Baptistery and more stairs

 We went over to the baptistery next and I had never been in here before.  I loved the gilt mosaics, they remind me of Venice and make it clear that I need to go to Ravenna and the east if I want more of this type stuff.  I love the pictures of everyone just staring up and trying to piece together the 

 depictions on the ceiling.  It was at this point of the trip that Rachel realized how much better all the students did when it was a small venue that wasn’t crowded with tour groups and we could all talk about things that we were seeing.  We would have lectures before we got a venue, 

 as much as possible in the venue and then try to debrief after, but this was hard to get done every time, so it was nice when you could just talk to your teachers about what you were seeing as you were seeing it.  I know what you’re thinking, but Jo, where are the 1000 steps because 

 you’ve only mentioned 500 or so and no I’m not counting up and down these steps.  After a nice lunch overlooking the cathedral, John then made me climb the campanile next to the dome, the huge bell tower that also has about 400 steps in it.  Again, some great views and something 

 that I can knock off my to-do list, forever.  We then went down into the crypt below the church with earlier churches piled up on other churches, under the big cathedral.  Brunelleschi’s tomb is down here, which is the most fitting burial place for anyone ever.