Sunday morning, still sick, I got up. Why? I wanted to see enough of the city to get a taste of it so if by some chance I never make it back I'd be okay with it. Besides, right out of the shower, medicated, and caffeinated I had a good 2 hours in me before the second crash. Two hours is plenty of time to go exploring.
The destination? The Uffizi.
Bonus points if we got there before the lines. And we did. Yay for not making a reservation so we could walk right in! Of course when you're there you need to behave yourself even if there are floating cherub heads, creepy looking guys, and you run into one of your coworkers. But in all seriousness, Botticelli's The Birth of Venus was absoluetly beautiful and even if I wasn't needing a rest, I still would have sat in the room to watch it.
After making our way through the galleries, we met the rest of our group for some retail therapy and lunch. Then? Oh you better believe it was nap time! But this time? I managed to get up for dinner at a delightful little place with the most fabulous sage ravilolis. They really were fabulous, despite me only eating a few of them. I had to save room for "adult milk and cookies" and let me tell you, I'm sure glad I did! Hands down the best biscotti I've had here in Italy.
Monday, our last day, kicked off with trek back out to the Duomo. And then up 463 steps. I started off counting them, but Lori pointed out that they had already been counted so why count them? Just one of the many reasons I keep her around...even when I'm sick! Those stairs were sure steep! And spirally. And heart pumping...but all totally worth the early morning workout.
By the time we reached the base of the cupola, we were just below where the paintings started and the morning prayers and chants echoed upwards to our ears. It was truely an amazing experience and it took some time for us to peel ourselves away and press onward higher up. Within the next hundred steps, we could tell we were within the dome, as the steps became even steeper and now curved. All I know is, I'm thankful for those steep stairs in my house that keep me in continual training for these tower adventures I seem to always find for myself.
The view from the top was fabulous: the morning sun reflecting off the city, vendors slowing setting up shop, the sound that a city (no matter how large) has early in the morning. Although we weren't the only crazies waking up to get a head start on the touristy places, there were few others which made it even more enjoyable. The rails were clear to just lean over and take in the city.
All in all? Not a bad way to finish the trip! True the trip wasn't exactly was I though it would be, and I'm sure some of my memories are slightly skewed on account of my cold and cold meds but if I could enjoy the company and the location in um, less than ideal situation? I guess I'll just have to head back north one of these weekends and take in the rest of the city.
All in all? Not a bad way to finish the trip! True the trip wasn't exactly was I though it would be, and I'm sure some of my memories are slightly skewed on account of my cold and cold meds but if I could enjoy the company and the location in um, less than ideal situation? I guess I'll just have to head back north one of these weekends and take in the rest of the city.
