Florence day 2

Go to the start of my trip here.

14th July 2012 ?23.50

We woke up early to try and beat the queues at the Uffizi. I only had a banana to eat and seemed to miss all supermarkets on the walk. The queue was long and they let 40 people in every 30 minutes. It went faster than I expected. In our last 80 minutes we got talking to a Mexican aunt and niece who were travelling around ?pe via car, as they explained the 40 people, 30 minute rule and I asked where they were from It was so interesting to hear about Mexico. The niece was getting married next year and the aunt's husband was a doctor, so interesting too. We also met two Glaswegians on entering. The Uffizi was ?5.50 with UK driving licence (because we were EU citizens between the age of 18-25)

The view from the south corridor is GORGEOUS. I was getting so hungry (one banana doesn't go far) and we had been on our feet for so long, so lunch was NEEDED. After a little hunt to find something GF, I found a little deli place where the man (?4) made me a rice dish with tomato sauce stuff, sundried tomatoes, courgettes and cheese. Was incredible - best thing I've eaten so far. We sat and rested for a bit. (I also bought two postcards (?2)).

Then we headed to Ponte Vecchio, the jewellery is so, so beautiful. It is a bridge lined with jewellery shops. If only you were rich! We decided ice cream called and found a place to sit inf for ?2.50. I had mint and caramel. As always, delicious. Then headed down past a palace, bought a diet Coke (oddly my first fizzy drink of the trip, ?r1.20). Found this vintage shop that Fiona fell in love with. There were lots of lovely things but none I could be bothered carrying home with me. We decided to return tomorrow.

We strolled slowly back to the hostel as it was around 4 pm and we were getting tired. We passed this handmade jewellery shop that I fell in love with. So many gorgeous earrings. I bidded also to return tomorrow. Had shower and nap then headed back to Eby's Bar at 7:30 ish. I had nachos, Sarah and fiona burritos - ironic, Spanish food in Italy. (?5) After we walked back to the Duomo, a woman was doing opera singing on the street. We listened and enjoyed. We got flyered for a bar selling three cocktails for ?10 and thought, why not have a gander. Enjoyed our drinks, tried to make chat with two Coventry boys who were dire chat and headed back. As always had great chat before bed about the oddest things.