July 27th
After yesterday’s laborious walk in Cortona, we were thankful to wake up to a morning of cooler weather. We also got an addition to our normal continental breakfast – chocolate hazelnut spread! With full stomachs, we were ready to ride the train to Florence for a day with more free time than before!
Coming to Florence for the second time, many of us had an idea of what we wanted to do while others were more adventurous and saw where the city would take them.
A big group of us went to a music store near the train station. Filled with all kinds of brass and woodwind instruments, many of the band kinds on the trip had a blast playing an ophicleide and a helicon right here in Italy! Next door to the music store, some of us got to see where Gene Pokorny — known as the best tuba player in the world — gives master classes.
Passing by a bookstore on the way to the music store, some of us couldn’t resist stopping on the way back! Bookshelves were filled from the floor to the ceiling with books on interior design, art, fashion, floral design, patterns and textiles. It was a treasure trove for the art enthusiasts of the group.
Another group explored the shops of Florence that we were not able to visit the first day we were here. We went to the shops outside of the Mercato Centrale, where there was a wide variety of leather bags, jewelry, and fun little knick knacks unique to the city. John was able to visit his roommate’s uncle’s leather shop; they were able to catch up and he received a free leather keychain! He took a photo with the uncle and sent it to his roommate, and ate a good lunch at the uncle’s recommendation. However, we gained just as many life lessons as souvenirs today. Arda, Matthew, Sid, Hunter, and Tiernan unfortunately experienced getting scammed first hand. A store owner at one of the outdoor shops in the marketplace stalled the group by asking them for the time or where they were from. Upon answering, they found themselves holding products such as bracelets and belts (of questionable quality), forced into their hands; they were coerced into paying for them. This was definitely an interesting turn of events for the boys, who are left with interesting souvenirs and are able to tell the tale.
Overall, Florence has had the most vendors and artists selling their handcrafted work right on the streets of the city! Many of these artists have been doing their craft for decades, staying in Florence for most of their careers. Without a doubt, the art galleries in Florence feature exquisite work done by innovative and famous artists. However, the abundance of smaller artists in Florence truly heightens the city’s skill and appreciation of art as well as their enthusiasm to share their work with others!
For lunch, many went to an indoor marketplace with a food court on the second floor. With a variety of cuisines, the marketplace fulfilled our cravings of pasta, pizza, steak, American burgers, and even Asian cuisine – dumplings, rice bowls, and milktea! Wanting to have more time to explore the city, a group of us got sandwiches to-go for a quick meal before shopping from
vendors around the city.
Others wanted to indulge in the Florentine steak that was recommended a few days earlier by the man and tour guide himself: Giovanni. One group got a 2-kilogram (4 pound) steak, and the five said it was absolutely delicious, while another group ordered a 5.6 pound porter steak.
After hearty lunches all around, with tons of souvenirs and art purchases, we were off to the Gallerie dell’ Accademia! The most notable work in the gallery was the statue of David — a very popular pictorial spot for the group. Described by Giorgio Vasari as “fluent” and “graceful”, the statue is one of Michelangelo’s most famous works of art. Additionally, the gallery’s walls were filled with paintings, panels, and frescoes that were once placed in chapels. Other jaw dropping rooms included exhibits of musical instruments and busts made of plaster. A popular favorite among our group was the hurdy gurdy, a medieval instrument that has the appearance of a boxy guitar and contains guitar-resembling strings and piano-resembling keys. Overall, it was a great experience to see so many famous works of such attentive detail, color, and size.
This second visit to Florence was a great way to end our last day of our stay in Castiglion Fiorentino. A successful day of productive shopping, satisfied grubbing, and riveting sightseeing, we head back to the hotel tired but happy.
