The top of the world

Well, we found that cache last night. It was great! To get there, we had to walk up a stairway (which was actually more of a steep road made of rocks) toward the Piazzle Michelangelo and the Basilica at San Miniato. The cache was hidden in a wall in a spot with a really nice view, but higher elevations beckoned. So, after dropping off a travel bug and signing the log, we continued up the road, which left us in a very nice (and obviously expensive) residential neighborhood. Farther up, we came to and crossed the viale Galileo Galilei (dodging speeding cars in both directions), and ended up at the stairs of the San Miniato al Monte. Ascending the stairs to the top, we were greeted with an unforgettable view of the city, just as the sun was setting. My only regret was leaving the camera back in the apartment (who knew where that road would lead?), but that just means that—oh darn—we’ll have to go again. The construction on this particular church began in 1018, and much of it was completed over the 12th and 13th centuries. A bell tower—constructed but never put to use as intended—was added in 1518 to replace an older one that collapsed in 1499.

After the hike, we walked back across the Arno to find a pay phone. A call to the back revealed that the problem wasn’t on their end—some ATMs just don’t process international transactions. So after trying a few more ATMs… success! Il molto bene!

This morning, I’m at the CAPA office checking e-mail and getting some work done on a couple of websites. A trip to the British Institute is on the agenda for later this afternoon, which will be great since it’s supposed to have very good research resources. Tonight, Vittoria and Laura will be leading a walk through the sculptures at Folon and the Forte Belvedere. The fortress was apparently designed in 1590 by Bernardo Buontalenti to guard the city from attacks by political rivals. Soon, it became a private refuge for the Medici grand dukes. Figures… seems like those aristocratic folks always spoil everything.

‘Till tomorrow…
-Leanne