A Family Visit
Trip Start
Mar 27, 2008
1
7
20
Trip End
Ongoing
Florence,
Tuscany,
Italy
Monday, May 5, 2008
Before I left the USA, my cousin, M, was discussing the possibility of coming to Italy for her 60th birthday and I also invited my friend, Scott to join me for a week after I passed my course(which at this time I wasn't sure would happen)
Any way, there is no need to say that seeing my cousin and friend were more than welcome to me at this time. Scott flew in to Rome and spent the night here in a hotel near termini. M was in Venice first and we were to take the train to meet her in Florence in the next day
Barry, Francie, M and Me
. I also had to vacate my room over that weekend.So, after a mix up at the Termini station, Scott and I finally connected. Claudio volunteered to let me keep my suitcases at his house while I was in Florence so I wouldn't have to carry all my belongings with me. The next morning, Scott and I boarded the Train to Florence. It was frustrating at the Train station because nothing was clearly marked the way we do in USA and even if it was it would be in Italian. Scott got impatient but it didn't last long nor did it interfere with our good time.
We arrived in Florence after a 1 hour train ride through the beautiful countryside. We took a cab to the place we would be staying. It was so fantastic it brought a tear to my eye. It was in a small castle like, ancient building. It had a washing machine, a giant bedroom a kitchenette, and a loft bedroom. The price was surprizingly cheap for the three of us at about 100 e per night, we each paid for one night(300 e total).
When M arrived, we were so happy to see each other...the cab hadn't even come to a complete stop before the door flew open and we were hugging and crying. And smiling
Claudio at the sea
.I will not go into a long description about how pretty and fascinating Florence is; you can read your travel guide. But, I will say that we took a bus tour on the first rainy morning. Later that day we met up with another cousin, Barry and his lovely wife, Francie. (They were also traveling through Italy and decided to add M's birthday to their itinerary. While m, Barry and Francie enjoyed a tour through the museums, Scott and I explored on foot and chose a restaurant for dinner overlooking the river "Arno"
The scenery, food and company were all very fabulous!!
after 3 days in Florence, it was time to return to Rome. Yet another cousin, Jeff met us there and took Scott and M on a tour of the Vatican museums. I couldn't go because I needed to get moved and I also had job interviews lined up.
After M left to continue her trip, Scott and I enjoyed Rome together for another 3 days, just exploring and getting me settled.
When Scott went home, I was seriously sad, but it was time to get started with my life in Rome.
