The Chef and the tourist (Florence and Pisa)

I fell in love with the Florinteen markets as soon as I walked in, the smells, variety and vibrancy of the place engulfed me. Fifteen types of mushrooms, countless cheeses, figs by the kilo, fish, meats, no end of exotic verity and quality around each corner. A beautiful bombardment of choices, I was like a kid in a candy shop. I had to really make and effort to try fight myself from buying five times the food I actually needed, like I need to fight myself from trying to depict it all in several paragraphs. I was extremely exited to be cooking again; also to try out a plan, to cut down on the cost of food by taking a small collection from a few others and cooking for three or four.

Pumpkin with identity issues (Florence Markets)

The first day in the kitchen I met a school teacher from Naples, that did not speak English, and I did not have the Italian vocabulary to understand him, but with a hand from google translator we were able to have a conversation. Over the next couple of days I went down to the river to watch the sunset. Three Romanians were drinking beer, and invited me over for a cup. They spoke as much English as I do Italian, slim to none. With a lot of sharaids and help from my phrase book, we had a grand old time. I came back to make a sketch of the sunset the next day.

A few of us met for drinks back at the hostel, then went to find a bar in Florence. Along the way we met two Irish girls, that had just arrived, my liver my liver gave a small cry for help when I heard the accent, before accepting its fate. Everywhere was closing as we got in, fortunately this time my fashion sense did not hinder entry, in another plain white Tee and jeans, I was told I was the most interesting, and least fashionable, which is still pretty good for the ego. After a couple of closing pubs we added a few Americans to our group. The only club we found open from there was the trannie bar. It had a good atmosphere music and beer, though no one was keen for trying there luck any more!

Alex ('Scivs') (Good Mate from Australia) message that he was in Pisa. I caught the bus in through the rolling fields and mountains of Tuscany, I can see why so many people romantacise about the natural beauty here, the whole way I was thinking I need to get myself a Motorbike and come back as soon as I can. We met up, walked to the Leaning tower. I admit, we did take the classic touristy shots of pushing the tower over, but well, something just have to be done. Alex got some classics photos of hoards of tourists taking photos, funny guy. I really enjoyed catching up with him after so long. Alex had to leave for his train, where as I stayed a bit longer to see the city from the top of the tower. The light had left by the time I had finished, I would of liked to of seen the gardens of Pisa, but that I guess I can ad to my long list of why I want to go back to Tuscany.

Sorry, had to be done.

I was talking to my friend later that night who was staying in Prague, and thought it was time that I hit the road again. The next day, Tony and I hired bikes and rode around Florence and back up to Leonardo's look out, to take some photo of the spectacular view. I returned to the hostel to collect my things and boarded my train to Venice.

Leonardo's look out.