Wheels up!

And we're off!  The flights from Denver to IAD (Washington-Dulles), and from IAD to Rome-Fiumicino airport went very smoothly.  After a night of following the full moon's reflections on the ocean, we were treated to the stunning sight of the Alps at sunup.  The van ride from the Fiumicino airport to the Rome Termini train station was a bit like "Mr. Toad's Wild Ride" from The Wind in the Willows, but we survived.  However, for anyone unfamiliar with the Rome Termini train station, the anxiety of not knowing which track one's train would depart from was unsettling.  With only five minutes before departure time, the binario (track) number was finally posted on the board, giving us little time to drag our bags to the correct binario.  We were aided by some helpful locals, who herded us through the crowds to Bin 7, and then held out their hands for a tip.  Whoa, they wanted five euro each, and we had no time to haggle, but forked over the money we had and climbed aboard feeling the sting.  Lesson learned: help from a stranger in a great transportation hub is not freely (or cheaply) offered. 
The train ride to Florence was pleasant, with the views of the Tuscan agriculture of grape and olive and wheat and corn punctuated by numerous tunnels through the Apennines.  Our residence hotel on the south side of the Arno near the Santo Spirito church (see photo) in Florence is quite charming, with a roof-top terrace, kitchen, and air-conditioned bedrooms.  Not having had much sleep during the night flight we had just about enough energy to find a local market for supplies, and go out for a nice dinner.
Tomorrow morning we plan to visit Santa Croce, the beautiful Renaissance church that holds memorials to some of the most important figures of Italian history.  In the afternoon, I'd like to visit the Palazzo Vecchio, touring the ornately decorated interior rooms, and climb the tower.  We'll see what, in fact, transpires!