a slight delay....

 After enjoying a wonderful performance by the philharmonic yesterday evening (the PFW site isn't as beautiful as the Embassy but the sound was excellent so I will adjust) I had just settled down to write my blog when the lights went out.  Not just my lights, the entire building was dark.  Since I can't type when I can't see the keyboard, and having received a text from I&M assuring all of us that the lights would be back on by 3am, I went to bed.  So here I am writing an early morning blog.  

I have traveled in Italy before but I had never been to Florence or Rome, two big items on my bucket list, so I was very excited to be heading for Florence on day 3.  It was a beautiful city to explore and to shop in.  I did indulge in a little souvenir shopping at the "Gold Corner" which was also, conveniently, our meeting place at the end of our free time.  As part of the Florence experience we had been promised a tour of the Academy, where Michelangelo's original 'David' is displayed, or the Medici's Palazzo Vecchio, depending on availability.  As it turned out, we toured the palazzo, which was a lovely building with some beautiful art work and lots and lots of steps, but not what I was hoping to see.  Don't worry, my travel buddy and I rectified this situation. You'll hear about that on day 7.

I really like the style of this church, one of the first we saw in Florence. Notice the Star of David at the top.  This is a Christian church but the architect was Jewish and was encouraged to add this nod to his heritage.

A close up of details on the Duomo, the main cathedral of the city. The three colors of marble used together are a hallmark of Italian Renaissance architecture and one of the things I really wanted to see in Florence.

The outside 'David,' a very good copy, but not the real thing.  The original was moved indoors many years ago to protect from weather and vandalism. 

A classic view of Florence, so beautiful.

My travel buddy and I at the end of a long, weary day.  We have been friends since high school and have taken several trips together. I'm more organized and keep us on time, but she spots signs and figures out where we need to be more quickly, so we make a good team.