Friday: Hey, David. It was pouring when we woke up. It was pouring after breakfast. It was pouring when we walked outside. So although I brought along an umbrella, Jay bought one for 3 Euro in front of the train station. We retraced some of last night's walk and found the line at the Galleria Dell'Accademia. We didn't leave our names as graffiti while waiting although years of people had. It wasn't long before we paid 10 Euro to enter. Our 2008 guidebook had said it was 6.50. I wouldn't have missed it for anything. I sneaked several pictures that'll be on Flickr even though it was not allowed. I think the restriction is just for silly people who do not have camera on which the flash can be controlled. It was tricky hiding Jay, so he could get a few seconds of video.
After we walked around more of the city. By the time we'd crossed the Ponta Veccio, it was time for lunch. We ate an Italian 'tourist special' near the bridge which was actually Pakistani/Indian/Mediterranean.
After going back to the hotel and having a nap, the sun had come out again. We walked around more. Eventually towards 7:00 we came back to the hotel area. We bought dinner at a supermarket deli where an Italian guy made sandwiches for us. I drank the bottle of wine that was in the Rome hostel and which I'd put in the luggage.
We heard about six of nine labour unions which have not agreed to Alitalia's bailout. Now we're hoping that the airline will still be solvant enough to have our Rome to LA flight operating on October 5th.
Tomorrow, we plan to go to Pisa for a day trip.