Getting Feisty in Florence

As those of you who have been to Florence know it is a beautiful city with a multitude of art and sights. Kenny is a great tour guide and had a jam packed day of museum tickets reserved so we didn't have to wait in line. However, when we got to our first museum of the day, the Academia, to see the lovely David we learned that they would not be opening until 10:45, almost two hours after our scheduled reservation. We returned at 10;45 to find mass mobs of angry and confused tourists, mostly Americans, who wanted in the museum. You would have thought they were waiting in line for the last loaf of bread in the country. Kenny did what investigation he could to learn that we should mill about with the rest of the waiting mob and see what happens. When the doors opened what happened was as close to a stampede as I have ever been in. There were elbows flying, people shoving and lots of angry yelling. It was a bit embarrassing to be an American at that particular moment. However, our ability to stand our ground and keep our cool paid off because we were one of a few people who were finally let in to see the remarkable and awe inspiring David. Kenny's training in Sumo wrestling really paid off.
The Uffizi, our next stop on the tour, also contained beautiful art but by the end of the day were felt we were walking on bloody stumps. After a quick rest at the hotel were were ready to head out for another dining extravaganza, compliments of Rachael Ray and her $40 a Day book. This place was amazing. We again had to stand our ground and use our charm to get past the hungry mob and get a table in a restaurant that was booked with reservations several days ahead. When we sat down the food and wine started coming and we started eating, and eating, and eating. We began with prosciutto and melon, caprese salad, toast with pate and barley salad. We then had a variety of different pastas, followed by a lamb chop for me and a pork chop for Kenny with side dishes of the best green beans, spinach, potatoes, and beans you have ever had. Then we had bisccotti dipped in apricot liquor and for dessert cream Carmel and raspberry torte with sparkling wine. We were happy campers who weighed about 30 pounds more after we left the restaurant.