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Scene down a side street this afternoon - a group of men having lunch in a courtyard.

In the last 24 hours we've landed, checked into two hotels, eaten three meals (one, amazing), and walked around the heart of the city. We have not yet gotten too adventurous. We just wanted to get oriented and recover from the jet lag. The weather is stunningly beautiful and the old buildings of the city are what I have noticed most. There are centuries of innovation and craftsmanship on the outside of every one and I've taken pics of details, colors and surfaces that have inspired. Here's my first batch. Enjoy!

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Just a few hours ago! The weather here is so good, everyone's talking about it...

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Wonderful patterns in the Italian train seat and the laminate behind (Sara yesterday morning on the train to Florence right off the plane - just a bit tired).

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The streets are NARROW, stone and they curve. It makes you think that the grid system really was our undoing...

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I found this marble carving studio by the Duomo and took a pic through the window. No one was there.

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The front of Il Duomo - The Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore. This is tourist central, but the patterning in the face of it is remarkable.

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The river Arno is busy with boats.

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This is the entrance to our Hotel, JK Place, where we stayed last night. Really nice with great design elements.

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Here's the dining room where we all had breakfast this morning. I'm going to do a tour of this hotel for tomorrow.