Well it happened – we drove in Italy. Today we traveled from Venice to Florence – the standard drive time should have been three and a half hours … for us it took seven hours. Quit laughing – we did the first part of the trip on a highway that goes through quaint little towns – not the L’autostrada (freeway). It was magical seeing all of the lovely rural homes – my favorite ones are a painted a golden yellowish brown color with dark green shutters – at least those are the ones that my eyes are drawn to. There is just something about that color scheme that lures me in and makes me feel rustic, far from home and wonder what it would be like to live there. We did the typical lunch – stopping at a cool farmers market for veggies and bread – eating in the car, trying to read the map and getting lost on the ‘roundabouts’. It’s bizarre – there are arrows and you think you’re going the right way and it turns out that you missed your turn or that it is farther ahead than you thought it would be. So we had several unplanned detours, but they were almost all pleasurable. We stopped for a café` two times also.
Once we reached Bologna the map looked like a twisty mountain road, so we opted for the L’autostrada – a super fast freeway that you need to pay for using. The first time we had to pay it was a little confusing, but we got the hang of it pretty quick – slide the credit card, take your ticket then the gate opens and the speaker says “Arriverderci” – We finally got to Florence, but finding our hotel was difficult – we asked for directions – the people were super helpful but it seemed that the directions were wrong – I don’t know but we were really turned around. There are a lot of one way streets and making a U-turn is not something you can do – you must go forward to the next roundabout to go back, then do another roundabout to get to where you wanted to be – now if you are confused reading this – try it in a stick shift car with road signs in a language you don’t understand – oh and don’t get mad at the driver either – that is very important or you might wind up being the driver. When we did find the hotel we were exhausted but very happy. The room rocked – I am talking 4 stars baby! We even had a mini TV in the bathroom and two toilets! (Kidding, one was a bidet)
Learning more each day we’re here, that’s for sure!
Ciao!
Once we reached Bologna the map looked like a twisty mountain road, so we opted for the L’autostrada – a super fast freeway that you need to pay for using. The first time we had to pay it was a little confusing, but we got the hang of it pretty quick – slide the credit card, take your ticket then the gate opens and the speaker says “Arriverderci” – We finally got to Florence, but finding our hotel was difficult – we asked for directions – the people were super helpful but it seemed that the directions were wrong – I don’t know but we were really turned around. There are a lot of one way streets and making a U-turn is not something you can do – you must go forward to the next roundabout to go back, then do another roundabout to get to where you wanted to be – now if you are confused reading this – try it in a stick shift car with road signs in a language you don’t understand – oh and don’t get mad at the driver either – that is very important or you might wind up being the driver. When we did find the hotel we were exhausted but very happy. The room rocked – I am talking 4 stars baby! We even had a mini TV in the bathroom and two toilets! (Kidding, one was a bidet)
Learning more each day we’re here, that’s for sure!
Ciao!
PS - Neil Young is coming to Florence! That would be so cool to see him here. My first concert was Neil Young - age 14 - way cool.
6 comments:
My Mom would be proud of you two. This now explains alittle bit of wackyness being half Italian I was always told my "differentness" was from that "side" of my family... Your description of the houses is perfect! I would be drawn to those exact ones also Nora.
My day will not nearly be as exciting as yours toots. Looking to get back to work after being off for the past 2 years with the knee replacements.
Approaching the big 51. Daughter leaving for the East Coast for some well deserved fun. She will graduate from CSUS Spring of 2009.
Had to cut loose of my son (temp) to his father for awhile. He's almost 15 and @ 5'9" he overpowers me. I love him and we will work this out.
So after 25 years in the Medical/Customer Service Field what does Cricky want out of Life? Certainly more than "A babys head holding an apple" I think that's what the Tubes said....
Enjoy, I know Life is full of hope
and if I click my heels Dreams will come true, I just gotta put the damn shoes on and GET OUT OF THE HOUSE....
Love you,
The Crickster
Woman- I expect some good food porn from Italy. Please tell us about the pasta and pizza. I have heard amazing things. Love you, Sheri
Almost forgot I Love the "FOOD PORN" reference, it fits perfect.
And and almost forgot to comment on Neil Young. COOOOL, 2 Cool, at 13 years old my Dad cut the cord Off my sister's record player because I played Cinnammon Girl over & over & over & over. Hula Frank had had enough of Neil.
I still had my life-sized poster to stare at, show you Dad!
Eat, Drink and report back, u 2
Be safe
Ciao, Nora!
I remember our first time driving on the autobahn in Germany by ourselves - kinda scary! But fun, too. And those roundabouts are getting popular in the States, too. Sequim has at least 3 of them.
Have you tried the bidet yet? I've read about them but never had one available to use, not even the hotel in Paris.
If you want to hear some Italian pop, try Eros Ramazotti. Fell in love with him while in Germany. He won't sing in English because he thinks it's an ugly language, but Cher & Tina Turner sang on two of his songs.
4 stars - cool! Enjoy every bit of service out of them.
Arrivederci!
Yo Chris,
wackiness - we're ALL a wee bit wacky Italian or not.
Good luck at work - you are good at your job I know that!
We are on a ship headding for England - but will be in Italy , France, Spain and Gibralter & Morroco before hitting the UK - so many places. It is fun, some stops will be repeats - like today. so we will go to the grocery store for wine, water and coffee - too much money o the ship! hey, ya gotta save where you can right?
Love you and THANKS for the comment!
Sheri, I will be writing about the Italian food ASAP - my God I have to go to the gym. One night we finished dinner at 11pm. Much different here that is for sure - the food will be as close to porn as possible.
Love ya
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