(cont'd...) We did not make it to the Leaning Tower of Pisa (Torre); however, in Florence, we able to appreciate the breathtaking view from Michelangelo's plaza (Piazalle). All the while we thought the Pisa Tower was within the city of Florence, this wasn't the case, which we found out soon after we arrived here.

So after disembarking from Firenze Termini, we grabbed our lunch and attempted to buy bus ticket going to the tower, to Michelangelo's place, and to just explore other site-of-interests of Florence. The plan was to cover the three in a day and hit the way back to Milan for New Year.

It wasn't how it exactly happened. We went to a "bar" (this is what to us is a convenience store) to purchase bus tickets going to Pisa. Well, going there by bus would require more time than we thought, and the more practical choice had to be by train. After my time estimation, even train ride wouldn't still afford us to be back the same day to Milan as planned. That was the conclusion we came up with upon listening to the eager explanation delivered wonderfully in an Italian/English combination by the friendly store cashier. We ended up in our hands purchased bus ticket stub going to Michelangelo's place instead. Soon we were among some Japanese tourists and locals waiting for bus #10 (or #24) heading to the plaza.

Once passed the city proper, the road going up the plaza is winding and uphill.

Along this road is where some of the upscale villas are nestled. At first, there wasn't really striking about the plaza. The first thing I laid my eyes upon on was parking lot with several cars parked! Soon we left our bus and went further away from the stop. Aside from the Michelangelo's David standing at the centre of the plaza (probably Florence's tribute to its most famous citizen, Michelangelo, David's sculptor), its 180-degree view of the city was also breathtaking.

On the hill, all of us, tourists, were like kids let out from the classroom during recess, racing excitedly to the playground. Right away, we hurriedly looked for the best vantage point to take pictures right along the balusters that border around the plaza.

Eventually, we were out on our own and doing what a tourist should do: taking pictures.

The afternoon sun enhanced our sightseeing of the whole city of Florence. The blue sky descending to the Tuscan mountain outline from afar gave it the appearance of a picturesque postcard. It was also nice to see the whole city itself with all those terra cotta-clad houses spread throughout and around the noticeably massive Duomo. At the west (not sure if it's right), the spectacular architecture of Ponte Vecchio Bridge that rests lazily above the Arno River was a delight. Seeing this type of surrounding truthfully contrasts modern cities in North America; the surreal testament of the view seemed to allow me to relive and dwell temporarily in its ancient glory.

Lastly, the lonely replica made out of brass standing singularly atop the hill, is Michelangelo's David. Considered as one of the most famous masterpieces created in the Renaissance period. This is the largest replica of David I've seen. It was nice, but I did have a hard time taking good angle shots because of an unmindful individual sitting at the bottom of the statue.

Few store shacks added to the interest of the plaza, selling souvenirs tourists could have hard time resisting; we were one of them. I was able to practise my haggling skills though when I bought 22" x 34" painting reproductions of Michelangelo's "The Creation" and Botticelli's "The Birth of Venus" for five Euro each. The guy was initially trying to sell it for 30 Euro each!

The sun's dramatic afternoon descent coincided our leaving the hill. It was nice to think that although we missed the Leaning Tower of Pisa, our experience at Piazelle Michelangelo quite covered it. TO BE CONTINUED...