I hope 2014 is off to a great start for all of you. Yesterday in Florence was relaxed during the day and crazy at night.
In the morning, we visited the Church of Santa Maria Novella located near the train station with the same name. I had been to this piazza before so it was memorable trip for me. The church has a history of Dominican order, which is obvious in the decoration. The frescoes are lovely with incredible attention to detail. They cover the walls and ceilings of the church parallel to the altar as well as behind it.
After we visited the church, we moved onto the Baptistery of the Duomo, which has a ceiling covered in mosaics depicting classic biblical scenes such as Adam and Eve, The Exodus from Egypt and the Crucifixion of Jesus. I have seen a great many pieces of art in churches throughout my life but this one blew me away. Never have I seen anything as detailed that ceiling keeping in mind that I have been to the Sistine Chapel in Rome.
In the afternoon, we walked around and had a delicious lunch of prosciutto and ravioli. I will never get tired of the Italian food:)
On New Years Eve, we gathered with our group for dinner. The menu was set with a champagne reception followed by salted cod w/ chickpeas, risotto with artichokes & shrimp, LOBSTER!, and wild berry soup with panettone.
We had ordered coffee but then realized that midnight was only 15 minutes away so we ditched out on coffee and headed for the Palazzo Vecchio. It was packed with 20 year olds and people were going CRAZY! Firecrackers and Fireworks were being set off in the streets and people were throwing champagne bottles in the air. The Italians definitely know how to throw a good party. After the partying was over, we started 2014 in good Italian fashion with GELATO! A delicious way to being the New Year.
Today, we slept in because all the museums and locations were closed. After a late breakfast, we walked around the northern part of Firenze, which is mostly residential. It was a nice walk that we followed with lunch. I had a divine pumpkin soup coupled with a sirloin steak w/ arugula and Parmesan.
Tomorrow, we will start back with our academic visits so make sure you check back:)
Annalee
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