Happy September from Firenze!

Thursday, September 1, 2011 Bonjourno! This is now present time. I am currently sitting on a train from Venice to Firenze (Florence), and we should be arriving in an hour or so. Check out this morning from our hostel was at 10 AM, so we woke up at 9, packed, got ready, and stored our luggage with the hostel before seeking out food. Strangely, most places weren’t open…apparently 12 PM is when kitchens open. I think Italians just have coffee for breakfast, which I was down for, but I’m really the only coffee drinker on the trip. We walked down a few paths before finding a place that was reasonable and open. Laura and I got pizza for breakfast (I mean…why not??), Malvika got a panini, and Molly got an omelet. The ladies who owned the café were Chinese and adorable. I love globalization. Also, the café was right next to a waterway….perfect last Venetian meal!! Venice would have been a sight to behold back in the day when Casanova was around and the population sported elaborate, frilly dress. I know that the city is proud of that time and the romance of it, though, because mask and costume shops are easier to find than restaurants or toilets. After eating, we went back to the hostel, grabbed our stuff, got stuck in torrential downpour, and then headed to the train station. Now, I’m on the train. Italy definitely wins the award for nicest trains. I can’t wait to go to Florence and see el duomo and just behold it. Eeek!!! Next update will be from there.