Day 12- Firenze

Day 12- the last full day.

Tony headed out early from Impruneta to return the rental car. Final destination- Termini train station, Roma. In a move that saved a hundred bucks in transfer fees, Tony cruised down the traffic-less autostrada, driven by the desire to get back to meet his wife in downtown Firenze. All was well until he crossed the 'beltway' into Rome, and realized a couple things. 1) He hadn't paid that much attention when they left the city a few days back, except for a couple main street names, and 2) there were likely not huge signs saying "this way to Termini, Tony." Lesson learned. However, he aimed in what seemed to be the correct direction in the NE of Rome, and, just when he was a bit desperate, he asked a Smartcar driver at a light where Termini was. "Two blocks ahead on the right," he responded in English. How Tony made it to Termini in city traffic is unclear...but what a relief. A train soon departed for Firenze, taking him back to his wife for a final night in Italia.

Meanwhile, Emily (successfully) explored Florence by herself, using the Italian she had picked up along the way (and lots of English when necessary!). She saw the Accademia, home of The David and many unfinished Michelangelo sculptures. She journaled and people-watched while eating a truffle-pasta lunch (surprise) in Piazza Signoria. That day, she was a solo traveler across the ocean from home, boppin' around at her own pace, going where she was drawn, and it was exciting!

T+E met up at their hotel room and ventured out to explore the best that the Florence markets had to offer. After lots of bargaining (they were out of practice), they snagged some good deals and packed everything up for the trip home. And that brings us to dinner. For those who do not eat meat, you might wanna scroll past the following.

As a reward for surviving their honeymoon (their first rental car experience abroad, bus trips on the edge of cliffs, and many other adventures), Emily and Tony treated themselves to a quality pasta and steak meal at a small, jazz-themed restaurant. The food was great, but miscommunication abounded. You see, Florentine steak is famous for two reasons: 1) It tastes good and is quite plentiful, ranking up there with home-grown American beef, 2) Many a traveler has been mistaken by ordering 'bistecca' without specifying how much (it's priced by the weight, differing by each cut). Either they are surprised when the food comes or when the bill comes (or both). Now, Tony was aware of this, but in the moment of their last night on the honeymoon, we just up and ordered Bistecca Fiorentina. After the pasta dish, we actually considered canceling the 2nd course due to satiety, but we didn't want to be rude. Then, out came the cow...er, steak. How anyone (or 2 people in this case) could eat this plate of beef

 AFTER a plate of pasta is beyond me. The better question is "what was the waiter thinking when taking this order from two relatively petite people." Perhaps, "Americans...I've heard of their portion size and gluttonous ways." Or, "hehe, won't they be surprised!" Either way, the best way to visualize this scene is to look at the picture, and then think "Great Outdoors," specifically the scene where a 96 oz steak is eaten. This slab may have been about 1 kilo=2.2 pds=35.3 oz...or larger. Bottom line, when you want steak in Florence, order a Bistecchina ("little steak"), as several people sitting near us did subsequently :) Fear not enemies of waste. Leftovers went to a homeless-appearing man that evening, and to Tony's belly while in the airport line the following morning. Mmmm....breakfast. 

After retrieving more $ from a nearby ATM, we walked off part of our meal in romantic, moonlit, Florentine style [for the curious- 1 Bistecca Fiorentina ~50 euro. 2 portobello mushrooms casually offered by the restaurant owner and seriously overcooked rendering them unappealing to taste ~20 euro. Creating an absurd food experience on the last night of a wonderful honeymoon never to be forgotten ~priceless]. 

Highlights of the rest of the night include: live music/street performers on the Ponte Vecchio, taking in views of the River Arno together, and making out in public to live music on the Ponte Vecchio overlooking the River Arno. Gotta love romance.