Thursday July 2nd: First stressful event. After class, we went to Termini Station to catch our 6 PM train to La Spezia. After reading numerous signs, asking various people, and checking multiple platforms, we realize our train was cancelled. Bummer. They eventually sent another train, which we got on, but the train didn't go all the way to La Spezia because of some kind of accident. It went to a city called Livorno. After getting off in Livorno, it was another 2 hour bus ride to La Spezia so we finally arrived at midnight. At this point, we couldn't get our shuttle to our 'campsite' for the night, so we had to search for a random hotel in La Spezia. It turned out fine, the manager of this particular hotel was very nice and we were able to stay there. So we were finally headed to bed after a long day of traveling in order to prepare for our next day early wake up. :)
Friday July 3rd: We woke up really early to catch the first train out from La Spezia to Vernazza (one of the 5 fishing villages of Cinque Terre). Once in Vernazza, we began our estimaed 2 hour hike from Vernazza to Monterosso. It was absolutely gorgeous to see Cinque Terre - it was so natural and beautiful and I was so glad we got to hike at the National Park. It was the most stairs I have ever and probably will ever walk up (or so I thought). It was pretty hard at first, with all the stairs, but then the trail finally hit its peak and it was smooth sailing from there.
Here is a picture of Vernazza - isn't it beautiful!? I have a lot of pictures (obviously) but nothing really can show how clear the water is or just how cute the village is. It was really cool to hike and I probably would have hiked more but the heat was killer and after baking in the sun at the beach, my body definitely would not have made it. I would love to come back to the coast and stay here longer than one day (maybe see all 5 villages!), but it was super relaxing and an amazing site to see. Here is a picture of me on the hike, all sweaty and disgusting, 
but I'm in Cinque Terre so it's OK!We got on our train to Florence and thought everything was running according to plan. However, to our surprise, when we got to the hotel we booked online there was a sign on the door saying it was not in operation. Second stressful event, but to spare you all the creepy long story, here is the short version. A man told us he had arranged us a new hotel to stay in. We got there and it was a hostel, with not enough rooms for all of us to stay and in a very shady area of town. We were totally uncomfortable and obviously not paying for anything less than what we originally planned, so we walked around until midnight to find a new hotel to stay at. We sent a nasty e-mail to Hostel Bookers for still allowing individuals to make reservations at a non-operating hotel, so we are getting our money back which is good. But, after that we were all exhausted and sacrificed a night out to get some sleep for tomorrow's fully packed day of sight seeing.
Saturday July 4th: We had a reservation at the Uffizi Gallery at 8:45 AM. I wish I knew much more about art and art history before going to the museum, but regardless, it was very cool to see as it holds much of the major works of art of famous Italian artists. My favorite room was the Botticelli section, especially the Birth of Venus painting. After the gallery, we went to see the Duomo and decided it was well worth the 8 euro to climb to the top! I can't decide which had more stairs: the hike in Cinque Terre or the Duomo. The Duomo has 463 stairs with no lift and the staircase is super narrow, claustrophobic, and dark. However, the view from the top is definitely well worth the sweat! Here is a picture of the Duomo and a picture of me at the top!
You can see all of Florence from the top; it is spectacular!We walked around the markets in San Lorenzo and Ponte Vecchio; the leather in Florence is all over and very nice quality! After some browsing, we went to the Academia Gallery to see Michelangelo's famous David. I was rebellious and snuck some pictures of it, even though you're not supposed to. It is amazing how it is so deatiled and realistic: I feel like Italian artists were so talented then and no artists now even compare! (This goes for statues and paintings in the Uffizi). It is just mind boggling how these artists can paint such realistic and huge pieces of art or even sculpt something like the David out of a block of marble. Crazy!!
We went out for a nice dinner right along the river called the Golden View. I had a delicious meal: crostini with pomodoro e mozzarella and a tagliolini pasta con zucchero e pomodoro. :) Afterwards we had to go out for the night in Florence and celebrate the Fourth of July! It was definitely a fun night except I was thinking a lot about true American food on the 4th and watching fire works. But as much as I missed it, undoubtedly, being in Florence tops it.
Sunday July 5th: After checking out of our hotel, we went to the train station to make a quick visit to Pisa to see the leaning tower. We were honestly in Pisa for an hour and a half, but it was worth it to see the Tower with my own eyes! It was so cool! I obviously attempted to take cool pictures with the tower, although I'm not sure mine really turned out that great.
I also have been attempting to increase my photography skills so starting in Florence, I took some black and white pictures which I think will eventually be printed and hung up in my apartment next year. :) Here is a picture of the Tower! 
Although a rushed and crazy weekend, with only one day in each city, it was a weekend trip I will never forget! I absolutely adored Florence and am for sure going to have to come back there some day. It is much smaller than Rome but the feel of the city is much calmer and less touristy, which I liked. I could definitely see why people choose to live there. I loved it!!
I definitely need to get some rest tonight and catch up majorly on sleep. My Italian midterm is tomorrow morning and I still haven't really studied, but I think I should be OK for that. Sorry this post is so long but I just did so much and this doesn't even do the weekend justice! I hope every one had a great 4th of July! Buona Notte!
Sounds like the best weekend ever! I do especially like the pic of you holding up the tower
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