Firenze

 We rolled in late afternoon and headed straight out into the skinny streets of Firenze for a feed. We decided on Za Za's, a cool restaurant that came recommended from the hostel host. Although I love my pasta, by this point of our Italian trip I was looking forward to some good meat dishes in the North. I got just what I was after this particular evening. Peposo is a rich casserole (yes mum) dish consisting of big chunky bits of beef stewed in a strong red wine, pepper sauce. One of my favourite dishes so far. The wild boar ragu Rhi had wasn't to shab either. The next day we were up early hitting up the main square and shopping streets. We wandered over the famous bridge full of jewellery shops and up to Michelangelo's piazza where we got the best view of the entire metro. We then made our way back into the city and joined the long line to see big Dave! There are many things in the world that in terms of size are exacerbated by television and photography which can leave you a little surprised when you visit them in the flesh.

 Michel's marble statue of David is one on the contrary. You walk into the museum and entertain the other areas such as the small but impressive musical instrument display but eventually cant resist and make your way around the corner. You look down the darkish long hallway to the big fella, lit with natural light from above. The things on display along that hallway must be some of the most wasted works in the world. They could lace the hallway with naked local lasses and you still wouldn't take your eyes of Dave. Bloody amazing! Ignore the two security peoples attempting to halt your camera antics and just slyly shot away. That night we discovered an awesome aperitif just metres away from our hostel. $10AUD will get you any drink (bottle of Bulmers cider please and of course a strawberry cocktail for Rhi) and access to a seriously extensive and good food buffet. Pasta, breads, dips, meats, chicken wings, salads, pizza fruit and on this particular dolce night, some sweet slices. Go back as many times as you can. We tried finding better versions of this Northern Italian tradition the next night but couldn't and returned to 'Kitsch' with its mouth watering food and cider accompanying its cool atmos! That brought our (first) visit to Firenze to an end. I will miss its swell small streets until the day I return. MAH