Arrivederci Firenze! :-(

Me and Rach outside a great little restaurant with really "friendly" waiters. :-)

Well, it is with great sadness that I say goodbye to Florence. Tonight is our last night here. (Yes, it's nearly midnight right now in Italy.) Rachael, Lorenza and I met up with one of Rachael's old roommates Katie to have dinner and celebrate our last night in one of the most epic cities in the world. I really don't want to leave. The fondness I have developed for this gorgeous city is really unlike anything I've ever experienced.

I saw Michaelangelo's David today. I turned the corner in the gallery and literally became breathless when I saw him. I actually had to stand there for a second and catch my breath. He is beautiful and remarkably preserved for a piece nearly 500 years old. It was truly an amazing experience. I just sat there and stared at him for goodness knows how long. He is captivating.

Rach and I also went to the Uffizi Museum today where we saw original works by Botticelli (Primavera and The Birth of Venus), Da Vinci, Raffael, Durer, Rembrant and many others. It leaves you with such a dumbfounded loss for words after seeing such beauty. We've really felt quite stupid and inarticulate this whole time...but we've laughed a whole lot, and that's important, right? :-)

As for the shopping in Italy, if anyone wants really nice gifts, let me know and you can give money to my parents or something to deposit in my account, or a really good IOU for when I return. The shopping is great, but I simply cannot afford anything right now. Nick, I did get your wine. We tried the brand tonight at dinner, it was made at one of the vineyards the restaurant owns. You'll like it. I still have a little more money to get you tea as well...remember the exchange rate is awful here.

Well, that's about all I have time to write about right now. Rachael and I make our way to Venice at 12:39 PM tomorrow, which is nearly 10 PM your time. We'll arrive close to four hours later and jump on a gondola (lol...right, if only they weren't $100 dollars a ride...not joking).

I love you all and want you to come visit this city someday. What a growing experience.
Here are a few more pictures. I'll probably check email and post in the next few days. I have to find an internet cafe in Venice first. Pray for our safe travel now that we have a little more to carry (presents and all).
Ciao, Emily

Last night, our hostess took us up to this square overlooking all of Florence. You can also see the walls that used to guard the city hundreds upon hundreds of years ago. It was such a hike, but so worth it. I think Rach and I have averaged walking close to 5 or 6 miles a day...many of those miles uphill. Buns of Steel ain't got nothing on us. :-) We're hoping.

Here's a semi unflattering pic of us on the terrace of Piazzale di Michaelangelo. The sunset over Florence was so beautiful. There were tons of people there also taking loads of pictures. It was a gorgeous night as well. We just walked around, explored and talked. So relaxing.