Trip to Firenze e Pisa

Masha arrived Thursday around 16:00 and proceeded to terrorize my room with her 300 lbs of baggage. After catching up with her and visiting Bocconi and the Duomo it was about time we went to Dinner for Alberto's last night, as he will be leaving us for some crappy town in China. And since we want to show him a good time we thought a cheap mexican place would be a good bet. So Papa's and Beer it is.

There is no such thing as cheap mexican food in Italia. You'd expect a 14 euro burrito to be decent, but from what i saw I'm glad that Masha and I went in on a 8 euro (each) Quesadilla, I could literally eat 3 of these. After our insanely expensive (and crappy (in my opinion) meal) we decided to hit The Club a little early, as going back to Arco would take to long. Johnny had brought a bunch of wine, and Masha and I had brought some beer.

We finished everything we had outside and then proceeded inside with the same deal we get for every club, 10 euro cover with 2 drinks, or free cover, drinks are usually 10 euro. Needless to say we went with the free drinks. The Club was pretty nice and since we got there around 23:00 it was really easy to get our own table, we decided not to coat check (against my better judgment). Their fragole invisible was the strongest yet and 2 of them basically knocked everyone on their feet, especially Jenal, who proceeded to take a nap at the table. To our pleasure this was a perfect photo opportunity. By 4am it was time to head out as we had to wake up at 9 to catch our 11am train to Firenze. Chris and I helped carry Jenal to the cab. We got home safe and soon everyone was up at 9. I was able to take really embarrassing photos of Masha on the train.

The train ride was fairly uneventful and took us to the station right outside of Florence. We headed in and since I've stayed at Plus Florence before showed everyone how to get there. It was a beautiful day so a few people decided to take off their jackets and go in just a shirt. It got cold fast. We went to the Duomo and got a few good shots in front of the Gates to Heaven and Hell and of course inside. Beautiful as always but I still like our Duomo more. We walked around looking for gelato. and explored the Ponte Vecchio before heading back to the Hostel and getting ready for dinner.

Ponte Vecchio HDR

We find this really good place that Dan had in his guide book that offers 2 courses, a vegetable course, water, wine and service for only 12 Euro. A great deal and one of the best meals I've had in 3 weeks. I called Carolyn and we decided to meet up in a few hours and head to the bars.

Chris, Colleen, Dan and Jenal head over to meet Carolyn at the Duomo and on the way i ran into Danica Kalmbach my old neighbor.

I knew she was in Firenze, but didn't have her number at all. We drink a little at Carolyns and then head to a packed bar where i see still more Cal people! It was about 1am and we were kinda tired from the day of traveling and exploring and so we head back home. The four of us, Chris, Jenal, Colleen and I walked in the direction that I believed was home, Dan had gone to visit his friends. I have no idea where we ended up. Our goal of being home by 1:15 turned slowly into 2:30. I felt really bad for everyone else, honestly I was loving exploring at night.

We wake up at 9ish and start again to explore. We head straight to the Accademia where they have David. There was no line this time! It was still as impressive as ever and I was able to snap a picture or two. We head over to the Uffizi where we decide to split up because Kris, Jenal, Chris and I had already seen it. We then head to the top of the city to Piazza di Michelangelo (I think). I get the chance to take a few more HDR photos, which turned out ok, its tough when the picture is so busy. It was another beautiful day and we head back to meet everyone.

We walk back to the center of town the whole time I'm trying to match places to their respective scenes in Hannibal, its kinda difficult, but I was able to find a few. We grab lunch and then I head back to the Hostel to nap. I wake up just in time to shower (i used the sheets to dry off) and go to dinner. We went to a place just down the road with the same deal, but this time decide to drink even more wine (uh oh). After dinner we head back to the hostel, and meet up with Carolyn and Cami, we continue drinking before heading out to club Space. It's a pretty cool club, but I spend most of my time up top people watching and talking. The rest of the night is my dramatic escape, and capture from the club, and my first ever bribe in Italia. I think we all decided this is where the night should end.

I woke up at 730 (shaken awake), slightly hungover/drunk and we finished packing and got to the Santa Maria Novella right on time to catch our train. It was a very uncomfortable hour train ride, and the weather was starting to turn bad. We got to Pisa and it was raining slightly. We split up again and half of us decided to walk and half took the bus. Jenal Kathy and Colleen decide to get some Kabob, but Chris and I are too poor, like my roommate (hahaha), to buy breakfast.

Pisa is a normal city and literally the only thing to see is the tower, which is everything you've ever pictured. It really was cool to see. It was also 15 euro to get to the top, so we proceeded to take really cheesy tourist pictures instead. Kathy and Jessica go to Mass while the rest of us head off to get lunch. Chris and I are still too poor to eat. I stole some of Kris's french fries.

Our train home is at 17:00 and its about 11-12 when we finally get back to the train station. Everyone decides to get on the earlier train that we didn't exactly pay for... within 30 minutes the conductor comes and we have to pay for the difference. Moving to another cabin the 6 of us (Masha, Chris, Colleen, Dan, Kathy) turn the Seats into a giant love bed. the remaining 4 hours of the trip is uneventful, everyone wanted to sleep and my Ipod died. Halfway through the trip as I'm getting up to go to the bathroom a couple opens the door and as I'm standing there awkwardly, 5 bodies pressed against each other in spoon formation I say "Morto Ciao" a complete inside joke that translates roughly to "extra hey." They slowly back out of the cabin.

Train Ride

We get home safely, a little bit tired and a lot wiser.

Trip to Firenze e Pisa

Firenze, Italy