Florence, Firenze, Florenci, Florenz

Seriously, Florence has at least four names as to which it is referred. It was a bit confusing at first, but now I just assume that any "F" name that sounds Italian must be in this wonderful city of which I am sitting on the patio outside. Today was pretty fantastic: I hung out with girls I wouldn't have normally and they kept me amused and interested in Florence (which was definitely important considering how exhausted I was throughout the day)--a fun bunch.
Let's begin!
So the train ride was just what I needed. I have had too much of the city these past few days, so a little country gazing definitely cured my slight case of home sickness. I got to listen to Jack Johnson and read some of Wuthering Heights. Good times. The country side of Italy reminds me so much of Napa Valley with a Tuscan twist. I love it. Lot's of grape groves (brain-toot... I don't think their called groves); I'd like to live here if it was in the country part. It was alternating between a drizzle and a rain when we arrived to the Firenze station (out came the cheap umbrellas we had all bought in Rome from the street marketers). We walked at least a mile with all our luggage in the rain/drizzle but it was worth it to arrive to a very nice hostel... WAY nicer than the ghetto one in Rome (no more chance of collapsing on Kylie in this bunk!) ;)
Since we couldn't check in yet, we explored Florencia a little bit (are you confused yet by my name alterations?) first visiting these two Cathedrals that were decorated ornately with an array of intricate marble patterns--on the outside! We haven't even seen the inside yet, but I'm sure it will be impressive as well. Luci, Koester, Lacy, Caitlyn, Ashley, Kylie and I then explored the Markets (both outdoor apparel and accessories and indoor food auctions) which was pretty neat... Denios minus the BO. ;)
We walked to the Academia museum (I think that's what it was called) where the statue of David is by Michelangelo (which the girls in my group stared at for 25 minutes in silence) :). In line we saw KELLY RIPA and her fam... the other girls took a pic with her and later found her inside; our group kinda stalked her and her family for an hour (more like just going in the same direction with a common destination and just looking at them while we walked). Her daughter kept looking back and staring at Julia and waving; it was cute. :)
We walked some more went over a bridge (totally Italy with the arches and such) and found a Piazza to play with pigeons and take a nap. For dinner we went to this restaurant (ristorante) where ordered a Bianca Pizza (Four cheese)... it was VERY cheesy... kinda gross (especially cause it tasted and looked microwaved... which suggestively is pretty common here to speed up service).
We walked back to the Hostel and TOTAL success on getting internet for my laptop. Yea for American keyboards! But I totally fell asleep in the middle of my blog (luckily it saved)... off to a museum today! Get back to you soon!