Day Sette!

Ciao!

   Today we spent a lot of time outdoors--but it was nice and sunny, which a good change. Florence is a beautiful city, and probably one of my favorite things about this trip! Everything's much more laidback here.
 
 We walked around the city for a little while, and ended up strolling through the Florentine flea market. It is too cool! Some of the venders were pretty amusing, especially the ones who are really intent on selling you something. There were quite a lot of lovely things there to buy, but clothes, jewelry and leather were the most common items on sale. We had a very nice time trying things on and whatnot. Josie and I both found leather jackets, and Josie also found a ring :) My dad wasn't too happy about spending his time in the city shopping. The pizza here is also really delicious (just like the rest of Italy!).
 
 After we went through the shops, the family headed over to the Duomo, designed by Brunelleschi. The dome itself was stunning! Inside the church (Santa Maria del Fiore) was rather barren compared to say the Vatican, but I liked it. I think that the Vatican and the more ornate basilicas/churches/etc. feel more like art work than a religious place. It's preference I suppose. Henry, Josie, and my dad wanted to walk up to the top of the dome, so they did. My mom and I stayed down. The spiral stairs are nauseating! Apparently they had a really stunning view of the city though, and they were able to watch the sunset over Florence. From what my mom and I could see from the ground, the interior part of the dome was covered in pastel frescoes. I thought they were pretty, but the guide book described them as mediocre. Probably just in comparison to the Sistine Chapel.
  
   We (my mom and I) stepped outside for a bit while the others were in the dome. There was a riot going on! I should say protest, but riot seems more fitting. It did appear that the group had police escorts though, which I found interesting. They ran through a small-ish street then they all sat down! Josie, Henry, and my dad said that they even threw a big banner promoting their cause--I'm not sure what that was--off of the dome. The police weren't too happy about that.

   Tomorrow we're going to an art gallery called the Uffizi! I'm very excited :)

Buona sera,

Olivia :)

Again, pictures soon!