day seventeen; july 10th
Explored my side of the river today, I walked away from the Ponte Vecchio along Borgo San Frediano until I reached the original entrance gates and wall of Florence at Porto san Frediano. I then walked towards the Arno and across Ponte Amerigo Vespucci. I’m not sure what they are called but it’s like what they use to hold water in dams and when it overflows the excess water flows over the wall…well they have one of those across the Arno! However half of it was not underwater and there were people sun-baking on it! But the smell, the smell was disgusting! Not sure the pros of what they were doing apart from inhaling a smell I would associate with rotting fish. Walked down the river towards the Duomo and went past many “posh” hotels. Did a bit of window shopping and saw Santa Maria Novella one of the more important churches in Florence. Had a nice lunch at a little restaurant - it was aimed at students so it was quite cheap which is always good! Walked around for the rest of the afternoon and then went back to my apartment. Serena came over and on her suggestion we went and got takeaway pizza (over it completely!) and watched a movie. Early to bed since tomorrow I will need all the energy I can muster!
