It was dusk by the time we made it to Florence. René's family friend lives in the city and he offered to let us stay with him. It turns out he owns bed and breakfast and a whole apt building. He is renting a whole floor out to an art school but they haven't moved in so he let us have the whole floor. It is 8-9 huge rooms and 3 bathrooms. We've stayed out of Patrick's hair and it has been paradise for us. The first night we washed our laundry (although we started it too late and got kicked out of the laundry mat, so we had to dry everything at Patrick's house on a makeshift clothesline. We spent the night catching up from the week.
We started the next day by walking right out of Patrick's front door to the main church and dome of some saint. We climbed the dome which put us high above the city and had some sweet views. The hike was so high that our legs were quivering and we were covered in pints of sweat well before 10.
We spent the rest of the day hiking around Florence seeing some of the local attractions and people watching. By the afternoon our legs were so sore we just caught local busses and rode around town.
In the evening we walked through some famous garden, crossed some famous bridge and ate dinner at a restaurant called santu espiritu. The whole time we agreed that Florence would be better spent with lovers and is not the best destination for a dude adventure.
A few other memory triggers:
+Street vendors running from Godzilla
+Left a message for the operator instead of Patrick
+KKK meeting
+Scary Egyptian statue
+6€ cokes
+Egyptian oblisks
+Tourist markup/tip
+Speedbump sign and speedbump woman
+benardos' steps
You are the world traveler.... I am the set-up man for the mom's comments! We ROCK!
As long as I'm logged in as the mom, I just want you to know how absolutely green with envy I am that you are there and I am here, turning green from a cardinal sin instead of a genetic change.
We missed you at the fireworks last night - the DAD had to pick the closest place he could find and so we were rained upon with glowing cinders and burning paper shrapnel. We wondered if you missed the USA 4th.
From now on, I'll write under my own login, but hope you have enjoyed a wonderful Saturday in Italy. I want a picture of all the pasta that you are carrying around your waist and the new belt you had to buy!
Love you,
the DAD
Goodmorning,
I stayed up and wrote a long email at 1:00a.m., but could not send it until dad set up an account.
Thanks for the update. I think the best thing about traveling is that everything is new so it doesn't matter where you are. You will see Europe thru your eyes only, and experience a vacation like no one else.
The vatican was impressive and Rome was a must see, but you will always laugh at the IRON MAN, and finding special sights on the off beaten tracks. I want more info about the speedbump woman!
If you only learn one thing from traveling, Buses, cabs, train, planes, horse/carts, rickshaws all run on their own time schedules. Your challenge is to find alternative routes and laugh about the inconvenience. In doing so you will see things no one else does so be patient.
I too am envious. Traveling has been my favorite past time. Two weeks is about the right time to be on the road.
Florence was such a nice change for me after the hectic crowds of Rome.
I remember it as being somewhat peaceful, a place to catch up on my journal, laundry, regroup. I enjoyed the craftsman's art work in sterling silver, leather shoes, bags, pastel painted homes, and Romeo/Juliet's Balcony. It was just a relaxing day.
I had been driving a V.W. bug in Rome which was so very challenging, Florence was easy. I can see that it might not be a guy's place.
Way to find other places of interest and experiences.
Ty got the Mimi gene. All day yesterday he said, "But Mom, I don't want to be 4, let me just be 3". That's my kind of guy.
We saw the Pixar Movie Wall'e with Scott and Lorisa. It was a cute, creative show, but too long, or may be we were too tired. We always enjoy Scott and Lorisa. The SLC symphony played, a cannon blasted,
and we experiencned the best Firework Show we've ever seen.
Next time the comments will be shorter, but I sure miss you and love you.
Mom