Forgot to mention yesterday that the kids, sans Neil played soccer in the square at Santa Croce with some random kid. It was perfect.
To continue the soccer theme - today we went to Viola Park, the training grounds for ACF Fiorentina. Two of the teachers in our school have an uncle who was the President of the club for a number of years. They had gone bankrupt at some point and then made a comeback - not to the status that they once had but they are on their way. They know that I am a huge football fan so they offered to set us up with a tour - of course, I said yes - and this morning we were off. They suggested that we take an Uber directly there - if you know Jess - well, that's too much, so we took the bus which wasn't a bad ride.
When we get there driver wanted to drop us off in one spot so that we could walk right there - Jess wanted a different spot which her research said had a place for us to grab some breakfast before heading over. We get off the bus and Isla has to "poop and pee." There is literally nothing there and we are on a major road. There is definitely no restaurant for us to go to. And so, they find a cozy spot while the boys and I wait. After the shitshow, we walk in one direction and Jess decides that we cannot go that way and that according to google - we should go this other way. So we go through what appears to be private property and the dust reminds me of the scene in the Godfather II when Vito's mother goes to Don Cicci to beg for his life - I fully expect people to come out with shotguns and come after us. We get to the back of the lot and there is another gate - to someone'e residence. So we go back, and Jess asks a man on a scooter how to go and he says what I said - from where we are we have to walk a little on the road that we didn't want to but to just be careful - without going all the way around in the town it was the only was. It was also about 1k from where we were. So we go back in the direction we were originally going - towards the sign I pointed out for Viola Park and made our way on the road. There were a few cars on the road watching the U20s practicing - we made our way to the gate and met up with our contact Maurizio.
One of the first stops was their new media room where they announce their new signing and any other major business that the club is up to.
This is the Villa named for our teacher's unlce, Joe Barone. He passed away suddenly in 2024. He was a big name in Brooklyn with the Brooklyn Italians football club and had been president of Fiorentina. He oversaw a huge transofrmation of the club including the development of this center - it is the biggest in Italy. It is beautiful. The location in this little vally is amazing - and it is so relaxing.
We got to the the chapel that is one the grounds - at it was really beautiful in its simplicity (I should have taken pics of the hall)
Below is the spot where all the teams and staff eat lunch together to help build community - that inlcudes the first team, the women's team and all of the youth teams.
Isla and Neil sitting in 2,300 euro chairs...
This is the first team's practice pitch...
Duncan doing Duncan things...
The women's pavilion...
View of the Duomo's dome in Florence - more on that later...Also below, the center just for the women. They are the only club in Italy to have a facility for the women players as well.
Of course, after we left Isla had to run to the bathroom so she and Jess went back inside. The tour concluded and we walked in to the town center to the supermarket to grab more water and snacks. Here are the boys waiting as Isla had to go to the bathroom again - making us miss the bus back.
When we got back to the city center, we went our separate ways for food - I think Isla had to go again and Neil and I waited on line at All'Antico Vinaio - and the line was worth the wait. If you find yourself in Florence you need to hit this place - just not at the same time that we did.
I got this one...
The three little ones got this...
And Neil this one...
We headed back to the apartment to hang out and relax for a bit before we headed to go for the climb of the dome at the Duomo - it is the largest unsupported dome in the world. After eating, I needed a nap and was able to get a small one in. Jess folded the laundry and did some other stuff. We got ready to go and head out to climb the 462 steps to the top and check out the views.
When we got there Isla wasn't sure if she should go (because of the bathroom) so she and Jess didn't take the tour. The boys and I did. I got my ass kicked by them because I stopped because of my asthma - let me be clear, I am out of shape too but it was primarily the breathing that bothered me for the beginning. They'll get theirs.
As part of the walk you were able to see the mural in the top of the dome close up - I hadn't even thought about that bonus. I wish we were able to get better shots of it because it was really cool to see that close.
Boobs and butts are always good for a laugh too.
The boys enjoyed the spears to the butts in hell. We were in our own hell on the way back down, I really do not understand the aversion to deodorant. It's vile.
While we were making our way up and down, I'm sure you can guess what Isla was up to...
We made our way back and stopped on the way for more gelato and then relaxed for the evening. Early morning tomorrow and another 414 steps...David, and I forget what else.
August 04, 2025
0 comments:
Post a Comment