Via de' Macci 66

Despite the heat and tourist crowds we still manage to spend quite a bit of time walking about town, attempting to become familiar with the winding, bustling streets, and allowing ourselves to bump into the lesser-known historic buildings and sites. This is usually encouraged by some errand, such as having to go to some post office or the train station to collect application materials for Seth's permission to stay in the country past the three month traveler visa. We also spent an afternoon walking quite a ways out of the city in search for a massive home-goods/electronics store called Ganzaroli, and on Monday took our first bus up to the Villa I Tatti; most of the other I Tatti fellows will arrive next week or the week after, so it was good to be a little early and not be too overwhelmed by new faces and names.

A highlight from the past week was going to the Accademia--it is open for free Thursday nights from 7-10pm until mid-September. Normally, if you don't book reservations you have to stand in a very long queue to enter, but since it was late and not well publicized we got to stroll right in. It was amazing to see The Slaves and David with hardly anyone pushing in front of us! We will return tomorrow night to view the other works of art a little longer and to spend a little more time with David ;o)

Sunday morning we had our pick of fabulous and beautiful churches to go to, but poor timing and heat limited us to Santa Croce. We had already been to its Saturday night mass when we were here last year, after which we were given the 'after hours' tour by our Franciscan monk. This time we were not so lucky and we were quickly ushered out soon after the mass. So much for coffee hour! There is one Lutheran Church in all of Florence (I think there are only about 20 Lutheran Churches in all of Italy!), and I think it would be fun to try out that one next time.

Here are a few pictures from the past week

The view from our shady reading spot in the Loggia

Caution: Jesus crossing on Via del Pergatorio

Corner of the Palazzo Strozzi

Our first (and so far only) meal out

The way to I Tatti (you don't actually go through the gate--there is a road off to the right that leads up to it)

The Villa I Tatti (you can see their vineyards on the hill)

Gorganzola + fresh figs, ricotta + strawberry preserves, and susine (plums) = the breakfast of champions (there was also plain yogurt with honey involved). Having lots and lots of local 'artigionale' cheeses and gelato every day has caused our saturated fat intake to go from practically nothing to through the roof. Dr Hayes would say to balance this with fish and olive oil, I suppose. We are working on that.

Where we eat dinner every night: the steps of the 700 year old Sant'Ambrogio church. The perfect spot for people watching--NEVER a dull moment, although this was a particularly quiet time.

The view from our bedroom window (Seth took this picture)

Lorenzo enjoying the view of the market (actually taken from the bathroom window)