We had breakfast at the hotel early Wednesday morning and as soon as I had a free moment I darted back to one of the shops we had seen the day before and got me my BOOTS! So incredibly fulfilled and done with obsessing about Italian boots, we set out North toward the Duomo ready for the task ahead. I had remembered the thousands of people out front waiting to get in the Catherdal in April, but this time of year it seems the city is dead and so we walked right in no questions asked. The Santa Maria del Fiore is not at all close the the ornate church that is St Peters but it does have some character to it. I lit a candle and prayed for my family and friends and that Karly and Muffy would make it up to the top of the Duomo with out passing out. Mom stayed and looked in the gift shops while me, muff, aubs, kar, and vig took our crazy asses up all 463 stairs .. Karly and Muffy had a little panic attack as we walked out to the plexiglass enclosure that went around the balcony in the dome. oh yes, the only thing keeping us from become a postcard on the floor of the alter was this 1 inch of plastic. Totally safe. Vig, Aubs and I went all the way to the top up towering staircases and finally outside. Once out you over look the entire city. The sight is so sureal.
We raced down to find Karly and Muffy playing with this mangy bird Muffy had found right outside. This thing was hilarious - all mangled and crockety it was like the heah gang member patrolling the turf. We were quickly sidetracked by the Polizia trying to bust these guys selling knock off prints in the square - something that i would never guess was so highly illegal that the police would actually hunt you down in the streets. My security rose then about 10 levels.
We set out for lunch and go terribly lost as Aub led us to a panini shop she had been recommended. Once we found it - it was a good hour until we finally got in the store and panini's in our belly. They were amazing however I could of eated sawdust and said the same thing right then. SO HUNGRY!
Fueled and ready to continue we set out for the David. Little did we know this would be an entire second phase of hiking for the day. We had to get out of the city, cross the bridge, walk to a new town, climb a mountain full of stairs all to finally come upon the statue of Michelangelo's David all green, tarnished and unkepted. I can definitely vouch that he does have one rock hard ass. wooo!
My Mom just about had a stroke on the way up but we all survived and walked home with just enough time to rest and get ready for the evening.
Amanda met us at Garga and Mom had decorated the whole table in bithday galore. I was so surprised and felt so special being there with all my favorites. The Garga boys hadnt changed a bit since I last saw them. We had amazing food - chicken, pesto, tortellini and I got a full on happy birthday song (in English nontheless) from the staff with homemade cheesecake. it was by far the best birthday I had ever had -- and probably will never be topped.
amanda and I immediately caught up like old times. We had so much to talk about but we morphed right back into our old ways.
I feel hard for the city last night. I mean Hard. i love it here and have a feeling one day I will call it home.
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