Fun times and long updates Part 1

Thanks to a poor internet connection at the hostel, we've rather fallen behind on our blog updates. Let's see...what have we been up to?

On 17 October, we visited the Archeological Museum first thing in the morning. It was smaller and less well organized than the Egyptian museum in Torino. Only about 20% of the exhibits on the first floor were translated into English, but there they were mostly keeping small artifacts dug up from various ancient people's tombs. The second floor was devoted almost entirely to Etruscan pottery and had very good English translations. We know a lot now about Etruscan trading, artisan, and burial habits, but very little about who they were. This is something I think I will pursue more once we get back to the states and I can find a book or two on the subject.

For lunch we had a local specialty: tripe sandwich. Josh hated it, but I think it was the texture and appearance more than the taste. I neglected to pull back the bread to get a good look at what I was putting into my mouth and I thought it was great. I think they cook the tripe in broth for hours, so it just tastes meaty and soft. We found a really good gelateria across from the Pitti Palace, which made up for the bad gelato we had near the Ponte Vecchio.

Here are a few pics of Florence. The next update will contain post-Florence activities.

Found the panorama function on my camera. Have been [ab]using it with gusto. Here's a shot of the city from Piazelle Michalangelo. Maybe clicking on the photo will get you to a larger version? If not, then you'll just have to wait for us to show you when we get back!

Perseus with Medusa's head!
A copy of the statue David trying his best to ignore the tourist throngs below him. The original costs 6 euros to see, so we settled for this one instead.
A well preserved Stela from the Archeological museum. These things are covered in prayers and symbolic offerings for the dead.
A shot of the Duomo. My crappy little camera has trouble with close up shots of large buildings and this is the only picture with minimal warping.