Day 4 - Santa Croce, Free Time and a Storm
Today was a sleep-in day. We didn’t start until 9:00 AM.
We walked over to Santa Croce for Mass. Santa Croce is a beautiful church with many great Florentines buried inside. Michelangelo, Galileo, Machiavelli, even Rossini -the composer who wrote the William Tell Overture. You may know it as the theme to the Lone Ranger.
The church was founded by Saint Francis and considered much to opulant for a Franciscan church, an orderer founded on Evangelic poverty. A funny story recalls how a friar had a dream that the Friar General of the church was placed into Purgatory to be continually struck in the head by not one, but two hammers, until the last day. The church was not very well received, even by those living there. But, I love it. And it’s a great place for Mass.
After Mass I led the group on a tour of the church. Then it was off to Vivoli’s. Some consider it to be the world’s best gelato. I used to feel the same way. I think it’s also the world’s most expensive, but I could be wrong. I convinced a few to try the pisatcio and riso (rice). Most really liked the flavors they picked out. Our seminarian, Josh Allen, disagreed that it was the best. But, everyone has their favorite.
From here, we split up. Some went shopping with Josh. A few went to the Boboli Gardens. I had lunch with Father Richard and my family.
Father Augustine came up from Rome to visit and have lunch with my parents. Really, Father, can’t you just drive 45 minutes to their house? Must you travel over seas to see them?
I was not able to join them for lunch as I had to do laundry. Usually I use the sink, but since my daughter had gotten sick on me, I decided to use the laundromat. Plus, plus they had free wi-fi so I could catch up on my blogging. I didn’t. I’m still behind. But, I got a little done.
Since the laundromat was near the hotel, I was able to see people from the group pass by and get updates on their day. Most seemed to really enjoy Florence. Lori even climbed the dome. Jena, Sam, Catie and Becky came by and asked if they had time to visit the Duomo Museum before we met up. Jena really wanted to know if it would be worth it with the time they had, about 30 minutes. I pulled up Michelangelo’s Pieta and showed her the picture. She decided it was well worth it to visit. And I agree. I love the museum. It’s always empty when I visit. And by empty, I mean empty. I once sat inches away from Michelangelo’s Pieta for 30 minutes without seeing one person. With that, the original doors from the Baptistry, the Madonna with Glass Eyes, and Donatello’s Mary Magdalene, I don’t know why this place isn’t more popular. I guess I can’t complain too much, I didn’t include it in the tour. But, it was on the top of my recommended things to do in Florence that I went over with the group.
We met at the entrance to the Duomo. Our guide, Simone, took us thought the church, then into the streets of Florence, and finally into the Uffizi Gallery. He told me a little tourism gossip. It’s dropping big time. He has every third day off. That’s never happened and it’s unheard of to have off days in June. Reservation prices are going up to €5 next year. That’s just to make a museum reservation. Also that Rick Steves has a lot of cancellations from September on, because of the Euro.
I model some of my policies off of Rick Steves. For his tours, and mine, once you pay a deposit, your price will not change, even if the Euro goes up. I cannot stand nickel and dimers. Tour groups that advertise one price, but in the small print, do not include tips or drinks or most tours... I also think it’s bad to tell someone just days before departure that they are now going to have to pay $60 more because of the Euro. Especially if they are not going to give you $60 if the Euro drops!
It’s never been a big deal. The Euro has gone up between the planning stage to the departure date on all my trips. But, it’s always been a few cents. I figure, if I can’t afford to lose a few pennies per person, then I’m probably not making enough money. But, with this and my last trip, there was a .40 increase in the price of the Euro. So, instead of 1 Euro costing my $1.20, it now costs me $1.60. I’ll let you do the math to see the price jump of a €100 room. Or a €30 meal. It’s not pretty.
But, anyway, apparently Rick Steves decided to make the price adjustments from September on, and many people dropped out.
And now, with the dollar dropping so rapidly, I think I’m am going to have to change my policy. But, I want it to be fair to both me and the customer. So, I’m trying to work out a percentage. If the dollar drops this much, you must pay the difference, if it goes up this much, I’ll give you the money back. That way I can avoid sending people a bill for $10 the day before a trip. And if the dollar does rebound, people will get some money back, since it would just all be extra profit for me. Seem fair?
Back to the tour...
