Second full day in Firenze... Today we spent most of the day walking through the hills across the river from the city along a path that Alessio suggested. The highlight of the walk was the San Miniato Al Monte Cathedral. It occupies a commanding position atop a hill with amazing views of the city. There's an old graveyeard outside and (dad you'll appreciate this) we took more than 80 pictures of the church and the tombstones in the graveyard. It seemed like a good idea at the time, but i'm not sure what we'll do with 80 graveyard pictures later (see the film strip above some pics from our walk. Just mouse over and click to see full size images).
We set up the tripod in one of the cathedral chapels and got some pretty cool shots of the nave. (to the right is a hand held digital version - the actual photographs will be much crisper) As we were setting up the camera the benedictine monks who operate the cathredral were singing chants from behind the chapel alter.
After our walk (which lasted about 4 hours) we returned to the hotel for a short nap, and then to a new internet café close to the hotel that Alessio and Asumi reccommended. It's much nicer than the place we were yesterday. Marble counters and plaster reliefs on the walls (Louis Armstrong is playing in the background). Drew if you're reading this - I know how you feel about real time answers to real time questions, and as I'm sure you're asking 'can i see a picture of this place?', I'll take one right now...
