REMINISCING.....

There is not a day that goes by that we don't miss our time in Florence.  Here are some of our likes and dislikes (although the "likes" far outweigh any negative aspects):

THE THINGS WE MISS THE LEAST ABOUT FLORENCE: aggressive old gypsy beggar women, walking up 5 flights of stairs to get to our apartment, the general aversion to air conditioning, a washing machine that held a thimble-full of clothes and took 3 hours to wash them, shower stalls so narrow that you couldn't lift up your arms without turning off the water or knocking over the soap dish with your elbows, having to choose between using a major appliance and using the A/C, blowing the fuses for the entire apartment several times a week, and the thing WE MISS LEAST OF ALL: THE HEAT!!! 

THINGS THAT WE MISS THE MOST ABOUT FLORENCE: the amazing vistas, the incredible food, the beautiful language, the gorgeous sunsets over the Duomo, the reflection of the buildings in the Arno at night, the culture, the live music in every piazza and on street corners every evening, the magnificent architecture, the breathtaking art and sculpture, the laughter and the drama in every conversation, AND MOST OF ALL: THE WONDERFUL ITALIAN PEOPLE.

MICHELANGELO'S DAVID(S)

IN THE PIAZZALE MICHELANGELO

IN THE PIAZZA DELLA SIGNORIA (replacement for the "real" David when it was moved from here to the Accademia)

T.H.E. DAVID (picture credit: Melissa Frydman)

AFTERMATH PT. 2

THE BEST FOOD IN THE WORLD....

Antipasti at La Giostra

Tagliata con Funghi at Trattoria Tre Soldi

Bistecca alla Fiorentina (Tre Soldi)

Steak, chicken, veal, and pork platter at Il Latini

Vin Santo and Biscotti (Il Latini)

Dessert plate no. 1 (Il Latini)

World's Best Chicken (Pollo al burro)  at Trattoria Sostanza

Pasta al Sugo (Sostanza)

Merengue Cake with Berries (Sostanza)

Christian's Bacon and Egg Pizza at I Ghibellini Pizzeria

Tagliatelle con Funghi (I Ghibellini)

Roasted Red Pepper Salad at Trattoria Camillo

Carpaccio (Camillo)

Fettucine with Ham and Peas (Camillo)

Panino (from Panini e Vino) with Rucola, Pear and Parmesan Salad (Angela and Melissa)

Rigatoni with Eggplant at L'Antico Noè

Spaghetti al Pomodoro at L'Antico Noè

Fried Zucchini Flowers (L'Antico Noè)

Rigatoni at Trattoria I Polpa in Fiesole

Spaghetti and Meatballs at I Polpa

Fusilla with Tomato and Ricotta (La Giostra)

Dessert Platter no. 2 at Il Latini

Rivareno Gelato (Cioccolato e Fragole)

Angela's homemade sandwich (finochiona, pecorino, pomodori secchi e rucola)

Spaghetti al Pomodoro at Spaghetteria Fratelli Briganti

Absolute best strawberries ever

Melissa eating a panino from L'Antico Vinaio

Zucchini flowers stuffed with Ricotta with Prosecco at Il Caminetto

The best branzino I have ever eaten at Il Caminetto

The best food in Florence, period-- at Pizzicheria Antonio Porrati

AFTERMATH PART I

Some of our favorite shots of Brunelleschi's magnificent Duomo.....

From our Living Room window

From our Dining Room window at night

From the Piazzale Michelangelo

From my classroom

"Still Life with Duomo" No. 1

Sunset over the Duomo

"Still Life with Duomo" No. 2

View from Forte Belvedere

View with Giotto's Bell Tower

Magnificent Sunset

Another magnificent sunset

View from Via Oriuolo

So many beautiful sunsets...

The cathedral, bell tower and Duomo

OUR LAST DAY IN FLORENCE

Well, our last day in Florence was blistering hot (probably the hottest day since we arrived).  Maybe it was the city's effort to try and make us happy to be leaving.  Can't say that it worked.  Our month in Florence was truly magical.   It was also difficult to say goodbye to Dan and Rachel.  We loved having them with us, but our time together went by so quickly.  They are now in Montalcino and then off to Cinque Terre.  We are back in Dayton.  Our flights home went well and we were met at the airport in Cincinnati by Joel and Christian.  We know that it was a big sacrifice for Joel to have us gone for so long --- just more proof of how much he loves us and how he would do anything to make us happy.  Melissa and I are very lucky girls. We love you, Joel.  Thanks for making our adventure possible.  We will remember it for the rest of our lives.
xoxoxo

Il Tempio Maggiore di Firenze-- The Great Synagogue of Flornece.  The synagogue was built in the late 1800's.
During WWII, Fascist soldiers used it as a vehicle garage.  In August, 1944, retreating German troops tried to destroy the synagogue.  The Italian resistance was able to defuse most of the explosives and only minimal damage was done. The synagogue was restored after the war.

Ruth's Kosher Vegetarian Restaurant, located next door to the synagogue.

Chabad of Florence

Rachel and Dan in front of the statue of Dante in the Piazza Santa Croce

Court yard behind the Leather School of the Church

Pizzicheria Antonia Porrati (Antonio is the man holding the prosciutto with me)

Melissa, Dan and Rachel after our incredible lunch at Antonio's

Last night in Florence.  Until next time..........