Day 52: Announce

Bargello, Santa Croce and more!

this morning we began by getting up and heading to Florence for the day. We arrived in the train station and got together with the film crew. after we were all there we walked to the Bargello to look at all the magnificent sculptures in this once prison for important criminals. We got to see many of Donatello's sculptures including St. George and two of his Davids( though one may in fact not be David...). We also saw the original competition plaques of 1401, Michelangelo's Bacchus, and much more. It was a very interesting and cool experience to see all of these sculptures right here next to each other and in a kind of out of the way place.

after the Bargello we went to Del Panello for Lunch. We ate an amazing 4 course meal with 2 types of pastas, some meat (think pork in some lemon sauce), salad, gelato, and bread. Very good meal! after lunch we had 30 min or so to wonder around, before going to the Palazzo Vechio. this is Florence Town hall. It has been for many years and is still used as such. WE got to walk through many of the rooms after hours with the president of the board. We got to see the old room before heading to what they currently use to decide matters. After that we got to go through a side door tot he announcement perch that overlooks the large piazza where David use to stand and with the Uffizi to your left and the Dome to your right. We got to go out and look off the Balcony and pretend like we had something to announce to the people of Florence like they did 700 years ago. (something that even Robbie and our Tour guide have never seen or done!)

after this once in a lifetime experience we headed for Santa Croce to see one of the most revered churches in all of Italy. We saw many tombs of famous individuals along with commemorative plaques for those that were great Florentines but are buried somewhere else. We also saw a wooden crucifix from teh challenge of Donatello and Brunelleschi that you can read about in Vasari's Lives of the Artists. We then entered the Potzi Chapel. We got to see Brunelleschi's architecture and simplicity of design. We walked around saw Chimabue's crucifix through a window near the chapel before turning around to take pictures of the Greek facade looking structure for the Potzi Chapel.

after our day out me and Sara walked through the streets some. we went into a small paper store that was really cool. It has prints, journals, books, signets stamps, calligraphy sets, among other very interesting things. but after that we headed back to the villa for the evening festivities.

That night we had a wonderful meal of chili, chips and salsa, birthday cake, and gelato! Then we had a concert from the Scandicci Jazz band. They were very good and a fun experience. After that we had Mission Impossible Awards. Congratulations to Ferarra (1st), Lucca (3rd), and I think Assisi (2nd). anyway It was a fun evening!

but tomorrow is a free day. I'm planning on spending it in Florence to try and get something things done that I've been wanted to do and see, but don't have much time for after classes (since stuff closes at like 4:30 or 5)