We travelled to Florence by train for a change and when we got there we got attacked by the usual accomodation people. One particularly persistent fellow asked us 3 times. We went to the nearest hostel and it was full, but he knew a place. It was across town but still had space. We went there, it too was full. The guy asked us where we were from and then turned us away (I suspect it was because we picked up and Australian who looked like a skinny Tom Cruise) but the hostel owner also knew a place that still had space. It was across town but he was sure. We made him call and they gave us beds. The hostel was some guy's apartment that he had decorated with bunks and let people sleep in. There was 1 toilet and 1 shower and they were both in the same room, you can imagine the morning queues. The people were nice enough and we had a nice time.

   We saw a fancy bridge and Piazza (?) Michaelangelo and climbed to the top of the Duomo past the paintings on the ceiling.

Florence from Piazza Michael Angelo

   It was cool and we climbed 463 stairs to get the close up view of heaven and hell. This morning however we were trapped in the hostel because Stephano (flat owner) had taken people out last night (he does every night) and had 1 too many. We could not wake him up to check out. He even had his stereo taken by some guy and wasn't worried. So today we are running late but at the Tower of Pisa. It leans a lot.