How many monkeys were in the bed? We aren't certain but we do know that there were one too many bananas in the bed and it ended as badly as the children's story last night when the front desk had to help change out some sheets! Fortunately most but not all jet lag is behind us and those who were still needing to catch up on sleep had a three hour bus ride this morning to rest. Those who weren't sleeping saw us cross the Appeninnes and picked up some snacks at the Autogrille.
The rain held off until just as we finished the walking tour of the Florence city center...Ponte Vecchio and the shops overhanging the Arne, a duomo of green, pink, and white marble, and the Santa Croche cathedral were highlights. At a local leather shop students were taught how to distinguish real from fake leather and saw how molds are created to form leather-bound boxes and other shapely covers. Afterwards, maps were passed out and students set out to grab snacks and do some shopping. Street vendors were pretty aggressive today and some of the travelers succumbed to buying a scarf or a work of art...but don't tell anyone because we've heard purchasing street art is somehow illegal (!) Those who ventured to the Galleria del' Accademia saw the original David sculpted by Michaelangelo. A replica which took 20-years to construct now stands in the square so that visitors can see the context which the artist had in mind as he formed his masterpiece.
Tonight after dinner we are escorting the kids to the famed Florence discoteque...due to this late-night excursion, there will be no other blog update until tomorrow. Rock on!
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