walking tour

After classes today, my roommates Gina, Dee, Tiffany and our friend Will went on a tour in the Santa Maria Novella area of the city. The walking tours through school are great. We went on one last week to San Miniato and Michelangelo and I was blown away, so when we found out about this one, we knew we had to go. It's a guided tour with the campus' certified guide AND we get complimentary gelato at the end all for free. Our guide, Elfrida is amazing. She's this super adorable, extremely smart little lady who could tell you everything about Florence, down to literally the materials they use to pave the streets. She is great.

At the tour I learned that one of my buildings at school was once a palace owned by the Dohni family, a rich and powerful family that sponsored Michelangelo as one of their artists. His famous wooden painting displayed in the Uffitzi museum apparently used to hang on the walls of what is now our school. It just amazes me that a walk to work or the market involves passing palaces and cathedrals constructed back in the 1400's.

After the tour, we went to the Ponte Santa Trinita Bridge. The bridge overlooks the beautiful Arno River. There are these amazing triangular cement blocks that jet off the side of the bridge, meant for standing on to dangle off the side to get an even better view of the city.
This weekend, I am visiting Cinque Terre for a day trip on Sat and going to an Florentine soccer game. I can't believe this is my life! :) 

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