Day 19: Shopping Break

Today we woke up super early (aka left our hostle at 8AM) to go to the Accademia Gallery before we left Florence! By the time we go there, it was about 8:10, and there was a pretty long line. However, it opened at 8:15 so we were hoping then the line would go fast. Unfortunately, it turns out they only let people in in groups every 10-15 min, so we ended up not getting in until 9AM. T__T We were worried about being able to get back to our hostel in time, but clearly there was no need, as the whole museum took us literally 45 minutes to see. Of course, everyone is there to see Michelangelo's David. It's displayed really well, and it's so monumental and impressive! But that's really all there is to see there haha. There are rooms with other sculptures from around Florence, and a bunch of biblical paintings, but it was pretty meh. So, we stood in line for an hour and paid 11 euros just to see David! (And no photos allowed inside :( )

Afterwards, we went back to the hostel and packed up. Then we stopped at Vestri, the first gelateria we went to, for our last gelato in Florence! I have to say, this place is still my favorite, just because of their Stracciatella! (I realized, it's more unique because it actually has chocolate covered nuts in it, rather than just plain chocolate) I decided to splurge and get a waffle cone too! Yummmm

Fave combo: Nocciola (hazelnut) & Stracciatella (chocolate chip)!

We then walked to the train station, making a stop at Santa Maria Novella right beforehand, so Stephanie could visit it. I'm not real big on churches and didn't want to pay the entrance fee, so I just waited for her outside haha. While I was sitting outside, an Italian family also sat near me to have a picnic lunch, and their baby daughter was pretty mischievous. They were eating salami with bread, and she literally just took her piece of salami and threw it on the floor!

We got to the station right in time to board our train to Rome! It was pretty full, but we were able to fit all our luggage. And then I pretty much napped the whole 1.5-hour ride. Once we arrived, it was just a short walk to our hostel! This hostel was definitely not as nice as the one in Florence >.< (Although it's cheaper, and I think Rome is a more expensive city for housing) But at least the wifi reaches our room! Yess I have regular access to internet again! ^__^

Stephanie and I decided to take a break from sightseeing to go shopping this afternoon! We walked down the Via del Corso, and I bought a ring and a scarf, while she bought a maxi skirt! We also stopped by Giolitti, a famous gelateria that serves 70 different flavors!! It was kind of a madhouse inside, so we decided to just sit down and order in at the tables (it's more expensive, but we were tired of walking and didn't want to push through the crowds waiting at the counter). We got a large sundae with 4 flavors: dark chocolate, dark cherry, blackberry, and watermelon! It wasn't amazing, but it was fun to try the different flavors! Kind of reminds me of Fenton's!

There's a music festival going on this weekend, with live bands performing! (At Piazza del Popolo)

Our giant sundae! Cost 9 euros :(

For dinner, the restaurant we tried going to was actually closed today (there were a lot closed today for some reason) so instead we went to a place next door called da Robertino. Here I was finally able to try Italian bruschetta and lasagna! Both were delicious, and we were super full afterwards! Then we just walked back to our hostel, and are trying to sleep early again tonight so we can try to go to the Vatican Museum super early tomorrow. (It's free on the last Sunday of the month, so there will be TONS of people there.... >.<)