I woke up about 6:30, and the lovely bells started ringing at 7. I was at breakfast at 7:30, and there was still no sign of the group of kids I saw checking in the other day. They must be inhabiting an alternate universe.
I've been on the road for 11 days now, and I thought I needed to do some serious laundry, rather than the wash I could do in the bathroom sink. I looked online for the closest laundromat, but reviewers noted that there was no soap available at this particular one. The friendly nun at our reception desk steered me to another place, not far away, that did sell soap to use in the machines.
Off I went with a tote bag full of stuff to wash. No one else was in the small laundromat at this early hour, but plenty of people were passing on the sidewalk on their way to work or school, so I felt safe from possible coin or dirty laundry thieves.
There was a change machine, and soap could be purchased for €1. My laundry was underway when an older Italian man came in. He was having a hard time figuring everything out. I directed him to the change machine. He was flustered by the washer, having inserted the requisite coins. It wasn't starting, and the coins wouldn't eject when he tried to cancel whatever he'd done. He obviously hadn't followed instruction #5 -Insert Coins (One) At A Time. So, I got involved, pushing every button, but nothing was happening. Finally, I got my mini nail file and tried to capture a stuck coin. It worked, and all the other coins he'd inserted came out too. We started over, and voila, or however you say that in Italian, the machine started its wash cycle. Wow! Me helping someone else, instead of the normal me needing someone else's help! Life was good.
I still had a good part of the day free, so I decided to visit Santa Croce Church, which I had passed a few times. Built in the 14th century, it holds the tombs of some great Florentines. The facade is 19th century, and I would say resembles other prominent churches in Florence, if not as colorful. If I knew more about architecture, I'd probably agree with Rick Steves' description of it as Victorian Gothic, but I'm not that savvy.
Galileo spent his last years under house arrest in Florence, for defying the Church by saying the earth revolved around the sun. His remains weren't allowed in the church until long after his death.
Lots of local dignitaries are buried in the floor.
In addition to all the important tombs, Santa Croce is a beautiful church. There was some scaffolding in evidence, but not much. I thought this painting, with the patches where repairs were needed, was interesting.
And here's the last wine window I'll ever see, unless I return to Florence!
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