Day 30 - Rome / Florence (Italy) - The Tuscan Life

ROME WITHOUT THE BUSTLE. Getting off the train (which let me say is a peaceful, pleasurable experience, relatively cheap and easy to arrange - also go First class for just a touch more style and only a few euro more) at Fiorenza (Florence), we were kindly met by none other than Roger Featherston (the previous vicar from my Melbourne church of St Silas) and Hume McGrath (the organist from said church). The sun was shining, the streets were old, narrow and full of interest, and best of all we were only five minutes away from Roger and Fin's home where Fin was waiting with bowls of fresh soup, bread, cheese and a warm hug and smile! All in all a wonderful introduction to a wonderful place and great to catch up with friends. After our Tuscan (?) lunch and after collapsing briefly in our very own room (which was huge and overlooked a beautiful courtyard garden) it was off with Hume to explore this great city. So for several hours we just meandered down the river, checked out the pontevechio (excuse spelling, it is the bridge with buildings all over it selling silver craft), had a gellato, saw a bunch of churches, got lost, found some more churches, saw some more statues, saw a heap of illegal immigrants trying to make ends meet by selling "original" handbags, glasses and watches as well as paintings and dancing mickey mouses! All in all a wonderful time and a great introduction to Florence.
LESSON FOR THE DAY: Florence is like Rome without as much bustle.