The twilight

We chose to spend our last morning in Florence at the Accademia museum. I pre-booked this event as well and got us to the right place at the right time! Seeing the line when we arrived, I felt pretty clever. Thanks Dad!

Near the entry hall of the museum stands Michelangelo's 'David'. He dominates the space. (Photos are strictly prohibited.) Don't know what it is about him that is so wonderful... he just is. Supposedly Michelangelo finished him in 1504 from a block of marble that two other sculptures had abandoned. He was positioned outside the door of the current Accademia and immediately became the symbol of Florentines. David's quiet and courageous victory over Goliath resonated with the status of Florence which at that time was surrounded by enemies.

There was a lot of other 'stuff' at the museum, priceless and notable works but it is all quickly forgotten when you view David. After a quick lunch we wandered and watched street artists make chalk replicas on the asphalt. We checked in on them again before dinner and the progress was evident but the work was still not complete.

They were making a TON of money as tourists passed and dropped Euro's in little baskets they had put out. We figured they probably got between 3 to 5 Euro a minute. Now that aint bad. Maybe we ought to look for a chalk supply store - our gelato habit is getting expensive.

The Ponte de Vecchio was beautiful in the last light of day and the boys learned the legend of the locks on the Arno. The story goes that if you write your name along with the name of your lover on a lock, attach it near the Arno and throw the key in the river, you'll never breakup. Looks like a lot of people hope for the best!

Shopping in Florence is just as impressive as it is in Milan. Our hotel is on a dangerous block, it houses Gucci, Prada, Tiffany's, Armani, Loius Vuitton, Roberto Cavalli; just to name a few. Don't know how some of this stuff sells though... denim shorts with fur cuffs, peep toe boots and fur dresses. Anyone?

At dinner we thought we'd mix things up a bit. They boys tried Italian cheesecake. Not INSTEAD of gelato, mind you. In ADDITION to gelato. Don't be ridiculous.