There and Back Again: I Almost Cried

Yes, that is correct, I almost cried today.... a few times. The first was due to my walking buddy Francesca and I decided to go up to the top of the Duomo! We didn't go alone, two others joined us in our crazy idea. Actually, Francesca and I were both not sure if we wanted to go, we had to talk each other into it. The steps for this adventure were not nearly as bad, we were still huffing and puffing, but our legs didn't seem to protest like the day before. We got up to the first 'overlook' from inside the dome. I have a fear of heights if I don't feel protected enough, I was not feeling very protected despite the plastic wall preventing us from falling over the railing. The view was amazing and I got a lot of pictures of parts of the beautiful ceiling, but a long line forming behind us forced us forward. Up more stairs, spiral staircases and some really steep ladder-like steps over the dome itself, then out on

top! The view was awesome!!! I still felt very nervous up there so I didn't get too close to the edge, except for one picture. As soon as I heard the click I got my butt back to more solid ground (for me). The trip down wasn't nearly as bad.... though we did noticed someone puked at some point just before we started down. As we headed down we thought we must have done something wrong because we were having to share the space, that was not an issue before. We soon found out why, you go back inside the dome, but higher up!!! I will admit my fear was pretty much on a high level, but not so much that I got on my tip toes and touched the actual dome fresco (probably one of the 'Hell' portions...) and have Francesca take a picture of it. Once back in the middle section, the climb back down wasn't so bad.

We caught up with the group just outside the Palazzo Vecchio and looked at the sculptures in the Orsanmichele (I got a lot of photos there). We decided that we would get some lunch before we headed to the Uffizi Gallery (it wasn't all that good, but it wasn't that bad either).

Now for the second reason I almost cried. The Uffizi gallery is home to a few very famous paintings and at least one sculpture that I studied in my various art history classes, but never thought I would see.... ever... in real life. I can now say that I have. First of all, you have to climb stairs (my thighs hate me but my calfs look great!) to the third floor to see the really great, mind-blowing paintings. I enjoyed looking and taking photos where I could and when I saw something that I wanted to 'keep'. It wasn't until we got to the room that held the Botticelli pieces that I got really excited. As soon as you walk in you can't miss his "Birth of Venus". Absolutely huge and more beautiful in person than in a book. I just stood there for a few minutes taking it all in. On another wall was Botticelli's "Spring", just so incredible. Onward I went, kind of on my own, this is one insanely huge gallery and you need to go at the pace that makes you comfortable. I saw some amazing pieces and

would have to remind myself that the ceiling was just as beautiful and look up. I felt like I was getting to the end of the upper gallery when I spotted someone from my group, I asked her how she was doing and almost cut off her response when I looked to my left. At the end of the hall was "Laocoon"!! I love the sculpture (heaven only knows why because it's actually kind of disturbing) and was shocked to see it here. I almost ran over to go take some pictures and to just take it all in. After I settled myself down I made my way to other exhibits and then out the door. Not knowing where anyone else was, I just kind of strolled back to the hotel.

This is where I tell you that I think I'm gonna have to scrap my project of illustrating Inferno with photos. I realized that there was no way I would be able to really get every place that the characters go to, I would probably have to miss a day with the group I'm here with in order for this project to really happen and be complete. So I will have to rethink this a bit. I have over 500 pictures right now, so we'll have to see what I can come up with. Projects change all the time in photography, so I don't feel bad about this at all.

While some of the group went to a concert, I decided to go walking around taking pictures of the night time here in Florence. So many lights, so many people, and not once did I feel unsafe. Granted I kept to the well lit and heavily populated areas, but I still felt fine. I did find one place to eat that I would not go back to. The service was nice, but the food was just ok and there was a minimum I had to order in order to use my credit card (20 euros and my meal was 7).... since he didn't tell me and I only chose this place because of the credit card sign in the window he let me pay with the card anyways. Still not going back though.

So now for your daily intake of pictures.