1980 Firenze/Florence (8/3/1980)

Sunday, August 3, 1980

Terry and I ended up actually lying on the corridor floor to sleep, and we weren't the only ones. Arrived about 06:00 in Bologna, where most people seemed to get off, so we had seats for the next 1-1/2 hours into Firenze/Florence. In the waiting room of Firenze we ate our breakfast of leftover bread, crackers and lemonade. Then checked our bags and started our tour. In the streets and in the station we noticed newspapers with big headlines in many prominent places, unusual for Italy. In translating the headlines and overhearing conversations, apparently there was a terrific explosion at the Bologna station the night before at about 22:00. We had passed through Bologna about 8 hours later. In Firenze we first saw the octagonal Baptistry with its bronze doors, then the colorful cathedral and its bell tower.

Duomo/Cathedral

Terry and I went inside the cathedral, but Kathy wasn't allowed in because she was wearing shorts. Not even a jacket wrapped around the waist helped. We then walked up to the Academy Gallery and joined the large crowd waiting outside. At 09:00 they opened up the doors, and we saw the gorgeous Davide by Michelangelo, as well as the rough "Captives."

Michelangelo's Davide/David

Then on to the San Marco Museum in the cloister of the San Marco church, showing the works of Fra Angelica. It seemed that every half hour in the morning we heard a concert of church bells, probably signifying Masses. Next we were headed to what we thought was the National Museum, but got sidetracked at the Medici palace where a couple fancy rooms were open for inspection. Then to the Orsanmichele Church to see its extremely ornate tabernacle altar. An offering made lights go on to illuminate the altar, and we took advantage of someone else’s offering to take a photo. We ended up in the Piazza della Signoria with its many statues and fountains.

Piazza della Signoria with
the Duomo dome in background

The exhibits in the Palazzo Vecchio were too expensive and not too interesting, so we went next door to the Uffizi Gallery to see extensive artwork. Back outside we passed the many stalls selling souvenirs and leather goods. We saw a view of Ponte Vecchio, then crossed the bridge with its shops (closed today) and homes and hippies.

Ponte Vecchio (TAT)

Postcard of Ponte Vecchio

Walked over to the Pitti Palace to see the Silver Museum (full of treasury-type items) and the Modern Art Gallery (modern art of the Renaissance as compared to pre-Renaissance! Raffaello/Raphael, etc.). We hiked back across the river Arno, and wandered over to the San Croce to see the tombs of Dante and Michelangelo, or at least memorials to them. Found Michelangelo Buonarotti’s house and our "free" museum tickets only got us a discount.

Michelangelo's House ticket

Italy Museum Pass

We saw the supposed early works of the great artist, and many portraits of him. Finally we found the National Museum with its art and artifacts. Decided to get lunch, and stopped in an Italian fast food place where they microwave the meals. We shared a plate of prosciutto and melon, and a special Macedonia (fruits in 7-up?). Kathy finally got her iced tea. Returned to the train station after noting the major buildings in Florence were in shadow. At the station I joined the long line at the money-exchange window shortly after 13:00. Kathy kept updating train information, and Terry got in line at another money-exchange window that never did open. Finally got my money at about 15:00. Heard that the police had closed the baggage area, and went to see the whole area cordoned off. Related to the mystery explosion at Bologna, which had killed at least 80 persons? They opened the baggage check at about 15:00, so we were able to retrieve our bags and hop on the 15:20 train to Pisa.

Map of Florence

We have been traveling with the three duffel-backpacks consolidated into two, and the canvas bag which is Kathy’s responsibility and carries our food and sometimes cameras. The most important bag of all!

Relatively uneventful trip to Pisa arriving at about 16:30. In the station there was no tourist information, no town maps, and no helpful signs pointing the way to the Leaning Tower. So we walked straight forward out of the station to what appeared to be a major traffic circle as perhaps the center of town. Once there we saw no signs, and actually saw few people. Arbitrarily chose a road off the circle that seemed to head for greenness, knowing the tower was in a fairly open area. Got to the green area and saw ruins of a sort, but more importantly we saw a map of the city. It seemed like kind of an out-of-the-way place for a map. In front of it was a lady doing something strange, imaginary cleaning of the sidewalk? We discovered we had gone in the wrong direction, east instead of north. So we walked along the Arno River until we came to the bridge to head us north. We then started seeing bright yellow signs with a leaning column and arrows, which we followed until we reached the actual tower. On our way we were passed at least twice by a couple of guys with sunglasses on a motorbike. Once in the area of the cathedral and its bell tower (the leaning one), we drank the last of our warm Sprites. Hot weather and lots of walking are using up our body moisture. Took several pictures of the tower including a push-me pull-me.

Pisa Baptistery and Cathedral

Terry and Kathy with the Leaning Tower of Pisa

Close up of the tower (TAT)

Kathy and Terry in a push-me pull-me photo

We were ready to go up in the tower until we found they were charging about $1.50 and there wasn't even an elevator! Really too tired anyway. Kathy went to see if she could get into the cathedral with her shorts. When she was gone several guys came and sat around Terry and me, asking if we spoke English, where we were from, where we were born, etc. Kathy came back to save us, and we all left. Kathy could not, but Terry and I went in the cathedral. We bought some more cold drinks before taking the bus back to the train station.

Pisa bus ticket

I had only enough change to buy two tickets from the machine in the rear of the bus. Once at the station we decided our only choice was to go on to Roma. So then went to a pastry shop to get some food and a bottle of water for the trip. The train left at nearly 20:00 and we got a couple of decent guys as compartment companions (i.e., they didn't cross-examine us!). The only free seats were in the smoking section and later we were joined by several smokers. Arrived in Roma about 22:30 and began our search for a hotel. Our first try, the pensione where I stayed last year, was full. So we accepted a room in the very next hotel which claimed it was their last. The door was right next to the desk, and we had to take a look to make sure it wasn't a closet. It had three beds, a shower and a sink. The toilet was down the hall. We left off our bags, then immediately left again to go to the corner pizzeria. We shared two pizzas, one plain Margherita and one with mushrooms. The waiters seemed to find our sharing interesting. Returned to the hotel, showered and went to bed.
Next: Roma/Rome.