Josh, the seminarian, decided to skip the museum. So, one of our teens, Ryan, decided to join him. I was not happy. I know museums can be overwhelming for some and even boring. But, this is one of the top museums in the world. Michelangelo, Leonardo, Botticelli, Carravaggio. I even jokingly fussed at Ryan’s mother for letting him skip it. Oh well.
Simone, the guide, is great, but he can be very thorough. Which is great for art scholars, but a bit much for the typical tourist. So, we had a few drop outs during the tour. They decided to go through on their own. That, I’m okay with. At least they saw the great works.
After the tour a really bad thunderstorm came. Lots of rain and lightening. And this was our free evening.
I was taking my parents and aunt to Golden View. Jena and her family joined us as well. It was pizza time! All ten of us got pizza. Amelia tasted champagne. Just a lick. She hated it. I love how people never believe me when I say that in Italy one person can eat an entire pizza, and then they clean their plate. It happened here too. We shared a wonderful sunset from the restaurant with the Ponte Vecchio right beside us. Then it was time for gelato.
Earlier we passed my favorite gelato shop, GROM. I found them in Padova just last month. It was the best ever. I didn’t realize it was a chain.
Again I was not disappointed. My father tried licorice, which I’ve never seen. And it was yummy.
Amelia did great today. She took her medicine. She said she did not hurt so bad. She took her cold medicine. She walked a lot without complaining. She drank lots of water. She loves Italian water. She just doesn’t like American water. Crazy kid.
She stayed up until about 1:00 AM. I can’t wait to see what happens to her sleep schedule when we get home.
In the museum she was interested in the art for about 20 minutes. The she found enjoyment in walking on the heating grates in the floor. I gave her my own tour of the museum. There was a painting of Jesus and Mary (she can always pick them out in art) and Peter and Paul. I showed her Peter’s keys one time and she found Peter in all the other paintings. I told her the story of Paul and why he was holding a sword. It was used to chop off his head. I told her it bounced three times and water sprung up each time it hit the ground. She loved the story, but couldn’t figure out why he would chop off his own head. I tried to explain, but she didn’t get it. He was the one holding the sword. And why was his head still attached? Kids.
Her favorite part of today, the gelato and Fake David’s butt.
We walked over to Santa Croce for Mass. Santa Croce is a beautiful church with many great Florentines buried inside. Michelangelo, Galileo, Machiavelli, even Rossini -the composer who wrote the William Tell Overture. You may know it as the theme to the Lone Ranger.
The church was founded by Saint Francis and considered much to opulant for a Franciscan church, an orderer founded on Evangelic poverty. A funny story recalls how a friar had a dream that the Friar General of the church was placed into Purgatory to be continually struck in the head by not one, but two hammers, until the last day. The church was not very well received, even by those living there. But, I love it. And it’s a great place for Mass.
After Mass I led the group on a tour of the church. Then it was off to Vivoli’s. Some consider it to be the world’s best gelato. I used to feel the same way. I think it’s also the world’s most expensive, but I could be wrong. I convinced a few to try the pisatcio and riso (rice). Most really liked the flavors they picked out. Our seminarian, Josh Allen, disagreed that it was the best. But, everyone has their favorite.
From here, we split up. Some went shopping with Josh. A few went to the Boboli Gardens. I had lunch with Father Richard and my family.
Father Augustine came up from Rome to visit and have lunch with my parents. Really, Father, can’t you just drive 45 minutes to their house? Must you travel over seas to see them?
I was not able to join them for lunch as I had to do laundry. Usually I use the sink, but since my daughter had gotten sick on me, I decided to use the laundromat. Plus, plus they had free wi-fi so I could catch up on my blogging. I didn’t. I’m still behind. But, I got a little done.
Since the laundromat was near the hotel, I was able to see people from the group pass by and get updates on their day. Most seemed to really enjoy Florence. Lori even climbed the dome. Jena, Sam, Catie and Becky came by and asked if they had time to visit the Duomo Museum before we met up. Jena really wanted to know if it would be worth it with the time they had, about 30 minutes. I pulled up Michelangelo’s Pieta and showed her the picture. She decided it was well worth it to visit. And I agree. I love the museum. It’s always empty when I visit. And by empty, I mean empty. I once sat inches away from Michelangelo’s Pieta for 30 minutes without seeing one person. With that, the original doors from the Baptistry, the Madonna with Glass Eyes, and Donatello’s Mary Magdalene, I don’t know why this place isn’t more popular. I guess I can’t complain too much, I didn’t include it in the tour. But, it was on the top of my recommended things to do in Florence that I went over with the group.
