Upon waking up we were docked and in Livorno! After a quick breakfast, we were in the auditorium, ready for our tour number to be called so we could catch our bus. They'd informed us the bus would take a good two hours, but this was all pure poppycock, as we were there much sooner than that. Our tour guide walked us to the Duomo and let us lose. Before running towards freedom, I asked the tour guide where Sam and I might be able to find the Monastery. We were cautioned that it was a good 45 minute walk, but he drew its general whereabouts on the map anyway and with that we were off!
First stop? Sam's choice: GELATO! I was so nervous about trying to remember any of the Italian I learned my Freshman year living in the Italian dorm (all I could remember was “Mi piace il scoiatolo!” and I was pretty sure randomly screaming, “I love the squirrel!” was not going to get me anywhere...) that Sam ended up with the largest cone in the world for a mere 10 euro. >_< FAIL. He did love it though and it did succeed in getting him uber chocolatey. Hee hee.
After our gelato adventure, we explored the city a bit and then began our journey towards San Ninato Monastery. I went to Italy when I was 14 and Florence had been my most favorite city of the tour – still, I was surprised that on our walk to San Ninato, I began to recognize many, many things – and even found the hotel we'd stayed in! Our guide's directions weren't very concrete, but as I looked up the hill on the other side of the river, I remembered the general path and set forth in that direction. Sam took a few rest stops, but when he started to slow down on our journey up the hill, I reminded him that true Ninjas never got tired and that he better not be slowing down. He then challenged me to an uphill race and I lost miserably. Ha.
At the top of the huge hill we were greeted by many little touristy shop kiosks that were uber cheap as compared to the shops in the center of Firenze near the Duomo! Sam got a shirt that looked like DaVinci's sketch of man, but instead it was a sketch of Homer Simpson and I got a Universita Firenze hoodie (along with a few gifts for friends)!
A slushy and an ice cream cone later and we were finally at the Monastery, overlooking the entire city! *Breathtaking!* It was gorgeous, but quite as tranquil and deserted as I'd remembered. o_O Looks like I'll have to find a different place to call “My favorite place on earth.” I think my secret spot in Madrid might just be the winner. Hee hee... <3
Anyway, we went in the monastery but the monks were off duty and so no hauntingly beautiful Gregorian chants filled the walls as they had eight years ago when I visited. Instead, there were official looking people in suits, children dressed up and holding white roses and bunches of cameras crews. Sam guessed that it was some sort of funeral, but as we waited and watched, the Firenze Football Team bus pulled up and all of the soccer players got out and climbed the stairs to the Monastery!!
It was pretty darn sweet seeing the entire Firenze team dressed in their little purple uniforms walking right past us!! ^_^ Later, we found out that the team was up there to announce their official team for the year and had picked that spot to announce it, as it was one of the most gorgeous places in the whole city for a photo-op! SO worth the hike/climb!!!
On our way back to the bus we hit a leather market and the public bathrooms (which, thought they cost one euro, Sam remarked that they were “surprisingly clean!”). The ride back was spent snoozing, and by the time we were back to the ship, we were both uber happy to be back. Haha.
When we got to our hotel, Sam went over all the pics with Grandma while I showered. Sam got a room delivery pizza and parked in front of the TV while Grandma and I went out to eat at one of the fancy/included restaurants on board. YUMMY.
Upon returning to my room, I was left alone while G and S went off in search of a candy store. Well – not alone. “Captain Morgan,” the guy from India in charge of our section of rooms on the ship, was in our room to clean it for the night. Usually, the man is super sweet and friendly and helpful. He's all smiles and always telling you, “You're CRUSING – let me get that for you / grab that for you / do that for you.” It makes a girl feel like royalty – that's for sure. But tonight's tune was a wee bit different: Captain Morgan started to flirt with me. Ewwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww... Buzz kill on the whole “feeling like royalty” thing, guys. I swear – Hooters made me used to this whole thing, but for real. Like the guy said: I'M CRUSING. Sheesh. >_<
Upon G's return to the room, it was decided that it was casino night and we went and played a little blackjack for a good hour or so. :) Oh, blackjack! Yay!
I got pretty excited to go to my first Burlesque show after falling in love with “Burlesque” the movie, but these girls looked like they'd just learned their routine an hour or two before they went on stage. :-/ Makes me want to learn Burlesque... hmmm... maybe I'll add that to my list for this year off?
Tomorrow is Rome, followed by hoping for a place in the ship's version of “Dancing with the Stars” tomorrow night!! EEK! ^_^
XOXO
Jet-set Cupcake
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