| Aug 30, 2005 - Italia
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 | Camping on the pool deck.
| | Florence
| | Gelato
| | Ponte Vecchio in Florence
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| The 2 nights sleeping on boat decks like stow-aways, 2.5 hours busride and 3 hours on two different trains were all worth it for my first authentic Italian gelato scoop in 9 years since I first came to Italy. :)
Why did we sleep on the boat decks you ask? High season. Cabin tickets are scarce this time of year and one of the boats had one but it was for over 400 euros (ouch!) It was like camping I guess, but with a pool. We looked like refugees together with at least a few hundred others carving out our living 'territories' on the pooldeck. It's funny how people get territorial over plastic chairs and floorspace. Paul kept going to check on our stuff during dinner and rummy on the Lido deck (as we called it) which is ironic since it probably would have been a relief of our burdens if the large and heavy suitcases went away.
The gelato displays are a beautiful sight. They have them displayed so appetizingly in fluffy heaps with fresh fruit, or drizzled with chocolate or nuts, etc. to let you know the flavor (in case you can't figure out the Italian terminology.) I've started a gelato diet to ensure that I taste each flavor before we leave Italy. (This will also ensure that I find any weight previously lost on the trip... ;)
We are currently in Florence and have enjoyed wandering the streets intoxicated by the scents of leather markets and bakeries.
Next we head to Lucca to see some of Paul's Tuscan kin (and I have scheduled us for a Tuscan cooking course as well.)
On this note, ciao for now. |
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