We met at the entrance to the Duomo. Our guide, Simone, took us thought the church, then into the streets of Florence, and finally into the Uffizi Gallery. He told me a little tourism gossip. It’s dropping big time. He has every third day off. That’s never happened and it’s unheard of to have off days in June. Reservation prices are going up to €5 next year. That’s just to make a museum reservation. Also that Rick Steves has a lot of cancellations from September on, because of the Euro.
I model some of my policies off of Rick Steves. For his tours, and mine, once you pay a deposit, your price will not change, even if the Euro goes up. I cannot stand nickel and dimers. Tour groups that advertise one price, but in the small print, do not include tips or drinks or most tours... I also think it’s bad to tell someone just days before departure that they are now going to have to pay $60 more because of the Euro. Especially if they are not going to give you $60 if the Euro drops!
It’s never been a big deal. The Euro has gone up between the planning stage to the departure date on all my trips. But, it’s always been a few cents. I figure, if I can’t afford to lose a few pennies per person, then I’m probably not making enough money. But, with this and my last trip, there was a .40 increase in the price of the Euro. So, instead of 1 Euro costing my $1.20, it now costs me $1.60. I’ll let you do the math to see the price jump of a €100 room. Or a €30 meal. It’s not pretty.
But, anyway, apparently Rick Steves decided to make the price adjustments from September on, and many people dropped out.
And now, with the dollar dropping so rapidly, I think I’m am going to have to change my policy. But, I want it to be fair to both me and the customer. So, I’m trying to work out a percentage. If the dollar drops this much, you must pay the difference, if it goes up this much, I’ll give you the money back. That way I can avoid sending people a bill for $10 the day before a trip. And if the dollar does rebound, people will get some money back, since it would just all be extra profit for me. Seem fair?
Back to the tour...
Josh, the seminarian, decided to skip the museum. So, one of our teens, Ryan, decided to join him. I was not happy. I know museums can be overwhelming for some and even boring. But, this is one of the top museums in the world. Michelangelo, Leonardo, Botticelli, Carravaggio. I even jokingly fussed at Ryan’s mother for letting him skip it. Oh well.
Simone, the guide, is great, but he can be very thorough. Which is great for art scholars, but a bit much for the typical tourist. So, we had a few drop outs during the tour. They decided to go through on their own. That, I’m okay with. At least they saw the great works.
After the tour a really bad thunderstorm came. Lots of rain and lightening. And this was our free evening.
I was taking my parents and aunt to Golden View. Jena and her family joined us as well. It was pizza time! All ten of us got pizza. Amelia tasted champagne. Just a lick. She hated it. I love how people never believe me when I say that in Italy one person can eat an entire pizza, and then they clean their plate. It happened here too. We shared a wonderful sunset from the restaurant with the Ponte Vecchio right beside us. Then it was time for gelato.
Earlier we passed my favorite gelato shop, GROM. I found them in Padova just last month. It was the best ever. I didn’t realize it was a chain.
Again I was not disappointed. My father tried licorice, which I’ve never seen. And it was yummy.
Amelia did great today. She took her medicine. She said she did not hurt so bad. She took her cold medicine. She walked a lot without complaining. She drank lots of water. She loves Italian water. She just doesn’t like American water. Crazy kid.
She stayed up until about 1:00 AM. I can’t wait to see what happens to her sleep schedule when we get home.
In the museum she was interested in the art for about 20 minutes. The she found enjoyment in walking on the heating grates in the floor. I gave her my own tour of the museum. There was a painting of Jesus and Mary (she can always pick them out in art) and Peter and Paul. I showed her Peter’s keys one time and she found Peter in all the other paintings. I told her the story of Paul and why he was holding a sword. It was used to chop off his head. I told her it bounced three times and water sprung up each time it hit the ground. She loved the story, but couldn’t figure out why he would chop off his own head. I tried to explain, but she didn’t get it. He was the one holding the sword. And why was his head still attached? Kids.
Her favorite part of today, the gelato and Fake David’s butt.
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