time is a luxury

[fahye]

Having bid Venice a fond farewell (and about time too: if I had stayed any longer, I would have ended up buying the entire island of Murano and needing an extra three suitcases to fit all my glass jewellery in) we are now in FIRENZE aka FLORENCE aka We Don't Actually Know Anything About This City* But Here We Are Anyway!

*Okay, this is a bit of a lie, I know that we have to see the 'David'. But that's it.

Though devoid of Venice's blue skies, it's also slightly warmer, and it's nice to think that we are only going further south from here.

We are in the world's greatest hostel (stone's throw from the train station, awesome murals on the walls, free breakfasts and pasta dinners, free walking tours, FREE INTERNET) and I am feeling quite relaxed thanks to the insanely long hot shower I had yesterday. I can't quite get used to the idea that one is ALLOWED long showers because there are NO WATER RESTRICTIONS. Every good Australian has a water-use guilt complex the size of a mountain.

How are you all? Is anyone awake? I have no clue about timezones whatsoever, but if you're around then comment; I might sit here for a while and work on my oh_shit_santa entry. I am getting the hang of how to punctuate on Italian keyboards.

Comments

[darthrami.livejournal.com]

I'm totally loving all your travel posts. I want more pictures, dammit!

[fahye.livejournal.com]

All of the photos are on Mel's camera; we are just about halfway through and she has already taken OVER 1500 so how I'm ever going to sort through them all and pick those to make a photospam post when we return is anyone's guess.

[spikeyboots.livejournal.com]

Hello you! Free internet for the win!

Hope your NYE was fab and that 2009 is shaping up mighty pretty for you! Looking forward to our coffee in Sydney! :)

[fahye.livejournal.com]

It was cold but a lot of fun, and now I can say been-there-done-that to the NYE in Trafalgar Square thing :) How was your party?

[spikeyboots.livejournal.com]

It sounds lovely! :) But yes, COLD. There was snow yesterday. Proper snow!

Masquerade was fun, I just like dressing up! Twas enjoyed by all.

[oloriel.livejournal.com]

Do have a look at the golden cathedral door! It's quite impressive. Actually the whole cathedral is, if you're into architecture, but the door is pretty.

Might I ask for the name of the hostel, for future travel planning? :D

[fahye.livejournal.com]

It's called Hostel Archi Rossi and it is AN AMAZING HOSTEL EXPERIENCE.

[schiarire.livejournal.com]

fdsagkl FAHYE Florence is the reason Stendhal Syndrome exists that is how much art there is there! If you don't go to the Uffizi, the Accademia di Belle Arti Firenze and the Vecchio at least I will probably die right here in my seat.

[fahye.livejournal.com]

We were definitely planning on the first two but the third has now been added to our list! Though we only have three days, and only one morning in which we are free to queue early like eager beavers (probably for the Accademia). Tomorrow I think we are doing a walking tour in the morning and the Uffizi in the afternoon. If anyone faints I will let you know.

[schiarire.livejournal.com]

Well, I won't be there, so it should be fainting-free!

[sainfoin-fields.livejournal.com]

Also go to Santa Croce (with no Baedekker's), the Duomo and find out about its history, and the Pitti Palace! You can also make day trips to Siena and Pisa.

[schiarire.livejournal.com]

SIENA

I think if I were ever in Siena two years of art history class would probably rise up and forcibly club me to the ground, where I would mutter weird things about gold foil until arrested and taken away.

[sainfoin-fields.livejournal.com]

I have actually BEEN to Siena! I did not have a muttering episode, but I may or may not have felt a bizarre atheist urge to cross myself in the cathedral; that's how Mystically Catholic it was.

[nextian.livejournal.com]

*dying. to. death* I HAVE THE OPPOSITE THING TO SAY TO JI. As long as you're not here for too long, it is totally very fun in every way, but I don't remember there being that many museums, I am such a hack! Also it is like seven hours to get into any of them at all in the summer. Which it isn't right now. So you're probably in the clear.

I just remember being bitter that there were only two (2) bars in town. But that is unfair. It's very peaceful and beautiful and full of the art.

[schiarire.livejournal.com]

WHY DO YOU SAY YOUR HORRIBLE WORDS WHEN THERE ARE ACTUAL REAL CARAVAGGIOS TO SEE IN FLORENCE

dahhhhh

Plus this (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palazzo_Vecchio#Old_Chancellery) ...

[fahye.livejournal.com]

Bars, schmars, I bought a tiny bottle of crappy wine for the equivalent of $3 from the hostel shop and there is a COMPUTER IN THE ROOM WITH MY BED so I am going to wriiiiiite.

[polaris-starz.livejournal.com]

I got a postcard today, mailed from Strasbourg! I am slightly unsure if it is from you or from Ji, or both, because the initial is slightly hard to read. BUT IT MADE ME VERY HAPPY and is totally going up on my wall. :D :D :D

[fahye.livejournal.com]

Probably Ji, as I have never set foot in Strasbourg!

[gules]

OMG FLORENCE. i went to opera camp there a few summers ago and it was amaaaaazing.

okay, this is not an art rec, but you NEED to go to perche no—their fruit-based gelatos (gelati?) are the absolute best. i did have a pretty excellent zabaione-flavored one at vivoli, though, if you like the creamier sorts.

♥

reposted to fix the html, whoops!

[fahye.livejournal.com]

GELATI YES PLEASE *takes note*

[gules]

oh, and italian keyboards are DEEPLY FRUSTRATING, as i recall. tho french ones may be worse—that was a summer full of homestays, and i can't remember exactly how they stacked up.

i think it is theoretically possible to change the language & thus the keyboard settings, but i am not the one to consult. :)

[stephiepenguin.livejournal.com]

That's how I feel when I'm visiting the Small SEA Island, and the water in the shower is like rain and I'm like WHAT I COULD STAY HERE FOR TEN MINUTES?