ciao! we have so much to discuss with ya'll...ok here it is. We are going to jump back a week. Last thursday we traveled to Pisa for the day and saw the Field of Miracles which includes the leaning tower of pisa. it is very beautiful and the city is alot smaller than we thought it would be. the tower is also pretty short but not any less beautiful than we had hoped- we got lucky it was so sunny and nice (but unbelievably freezing!).  The cathedral, Santa Maria something about the assumption, was 1 of our favorites so far. It was incredible gothic style and the ceiling was made out of 24 karat gold and the medici's footed the bill for that sucker. A little caveat to fellow travelers: dont venture outside of the field walls because you will immediately find yourself in the ghetto... literally. People were selling 'authentic fake watches' and the cops even chased down some dude for selling gucci impersonations. Friday we embarked on a wine tasting in the countryside. The wine wasn't that great but there was beautiful scenery and the cellar was interesting (but again, freezing!). Our only bone to pick with firenze so far is the weather...mother nature needs to calm down with the raining and freezing cold temperatures- our texan bods aren't used to this, i think my toes might fall off at any minute. Friday night we went to a club called Maracana and danced the night away until 4 in the morning (impressive, huh?). Saturday consisted of shopping, pizza, and a visit to the San Lorenzo market where we bough leather jackets (sorry, dads). They are beautiful and worth the euros!! Saturday night we went out to Space- a club reminiscent of mexico at spring break. However, we found prime real estate on this pod thingy and danced our bottoms off (while swiping away greasy italian creepers left and right). Sunday we went to a soccer game that was fun but our team ending up tying. Monday night we went out to a club called YAB (not joking, the name stands for "you are beautiful"). We watched break dancing that looks like it should be on MTV. Tuesday we visited Piazzle de Michelangelo and saw beautiful views of the city from atop a hill. Then we visited a church called San Miniato (annie's favorite church EVER! Rachels faves are pisa and this church and santa croce). this church has graves but what was most fascinating was that we were the only people in the church. it was so unbelievably gorgeous and we had free reign to explore without any interruptions- it made for an amazing day. Everyone was just so peaceful and in awe after we left. Tuesday we climbed 463 steps to the top of the Duomo and rachel almost had a panic attack. it was hilarious to see her freak out when someone got to close to the edge haha- but she was a trooper and still got close enough to take pictures! yipee! The view was spectacular...florence is alot bigger than what we thought. then we went to the Santa Croce church and saw Michelangelo's, Dante's, Galileo's bods. well not exactly, but we saw their tombs. it was so weird to think that we were standing just a few feet away from such influential remains. that church was beautiful and it had a chapel where you could echo really well and we all sang row your boat haha. Today is wednesday and we just got back from the Uffizi gallery- ya know, just hanging with some paintings from Da Vinci, Rafaello, etc. Tonight we are heading to dinner at Ristorante del Fagioli and then Venice at 8 tomorrow morning to spend the weekend!! Rachel and I were talking today about how we really aren't homesick because we are constantly moving- there is no time to stop and dwell! but we love everyone and hope texas isn't too horrible without us. oh yea, rachel woke up with an eye infection..her eye is literally blood red. but no worries- she came prepared with eye drops and they are doing wonders! we both got cell phones also and we will post our numbers- we get free incoming calls so call us a bunch!  (it will cost you but we are worth it) Love you all- ciao!!!!!!