So there are about 50 tour people, ages 20’s and 30’s, staying at the hotel which is located conveniently close to the main train station, just a couple of block from the famous ‘Duomo’. As always with groups, we were rudely awakened this morning at 2:30am by slamming doors and screaming and laughing. Yep, it sure started our morning off real nice.Was able to sleep a little more then had some breakfast and spoke to the front desk. These travel agents are nice but when they see and hear them come in loud, drunk and obnoxious, then something should be said about a little respect for others.
Well, coffee helped quite a bit.
My assessment of Italy so far is still Go to Prague!
It would be perfectly wonderful, if not for the Italians.
Depressing and aggravating that the Italians have earned their profiled reputations. Thank God, the ex-pats who live here are nice and friendly.
I literally flipped off a guard who was so rude and arrogant, who was standing inside the front door of H&M of all places. Yeah dude, you have the dream job and your tiny bit of power has gone to your head. All because Han wanted to sit (out of the way mind you) on the stairs to give his knee some rest while I went shopping.
The guy was such an ass! I explained to him the situation about Han’s torn meniscus and he was even ruder, I told him he could have acted nicer and then he pissed me off so much by his nasty attitude, that I left and waved bye-bye with my middle finger. Yet it was okay for people to “stand” on the steps and smoke. WTH? I needed some dang shirts too, but definitely was not spending my money with them.
The money exchange here is a rip-off too. Apparently inside of the law they stole $237 out of the exchange for $1,000 into Euros, but that is Han’s story to tell. It is going to be a doozy because you’re caught between a intentional rock and a hard plate. I was a little concerned of the outcome if Han did not calm down and just leave, but I was miffed too by being raped by this particular exchange outfit, that is spread around Italy. They were purposely dishonest and would not give our money back, even though the transaction had not been completed. Han plans on writing a full on blog about this nasty episode exchange. Pun intended.
Okay the buildings are beautiful but honestly I have only been truly impressed by the Duomo Cathedral which had Disney World-style lines waiting to get in and a dress code that was strictly adhered to. You could have stood in line for an hour but no shorts above the knees, no sleeveless anything and no short dresses, defined if you could go inside. Hence we opted out because the line was about a two hour wait in the sun and then two guards are authorized to turn whoever they want away, so we did not want to chance that.
There are some other areas like the squares to visit, but fighting for a tiny bit of space due to an over abundance of tourists, is not an enjoyable experience.
We had one nice thing happen. I got in line for some gelato and a family just jumped in front of me. The lady behind the counter realized this and made them wait, then served us extra big portions. I thanked her then and again after we finished the delicious gelato cones.
We further walked the streets at a snails pace from square to square, as I am fairly sure every person on vacation to Italy is in Florence. The “what should have been” an exceptional bridge called Ponte Vecchio, was completely lined with jewelry stores on both sides. How many do you really need in one area? You could barely find a spot to take a photo due to all the stores and hawkers taking up the room with their junk.
Be warned, the vehicles do not stop, let me repeat, they DO NOT stop for anyone and will run you over with horns a blazing. So will the horse carriages. Dart out in traffic at your own risk.
So I usually add links to my stories, so you all can look it up and consider if you want to visit certain places. You will have to assess that yourselves. I do not feel like giving props to Florence.
I was so hopeful going to bed last night that I would simply love it and am pretty darn sad that coming to Italy was my idea and so far it has been a damn disappointment.
Florence is a wanna-be Paris, but is miserably failing. The prices are practically extortion.
Would I ever visit Italy again? Maybe, but only if I won some all-inclusive vacation trip.
Would I ever visit Italy again? Maybe, but only if I won some all-inclusive vacation trip.
I would never spend my own money here again.
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