We’re home again in our little village. We had a lovely time in Florence. (Pisa not so pleasant.) But Florence is the city I’d gladly run away from home to. We met some lovely people and even the hard sell stall vendors (Italian) would enjoy a good old chat, comparing what they knew of Australia ( hey I have an Aunty in Melb/Sydney or wherever) and they loved their work you could tell with the absolute pleasure they took in negotiating the Quanto Costo of anything we wanted to buy. Half the time we pulled out to early in a haggle and they would cut their own costs! The Markets were right next to our hotel and so by the third day they’d be calling out to us, “hello, our Australian friends”…I think the off season is pretty quiet for them and they were glad to have our business, ha ha .
We manage to start some kind of conversation everywhere we go and I love that about holidaying. For example we met a nice Indian man (he also has family in Australia) who had just bought a wine shop. We got chatting and found out that he was Sikh but had decided he wanted to have a life first and when he turns 50 he’ll grow his hair and beard and don the turban but until then, he’ll have a life!!! He proudly showed us the new sign for his store “The Plenty Wine Store” that was ready to hang out the front “Pretty good name, yes!” We had to agree, having just bought 3 bottles for the price of two. When we left we noticed his serious competition three doors down, “The Happy Wine Store” also with some grocery lines…we could see why he would take such drastic action as to change the name of his shop. A pre-emptive strike in the battle of the grog shops. Nice people!
We chooffed off on our train at 9 ish in the morning negotiating the Florence station to catch the really fast train. They shoot you out of a big cannon so its important to wear your helmet and leotard and throw your hands in the air when you land. Russell looks great in Silver lycra.
We landed in Rome, negotiated the Metro (underground) to the Suburban station where we caught the regional train back to Sulmona. It was about a three hour trip so between reading and dozing and looking out the window it went pretty quickly.
At one stage we popped out of a tunnel into a winter wonderland. I thought I was having a Narnia moment, or had stepped into a Christmas card. There was fog everywhere and snow, big deep fluffy snow. And the quaintest little villages, frosted with white. It was breathtaking. The closer we got to home the more we thought that we’d have snow here, but unfortunately its still a few days away they said , still not cold enough. Cold enough for us to be wearing most of our clothes!!!
So here for a few days then back to Rome to finish out touring there, we collect Trish’s cousin who flies in from Australia and then we are back here for Christmas. So a couple of days to wash clothes, walk, sleep and eat. Its heaven!
Talk soon
LinX
2 comments:
Sounds like a lot of fun to get to Pisa. Just as well you got there to hold the building up. The snow is looking good. Just read on Facebook that Rhyl has made her way over to Italy and it is snowing wherever she is staying. She has caught up with Kari, so I am sure they are having a wonderful time too.
No snow here just hot weather. Dawn says thanks for your prayers. She is still with Carmel and hasn't been able to get to reading your blog yet, but is thinking of you. Take care,
janelle
there was so many folk selling stuff in pisa yer florence is the place..hope you warm up x
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