SAMANTHA HORNYAK: We think it's day 6 today but we are not sure. I think that Ilast blogged on day 4. So a continuation of day 4. On our way to Florance we got to hit Piza. One word. Amazing. So hot but it was so cool to see the leaning tower in person. We also got to here the Echo in the Piza baptristy. So beautiful. We also got "attacked" by street venders( illegal by the way). They we selling sunglasses and "real" rolexes and Louis Vuitton purses. They were all very pushy and stubborn but they were really funny and nice. After Piza we drove to Florence. We hit a bus rest-stop. I was all "oh,no" but it was really nice inside. When we got into Florence we went to our hotel. It was really nice and better than the last one. But the mosquitoes are so bad because our window does not always close. And the power switches off at midnight every night apparently. But it is all good and a really good experience. After we unpacked, Mrs.Marvin had Jessica and I walk out to the street in front of the hotel and close our eyes. She walked us a few steps and then we could open our eyes. In front of us was the most magnificent building I have ever seen. It was so tall and intricate even on the outside. It was the Duomo. We went out to dinner at a really cool place. We had amazing handmade pizza. I will never eat American pizza again. Italian pizza has a really thin crust so it cooks in 30 seconds. It was so good. After dinner we were walking back to the hotel and some guy tried to sell us weed. Mrs. Marvin yelled at him. Really funny. Scary but funny. Day 5- we woke up early and went to a leather demonstration. It was short but interesting. They had a shop to but everything was crazy expensive. But the smell in there was amazing. Genuine leather smell. After that we took a walking tour of Florence. Pretty interesting. During free time we all went out to lunch at a little place off the main square. The food there was amazing. I had the best spaghetti in the world. It came out and I was a little skeptical at first because it looked like spaghetti and some ground meat on top. No sauce. But my first bite was amazing. The meat tasted like it was the sauce and it gushed tomatoe juice. Don't ask me how. But delicious. After lunch we went to the Uffizie( I think I spelled that wrong) it is the 2nd largest art collection. There were so many painting and sculptures. The guys weren'nt so interested so after a while they went back to the hotel and Jessica and I stayed. We had dinner and then the best gelato at a place called Grom (my second one that day). Then we went to an actual bar to watch the soccer match between Italy and Germany. It was actually very interesting( Italy won) at the bar Mrs. Marvin let us get drinks ( just Cokes, but did I scare you:). Day 6- we are now on our way to Rome. I am so excited. Tell you more later. I love you guys and will see you soon -Sammie
CONNOR SLOANE- So far this trip has been so much fun. We were just in Florence (Firenzé) and it was great. We found a great gelato place called Grom, which was sooo good. We also saw the Duomo, but didn't go in it. We went on a interesting guided tour of the city. We also went to the Uffizie museum. That is the Medici family's art collection. They had humdreds of sculptures and busts. They even had original Da Vinci and bochelli ( I'm not sure how to spell it). We also went to a leather demonstration. The guy didnt really show how the leather products are made, just how to tell real italian leather from the fake stuff from street vendors, who give good price. Last night we went to a bar and watched the Italy vs. Germany soccer match. The energy of at place when Italy scored was unreal. It was fun to see everyone go crazy once Italy won. Today is the 29th of June. On the 27th we went to Piza, it was cool because it was on the way to Florence from Venice so it wasn't even extra driving. We got to take pictures which I will show you of us holding up thhe leaning tower and we went in the chapel and baptistry. The baptistry was a huge echo room. One guy would sing and it sounded like a chorus of men singing. The hotel that we stayed at in Florence was a 5 star compared to the Hotel Venezia. This time we had air conditioning, an actual shower, a bathtub with jets, a TV, and even Wi-Fi that works. It was nice to sleep in a comfortable bed, not sharing with Drew like the hotel before. I am still tired every day though because we are up late every night and have to be up in the morning. I fell asleep at the bar on the couch last night, which was really noisy so I don't know how I did it. I can't fall asleep while on the bus though, but Drew has. I watch movies on my iPod and write this blog every time we are driving. Well I just read though the above and it will need some explaining when I'm home. See you the 3rd of July! Wow it's almost been a year of having braces. Time goes by fast. Tell Tango that I say hi. Mom- learn how to facetime, have dad show you how ok? Ok bye bye - Connor
HUNTER NORTMAN- I have had so much fun over the time of this vacation. I have made new friends and new experiences such as going to Florence and seeing the statues and art. At the hotel we go a lot of bugs bites because we left our window open on accident. We go good beds but Connor broke his on the second night. We also got a real shower not a build your own shower. We also got a bathtub with jets, and a kitchen. The food here was much better than the other hotel but we only ate breakfast there. At Florence we saw many statutes such as the David. I loved the gelato here, it was much better. I wish I could come back with Chase he would love the gelato but not the art, he might need to learn more about the art before he comes. I love you guys I can't wait to see you!!!!! P.S. a guy tried to sell us drugs.
