Well today was our day trip to Pisa :)

We knew that Pisa wasn't going to take much time so we were not in a rush to get
out there super early. So we decided to sleep in :)

We finally headed to the train station around 11am and got on a train to Pisa
around 11:30am. It is only about an hour train ride and we got to use our rail
pass! They have been great... and I really hope that in the end we saved money
opting to do the pass versus individual tickets.

Anyways, we got to Pisa around 12:30pm and it was H-O-T! Everyone from the
hostel recommended just walking to the Leaning Tower versus taking the bus. So
Meredith and I decided to save the 2 Euros that we would spend on the bus, and
buy gelato for the walk there :) Which I think is an excellent decision :)

It definitely wasn't a very long walk, but we were both getting hungry for
lunch. We decided to stop and buy a slice of pizza at the vender outside the
square.

Side note: two days ago someone committed suicide by jumping off the Leaning
Tower... :(

Meredith and I walked around the square, saw the basilica and then the photo
shoot began. We of course had to take pictures holding the tower, pushing the
tower and even kicking the tower. Some things had definitely changed since I
had been there two years ago. Like all the lawns are fenced off, so you "have"
to stay on the paths. Which we didn't.... we couldn't get the right angles for
our pictures :)

We wanted a picture together so we asked two girls about our age to take it.
After we asked them we realized that they were also staying at our hostel! They
were both from Brazil and although they live 20 minutes away from each other in
Brazil just met that day! It was interesting and they were both very sweet.

We didn't stay too long at Pisa. It was scorching out! So we decided to get
slushies and walk back to the train station... It is so hot that things like
slushies and gelato are not treats but a means to stay alive!

We just headed back to the hostel after Pisa and got everything planned for
heading to Venice tomorrow :) We had to make reservations for the train, but
they were only about 10 Euro. So not bad at all.

Of course we were there at 6:30pm for meet & greet! But tonight was a
completely different dynamic. It was actually an older crowd and more couples
and more AMERICANS. Meredith and I are used to being the youngest people
traveling by now, but everyone tonight was about mid 20s and from California,
Arizona, Minnesota or Colorado. Meredith, Charles and I were the only people
who had been staying at the Academy.

We all enjoyed the free wine and pasta and then decided to go out together.
Romina made reservations for all of us at 9pm at the restaurant underneath her
apartment. I guess they are known for their Florentine steak (which you pay for
by the kilo) ... but I wasn't really interested in that.

I ordered four cheese gnocchi which was absolutely wonderful. But Meredith
ordered the steak and split it with some of the other people and she said it was
really good. I would say there was at least 12 of us form the hostel and it was
a really great time.

After we decided to get some gelato :) So we went to Romina's favorite place
which actually turned out to be the same place we went on our bike tour ... so I
decided to get the same Nutella & Yogurt and dark chocolate. It was delicious.
But let met tell you... that will be the last gelato I eat for some time. It was
finally the gelato that gelato'd me out. And I can honestly say I have NO desire
to eat gelato for some time.

After gelato we headed to a bar, which I just got a bottled water (and it was
free!) ... We all sat around and Romina told us funny stories about working in a
hostel. She is such a funny person!

Some of them were going to another bar, but Meredith and I decided to head back
to the hostel with some of the other people.

Tomorrow we are leaving for Venice :) Our train leaves at 11:30, so the plan is
to sleep in and then head out at 11am. I have really enjoyed Florence. Although
I feel I have seen every main attraction, I could stay here longer just because
of how awesome our hostel is! And the people and staff definitely make it that
way... so thanks to the Academy and everyone that stayed there! You guys made
it wonderful :)
-brooke.