Giro de Uffizi Museo! Tour of the Uffizi Museum

Today began with me meeting Joe and Marty Loughlin, their daugher Katie and friend Martha at the train station for their one-dayvisit to Florence. They are seeing "all of Italy" and are staying in a countryside villa nearby this week. Walking them around on a short tour was fun and then it was time to meet my group for a tour of some fine art. A little background info here - the Medici family were the richest folks around here for about 300 years and they collected a lot of high dollar art! Michelangelo was practically adopted into the family and he did a lot of painting for them as did many other most famous artists. Anyway, most of this great art is now on display at the Uffizi Museum and we saw it today! By the way - Uffizi means "office" in Italian and this huge building was the "Medici office building" during their lifetimes and later converted to the museum. After downing a strong cup of expresso to keep on going, we caught a bus and headed up to Piazza Michelangelo to see the view from above and yet another "David"! This one was bronze - turned green - from long years out in the open, but just as giant as the original in the Accademia we saw yesterday. Then it was back home and out to a "caffeteria" for supper. Another interesting day in Italy! More later!

Mercado Centrale e Accademia! Central Market and The Academy Today

After a liesurely morning around the cappuccino cups in the dining room, we walked (we walk everywhere so far!) to the huge market. All the fresh fruit, vegetables, meat, fish, flowers, etc. are incredible along with pasta, olive oil, wines and many shoppers! Then we went to a regular grocery store to pick up other provisions. In the afternoon it was off to visit the Academy gallery to see the famous "David" by Michelangelo. He was impressive as usual - still in excellent shape after hanging around Florence since 1504! The orginal is now in the museum after being outside for 300 years. There's a replica in Plaza Vecchio where he once stood and another one at the Plaza Michelangelo - actually he's everywhere, especially in souvenir shops! Everyone holding up well! More later!