I’m not one to say I’m afraid of heights because well, I’m not. I do think I get a little nervous when things seem unsafe (even if they aren’t), but I was going up. All the way up to the top. I wanted to see that view from the top of the Duomo because I came here to see Florence and that is exactly what I was going to do.

A big group of us got tickets together; me and 3 others actually were able to climb together making it even more fun. I didn’t feel any sort of negativity, I really just wanted to see the top. I’ve seen some pretty gosh darn good views here this past week, but I had a feeling this one was going to be extra incredible.

Up, up, up we went. It was spiraling, confusing, waiting for people to squish past, steep steps, burning quads, and over 400 steps to the most speechless view I’ve ever had.

I couldn’t fathom how far I could see- the mountains, the bright blue sky on the most clear day, the city with orange and tan warm colors. I’m still speechless. I feel so eternally grateful that I get to be here and see another part of the world I may have never seen otherwise. This view made me realize the magic of this city. This is what we came for. This is what you came for. This is what I came for.