Florence and Food

We had a miraculously easy time getting to Italy. For a 18 hour trip anyway. We got upgraded to "Economy Plus" on our flight, and we were in an empty middle row- which meant we had 5 seats to ourselves. We proceeded to take some Nyquil and sprawl out for the long haul. This was of course, after we were told we were "f**king idiots" by 2 different, and I feel terribly unfriendly, people - just because we decided to opt out of checking baggage and were quite focused on acquiring overhead space.

Anyway- we made it to Frankfurt and then to Rome without delay. We then hopped on a train to Florence and arrived at Kate's new and fabulous apartment on the altr'Arno by 8:30 Saturday night.

With Nicco in Rome for a conference, we had Kate to ourselves. We quickly showered and unpacked, enjoyed an apperitivo of Prosecco, meats and cheeses, and then meandered off to a nice long meal around the corner. Lots more meats and cheeses, red wine, and pasta and then an after dinner drink at a nearby bar and Ben and I were quite happy to pour ourselves into bed.



We spent the majority of today, (Sunday), wandering the streets aimlessly with Kate, stopping long enough for lunch of more pasta and more red wine. Ben feels that it is our duty partake in the local watering holes the entire time we are here. It is, after all, vacation. And Italy for that matter. The wine freaking flows like water.


(The Duomo- I'm making Ben climb the steps with me tomorrow- though he doesn't know it yet...)


(The Bell Tower next to the Duomo)

After lunch we made it back to Kate's where Ben passed out for a solid 3-hour nap while Kate and I watched an incredibly disturbing episode of "Nanny 911." Italians get the worst of American TV. That said we were quite engrossed.

After I hauled Ben out of bed, we took the long way up to San Miniato for sunset. Behind Santo Spirito it's probably my favorite church in Florence. They were doing Gregorian Chants for the Sunday service, so we caught a bit of that before taking some obligatory photos outside and in Piazza Michelangelo and starting our trudge home.


(San Miniato)





We figured we had done enough walking to merit a stop at Rivoire across from the Palazzo Vecchio for some of their famous hot chocolate, or as I prefer to call it, liquid gold. Ben agreed that it's the most amazing he's ever had.

Now we're back at Kate and Nicco's. Nicco is making us dinner, we have opened yet another bottle of red wine, and I'm pretty content with the vacay so far. I think tomorrow we'll be more adjusted to the time zone and ready to explore more of the city. Or at least eat some more meats and cheeses and imbibe in more of the Italian wine...

Mille baci!