DREW SLOANE- This vacation has been really amazing. There are so many things to see there is no way that in this amount of time we an truly see all Italy has to offer. I was petty surprised to find out we were going to Pisa, because previously I thought we weren't going. It was really cool there, and Connor and I took a picture of me pushing down the tower and him holding it up. There was also a huge chrurch and baptistry, with a mummified body on display in the church. All these African guys were selling cheap ray bans, purses, and watches. It was really fun bargaining with them, because they would surround us with all their stuff and try to sell to us. Connor and I got 2 pairs of these 'ray bans' from 25€ each to both for 15€. We did that for you, Grant. One thing I wish I have though are bug wipes, or some kind of repellent. There are so many mosquitos here, and I am getting chewed up. I think I have counted about 17 bites, all itchy, and there may be even more. Anyway, I'm also exhausted every day. I think I have adjusted to the time zone here, but I always sleep for most of the bus rides. The wake up calls are pretty early so we can make the most of the day. Maybe I'm still not caught up from all that studying I did for finals, staying up till 1 and all. Amazing trip though, Connor and I were able to FaceTime dad, which was pretty cool. We are on the bus for 6 hours today, from Florence to Assisi to Rome. So I'm looking forward to see everything else there is to see. Chao! Drew
JESSICA KEASBERRY- I've got about 10 mosqito bites, a sun burn on my back, and blistered and cut feet, but I'm not complaining. Right now we're traveling to Rome and looking forward to our next hotel (it has a pool!) Two days ago after arriving in Florence Mrs. Marvin had the idea if surprising Samantha and I with the view from our hotel. With our eyes closed, not knowing what to expect the result was a picture-perfect. The Duomo. The scene looked as it were a king and the dome was his crown, the entire majestic figure bearing down upon us, his commoners. Earlier that day we had stopped in Pisa, there we saw the leaning tower--you just have to wonder--HOW does that thing stand? Anyway after walking for a few hours in Florence we started to get a feel for the city and a feel for the burning sensation on the bottoms of our feet. By dinner we were pretty tired, which was proved when I kinda dozed off, prompting the waiter of our table to break into a verse of Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star in the effort to wake me up for the main course. After waking up, came a nighttime walk in the city with just our group. We were able to see Florence's bridges illuminated with lights with the river running under, a brick palace, and a guy who tried to sell us weed (we didn't buy any--just ran). We also even tried searching for the best Gelato in town (gelato everyday twice a day). After another night of mosquito bites we went to the leather store and then took a walking tour around the city. (the headsets gave us the "tourist" signature look) Later we went to the Uffizie, but there the guys weren't very interested-- their loss, because it was amazing-- paintings, sculptures, and even the architecture. (I will come back) Our group broke up and Sam and I took our time at the exhibits, the entire time my head= ooooooooohhh, ahhhhhhhhh, oooooooooo. Then we walked over to a crowded bar to watch the soccer game between Italy vs. Germany. I was actually exciting--Italians are LOUD. Mrs. Marvin cheered for Germany-- the Italians at the bar didn't really seem to like that. Italy won and just as one guy began roaring with pride and using an Italian flag as a cape, we left to another night of mosquito bites.
See you when I get back-- Jessica
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