Florence

Buena serra from il Villino (our hotel) in Florence. By the way, should any of you are traveling to Florence, I highly recommend il Villino.

We came to Florence yesterday via our "smokin' Alpha Romeo"(yes, we kept it a week longer than planned)--all 5 of us including luggage. My old friend 'Ornellas' is an expert trunk packer. Even the guys at the hotel were impressed when they popped open the trunk to unload our luggage. No one could believe so much could fit in such a little space.

Once settled in the hotel, Rosemary, Peggy and I set out to find the airport to drop off the car. I am not sure why, but these things are never as straight forward as one would anticipate. I didn't know the airport in Florence was so tiny. It was so small in fact, that no taxi cabs could be found or summoned. After about an hour, we hopped a shuttle bus which dropped us at the train station. Surley we'd find a cab there (remember, Peggy isn't walking long distances these days). But alas there were no cabs and many people waiting. To top it off, I could not find the bathroom in the train statio. After half an hour or more a few cabs finally arrived to pick up all the waiting passengers and we made it back. Phew. Kathy (aka Ornellas) and Gail were waiting with a very nice picnic dinner out in a little courtyard for us. We dined under warm, clear skies and a big full moon. Nice end to a lovely day. We are glad to be back in Tuscany.

I know this may sound crazy, but I think the highlight of my trip has been meeting up with Ornellas after 28 years. I am having a blast. Hard to believe we had to come all the way to Italy to make it happen, but at least it did. I'm glad we did.

More later . . .

--Kathy (aka Ringwood)