Since I was a teenager, I have dreamed of visiting Florence to see the art of the masters.  On Day 352, my wish was granted.  My cousins and I visited the Uffizi Gallery and the Galleria dell'Accademia, home to Michelangelo's David.

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Don't get too excited. This is Fake David from the Piazza della Signoria. He looks just like Real David though.

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Visitors are forbidden to take photos of the real David.  Although that didn't stop several ballsy New Yorkers who played dumb.  Oy vay.

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<span style="color: #800080; font-size: medium;"><strong>Soul-Scinitallating Bonus of the Day:</strong>  </span>Romance abounds in Florence.  One of the most poignant moments that I witnessed was on the <strong><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ponte_Vecchio">Ponte Vecchio</a> </strong>at sunset.  A middle-aged couple watched the sunset from the bridge.  During their short stay, the man continuously caressed the woman's back with pure tenderness in his touch.  I was completely and utterly entranced by their moment.  Until a couple of obnoxious tourists barged into the scene like 4 bulls in a china shop.  I wondered if they were from New York.

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<a href="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/P9130135.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-7664" title="OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA" src="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/P9130135-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a><a href="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/P91301363.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-7666" title="OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA" src="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/P91301363-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a>

Left:  Ponte Vecchio, Firenze

Right:  Me and Mia Cugina on the Ponte Vecchio

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At dinner that evening, I noticed this sweet phenomenon over and over again.  While making my rounds of the stage-worthy street performers strewn across the Piazza della Repubblica, I observed couples my parents age and older dressed up for dinner and strolling through the Piazza.  Every time, the man had his arm around the woman.  Every time, these men exuded unconditional love and devotion.

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Sigh . . . .

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I didn't snap photos of the lovers.  That would have been creepy.

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However, I did catch one of the stage-worthy street performers on video with my camera.  Key word:  camera.  I apologize for the sound distortion.  But hey -- if they sound this good with a crap recording device, can you imagine how they sounded live?!?!
<iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/W2xhZHK4Gn0" frameborder="0" width="420" height="315"></iframe>