Ben Murrell

Got up at 10 today, checked out of Florence Youth Hostel and into Plus Florence. Right now, my laundry is drying, then I’ll go hop on the internet and try to find a place to go after Florence. Options in Italy are Verona and Genoa, but I’m not sure. Then, I’ll check my bag in at Plus. I think I will rent a bike for the day and ride around, then go to the Dublin Pub tonight and meet John van Lieshout and the Venice girls. Tonight is the Barcelona/Manchester United soccer match and there is another pub that is supposed to be good for that. I will probably meet up with Rocky and go club if I don’t find [[Venice girls]] at Dublin Pub.

Also, I have a hell of a farmers tan.

Got into Plus, took a shower, then walked up to a big group and got the ball rolling to Kiesh (the place to be for the soccer match) to watch the match. Never saw Rocky there (he came later it turns out) [[I should have gotten a phone...]] but they had a buffet and drink for 8 euros so we did that. Drinks were 8 euros after that, so we came back to Plus Florence and watched the match there. Met a club promoter (Arienne from Quebec) in front of the hostel and convinced her to come in with us. She was hot. Watched the match then everyone bailed on her club for Central Park. I needed to get to Dublin Pub to meet John from Venice by 11, so I left the big group then. When I got there, Jena saw me and was like “BEN!” Jacque wasn’t there, but they kept telling me they were calling her to get her to come. I went in and met John, then we came out and sat with the girls and some Italians. Jacque showed up, we all hung out for a while, then wandered around some park by my hostel. May be going to Cinque Terre after Florence.

During the day, I went to a bike place and rented a bike for the day. I rode along the river and up to the Piazza san Michelangelo. Then I hiked up there and could see the whole city. It was a good view, but not quite Rome… Also, it was looking pretty stormy and I was at least a 30 minute bike ride from where I got the bike. Thankfully, it never rained! Then I rode back and called Garmin and home. Garmin let me push back my start date to June 29th! I’m here another month!