it. Paige got the same thing as me and Magdalena got a tomato and mozzarella pasta mix. We deicided to split dessert and tired the tiramisu and gelato con riso. The tiramisu is usually not my favorite but this one was so light and fluffy.

We all made each other take our time with each bite to make it last as long as possible. My favorite of the two was the gelato con riso.

It was pretty much rice pudding gelato layered with strawberry/ raspberry sauce. It was so delicious I could have eaten multiple by myself! I was so satisfied and perfectly full, but not over full, we were all excited to curl I'm bed and pass out!