Best Tuscany experience in Florence

Only when I had my breakfast in the morning, I realized how nice the hostel is. The theme is definitely Tuscany, just like I imagine it from the movie.

With the rain and cold wind all throughout the day, it is a tough day for pilgrimage. This day, I was tested physically, mentally, and spiritually.

First stop, I went to see “Scoppio del Carro” that is celebrated once a year only in Florence. I was there squeezed among the crowds, and with my height limitation I can only see heads, cameras, and smoke. Thanks to you tube, I can watch the actual event clearly from other people’s video recording. According to Francesca (the lady who is supposed to be our walking tour guide), this festival originated way back in the 11th century and they preserved the tradition until this day. Francesca said it will be a pity to miss the event that is why we followed her from the hostel to the Cathedral. But at the end, I missed it anyway. And I also lost sight of our tour guide. There is something interesting though, it was raining but it stopped when they started the fireworks.  This may sounds strange to others but it is definitely some sort of miracle to the believers.

 

After the fireworks, I tried to stay and wait for the crowd to “dissolve”. But it was cold and I needed something hot. So, while the security guards were trying to clear the people and restore the plaza, I went to the nearest coffee shop for a cup of warm drink. Then, I went to a pizza fast food chain to grab a slice of pizza that is relatively huge in my opinion. After warming up my body with food energy, the Cathedral was still not available. So, I decided to leave and head off to another destination, and come back either later in the afternoon or come back the next day.

 

Along the way, I met a family of six members that I can easily spot as Filipino-Chinese, like me. For someone coming from Philippines, they must be really rich to afford such a luxurious trip. It felt good to see familiar faces and hear familiar conversation. They were doing some shopping and it is interesting to hear how they convert the prices from EURO to PESO, like I did on my first year in Germany.  Now, I am doing it the other way around.

 

Walking in the rain and in between cold wind, I visited Cappelle Medicee, Basilica di san Lorenzo, Palazzo Medici Ricciardi, San Marco Church, Santa maria del Fiore Cathedral, Orsanmichele church, Mercato del porcellino, Palazzo Vecchio, Loggia dell' Orcagna, Uffizi Gallary, Bargello, Dante's castle, S. Croce church, National library, Ponte Vecchio, Santa maria Novella church, Boboli garden.

 

To avoid the strong rain, I even went into the “GUCCI” museum which cost me 6 Euro. I regretted it because I am not actually interested in these branded stuffs.

 

The most amazing experience I had for the day was my trek up the hill to visit the church of San Miniato al Monte. Although it is not that difficult to trek up the hill, but the experience was so rewarding. The view from the top is breathtaking and is free. The church is said to symbolize the “gate to heaven”: “May we be strengthened by his presence in the hour of our Death”. The monks make famous liqueurs, honey and tisanes, which they sell from a shop next to the church.

 

On top of the hill, I heard the bell rung from the church and visualized the bell swinging back and forth… I hurried back down the hill. I went back to the Cathedral and I was just in time for the mass. In fairness, the church was packed with people.

 

After the mass, I was so hungry and was looking for a place where I can order decent pasta. But instead, I got distracted by the street market that is around San Lorenzo’s Basilica. They were selling mainly interesting leather products. I was too late because they were packing and preparing to close for the day. (P.S. I came back the next day and bought one of those leather cover for paper notebook. I just realized that I cannot simply write notebook like in the old days because this may also suggest computer notebook nowadays.)

 

I ended extremely hungry in a wine bar. I just thought that for a place like this, they definitely should offer good food that will enhance the taste of the wine, or vice versa. I ordered the most basic pasta, i.e. a plate of spaghetti with tomato and garlic. The pasta was delicious. Specially, I like the kick of spice coming from the garlic (I think). I also ordered a glass of Chanti wine, produce and famous in the Tuscany region. I was surprised by the taste of wine. It tasted like Shiraz but much more smoother and better. (P.S. I want to clarify that this is only my personal taste and opinion, and I am no expert of wine).

 

Thank you for a wonderful day.