The Short Train Journey

Trip Start Jun 17, 2007
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15
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Trip End Aug 01, 2007


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Monday, July 16, 2007

After getting off the overnight train and carrying my pack around Milan train station for about 40 minutes (there wasn't really anywhere to put it and to sit down), the platform for the short train to Florence was announced so I thought that I may as well get on the train and sit down.  After walking for what felt like a kilometre down the platform alongside a train that was going to Zurich, I found the train that was going to Florence and got on.  Ended up sitting next to a woman who insisted on sitting on her feet on the seat and had them slightly touching me...euwww.  Should have moved, but was a bit knackered after the overnight train trip.

Got into Florence at around 2pm (after a short nap on the train, obviously!) and got a taxi to the hostel where I was meeting up with Kirsten, Amanda and Claire.  They were out and about at the time and so I hopped in the shower.  Loved feeling clean again after more than 24 hours of travelling across Spain, France and Italy (see previous entry for the route).

Was good to see the girls when they got back from their shopping trip.  We had enough time for a shower, a change, and a bottle of wine before we had to leave for our Italian cooking class for the evening. 

There were about 20 people there, including an America family group (we couldn't really figure out the actual family relationships!) who thought it was a good idea to have a 3 year old wandering about and needing attention.  Anyway, we divided into group and the four of us were with an American couple on their honeymoon - seemed quite nice.  Anyway, the menu for the evening was (in the order that we ate it, rather than the order of preparation)...

Rice filled Tomatoes
Potato Gnocchi (from scratch!!)
Peasant Chicken (Pollo alla Contadina)
Tiramisu

The professional chefs who were on hand to help were great - quite funny and entertaining especially when they were critiqueing our gnocchi-making ability (we weren't always able to achieve the ideal size and shape!!).  If the gnocchi wasn't good enough, they threw it off the tray and onto the bench, with only faint sounds of disgust!!

Was a really pleasant evening and the food turned out great...we can't take all of the credit - most of the actual cooking of the food and the final seasoning was done by the professionals!  The class was a great idea and I'd recommend it if any of you are heading in that direction (I'd provide the link,but I wasn't the one who booked it, and therefore, don't know where to find it!!).

Got back to our hostel relatively early in the evening but we were all quite tired and headed off to bed.
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