Florence, six hours later

As Jenn has mentioned, we entered Florence on a low note. Our experience, crawling tired from the train, gave us pause. We searched for a quickie breakfast first and found a cafe that wanted 15.8 euros (almost $25) for 2 orange juices, 2 coffees and 2 croissants.

Thieves! Or, as the Florentine composer Gioachino Rossini might say, la gazza ladra (thieving magpie)! We did not eat there, as you might guess.

We were somewhat down on Florence after our first day, so we did the second day adagio. I made a concerted effort to start learning some Italian vocabulary. Never one to be second fiddle, Jennifer played along with me.

"Ladro means thief. Ah, right, la gazza ladra."

Jenn stared at me. Apparently, this was the one classical (baroquical? orchestrical?) song whose name Jenn didn't know. Glad for the opportunity to make amends for using the word "baroquical," I explained that it was authored by a guy named Rossini, thus exhausting my knowledge of classical/baroquical/orchestrical music.

Later, we stopped by the Basilica di Santa Croce, where, as it happens, Rossini's remains are entombed. Rather harmonious, I thought.

That evening we even managed to find a small restaurant where we were able to share an appetizer, enjoy two dishes of pasta, a bottle of wine and two desserts for 30 euros -- music to our ears!

As we conducted ourselves home, we were feeling better about Florence already... and then we stepped into a square packed with people.

They were listening to a concert, being put on gratis by the Florence Philharmonic Orchestra.

The song?

La gazza ladra.

PS - I am convinced that Italian conductors must be the alpha males. They are so gifted at talking with only their hands that they are given a stick and told to embellish their movements even more. As proof, I submit the following video.