Florence, Firenze, Florens

Well I think I have discovered my new favorite Italian city, Florence. In an effort to forget my terrible weekend prior, I escaped to Florence early Sat morning via the 1.5 hour train. There is a calmness in the city that is so much more enjoyable than the feel of Rome. As i walked to the first art muesum I found an open air market near Piazza S Lorenzo where people were selling leather, scarves, italia gear, and household goods. I wanted to peruse but i knew i would have wait so i hurried along. Just before 10a I arrived at the Galleria dell'Accademia and passed my 40 min wait by talking to Minnesotan law students. When i got inside, most of the artwork is from churches and convents. Paintings on wood or canvas with gold inlay were the general theme. But then as I entereda new room, I saw marble statues along the walls leading to the infamous David by Michaelangleo at the end of the corridor. He is BEAUTIFUL and HUGE (17 feet)! This piece of marble is really mesmorizing and NOT because its of a nude male but because of the detail Michaelangelo included. You can see veins sticking out of his hands and behind his knees and he seems alive. Michaelangelo is known to have said that he 'released' figures out if living stone. Also interesting about the David is that Michaelanglo made his head and hands proportionally bigger so that the viewer from below would perceive a normal body. This guy was talented.
After that I headed to the Duomo or cathedrale of Florence. This church reminds me of candy land for the outside is decorated in light green and pink stone. Nearby, there is an octangonal structure and a tall bell tower with similar decorations. The octogon is called the Battistero and is where supposedly Dante was christened. I went into the church for about an hour to rest and to pray. This church (until the ones in Rome) is simple on the inside and seems more for its original purpose. In the basement, there is an archeological dig going on which i didnt check out. The Duomo was really something though, I have really beautiful pictures to share.
More in pt II coming up!