Exploring Florence

While not our early morning back in Massachusetts, we were able to begin our day (9:30 am) at the Mercato Centrale.   We are slowly adjusting to Italian time.

Many stands of vegetables, fruit, olive oil, pasta, meat, bread.  

Fresh made spaghetti and Pomodoro sauce will make a wonderful dinner later this week.

The afternoon walk began at the Ponte Vecchio bridge

Galileo lived here in the 1600s.

Hiked up to the Forte di Belvedere built in 1590 to see a beautiful view of the city 

   
  a disappointing and confusing entrance lead us down the hill towards the Plazzale Michelangelo next to the old city wall and olive trees   

When we arrive at the Piazzale we are greeted by the breath-taking view of the city in which you can see all the famous attractions including the Duomo, St. Croche, Mom's office (lower yellow building in fore ground across the Arno -2nd floor), the National library and the new abstract courthouse.

At the end of the day we discover a street artist's work shop (Clet Abraham - more later on him) that turns street signs into funny art pieces 

and at the end of the day we stopped in a cafe for a cold drink and chocolate covered meringue.

            Kendall Hauerwas