Florence with David

Another trip in pictures! Though I realized that I only got one picture with David actually in it, and he looked kind of bothered because a gypsy was trying to sell him something he didn't want.



This is the view from the Ponte Vecchio, the bridge on the Arno that is famous for selling gorgeous jewelry (that is waaay out of my price range).

The Ponte Vecchio by night. I love how all the shops closed up look like treasure chests.


The duomo of Florence. I believe Rick Steves said something along the lines of, "It looks like a duomo in pyjamas" (because it's so ornately decorated and colorful). It's a little loud for my tastes, but also very impressive.

All in all, Dave and I had a wonderful visit. He even consented to go to museums with me! We saw an amazing exhibit called "Cezanne in Tuscany," which was one of the biggest exhibits of his paintings ever. It also had paintings and sculpture by his admirers and the people he influenced, including artists as diverse as John Singer Sargent and Vincent van Gogh.

We also made it to the Galleria Academia to see the original David (plus a really neat musical instrument museum and some lovely paintings), which was as amazing as I remember it being. Nothing prepares you for seeing the actual thing, not the little plaster models they sell all over the city or even the copy that's still outside. The sheer . . . vitality of it astounds. Also, a few other ladies in the program and I have agreed that David (the stone one by Michelangelo) may be the most beautiful man alive. I must admit that David (the Turkish one not by Michelangelo) is definitely also in the running. I miss him already.