Florence

Getting to Florence yesterday was a frustrating time. We left our hostel in nice to catch the 7:45am train to ventimiglia and made it there just fine. Then on our next train to Milan the conductor came around checking tickets and told us we had to have a reservation. This had happened to us on another train and we still don't understand that whole process. So we had to pay 8 euro each to be on that train. Meanwhile we had very annoying compartment mates who drove us crazy with their loud iPod music and cell phone conversations. In Milan we went to the ticket desk and waited in line forever to talk to a rude man who told us our next reservation price was going to be 20 euro each unless we wanted to wait 2 hours for another one with no charge. So we decided to wait which made us miss dinner with our friends in Florence. we also got off at the wrong Florence stop because the sign only showed one station in Florence and had to run to platform e to catch a train to the next station. Our 7 1/2 he train ride turned into 12 hrs of traveling but were here and our hostel is great! Today we saw the duomo which was huge! The David which was also huge and beautiful! And micaelangelos piazza with an awesome view of the city. At the open air market today we heard thunder and saw lightning then got poured on! Then as we ran to our hostel it started hailing! We were so drenched. So we changed our clothes and now were off to dinner and karaoke. :)