May 23-26, 2014 Florence Part 3 and Moving to Vicchio
Friday was moving day from Livorno to Vicchio (50km from Florence). Mariano came with a van to help me move my things from this beautiful B & B where I've been staying for a couple of weeks. These were the beautiful flowers just outside my door.
The door to what was 'my room'. It took three different keys to get into my room :) Each door had it's own lock.
The gorgeous view from the table where I had breakfast in the mornings
This is the owner, Michela. What a wonderful, helpful person! and her husband.
On the road with Mariano, heading toward Florence. About a 2 hour drive. One thing I've notice here in Italy, that road signs, such as stop signs and speed limit signs seem to only be suggestions :)
A beautiful lake along the way
Houses that are 'on the road'. No one even slows down, and as narrow and 'country' as this road looks, it is full of traffic all traveling 50 or more!
One lane bridges with stop lights
All of Tuscany is just this beautiful. Farming, vineyards and beautiful green
A one person vehicle
One person vehicle up close and packing taped together :)
Saturday Mariano and I went into Florence as he was giving a tour to other Americans from Ann Arbor, Michigan who were there for an Art Workshop. I trailed along and found out that we had acquaintances in common in Washington! More about that later. This is the Candy Shop! and The main shopping district in Florence
Open air cafe in front of the Savoy Hotel
Another sweet shop
The Savoy Hotel
and all the doormen where in Tuxedos. I would have liked to peek in the door, but didn't try :)
Corinne from Ann Arbor, Michigan with the Art Workshop group. We have mutual acquaintances in Washington and had a wonderful day visiting and lunch together.
Ivano originally from Italy, now from Ann Arbor, Michigan heading up the Art Workshop
This picture I took for my Grandson Dean, as every time I go to their home, he is always wanting me to play chess with him!
Mariano, their tour guide asked me that morning as he was getting dressed if his clothes would be suitable for a group of Americans :) Of course!
Ivano, Debra (Ivano's wife) and Corinne all from Ann Arbor. Wonderful to have met them all here in Florence and find out we have mutual acquaintances! What a fun day I had with everyone.
Debra and Mariano
Debra and Corinne listening intently to the tour guide Mariano
Debra, Corinne and me
Get dressed up like one of these and get your picture made... same concept as we do in the US with the old west costumes at the fairs etc.
Corinne is originally from Korea
The Shoe Maker shop... fascinating to watch!
And then Tornabuoni Street! They had men at the doors in Tux's to 'let' you in or Not! Tornabuoni Street is the most expensive street in Florence. International fashion houses. The street is a sight to see! I was amazed at how different this street is compared to the ones surrounding it... Gucci, Prada, Burberry... I realized two things: One, I know I will never buy anything in these shops and two, they would never let me in anyway, as it is reserved for the very wealthy elite of Florence!
Anyway, you get the picture :) In the midst of all that, we did manage to 'afford' a Gelato. Mariano taking a much need break I'm sure
Corinne getting her licks in :)
And Ivano and Debra taking a picture of me taking a picture of them :)
Finally, something we could afford... T-Shirts!!
Back at the Hotel where the Art Workshop was held having dinner and an Art Demonstration
The Art Teacher and her Model (her daughter) Mariano is schedule to be the Model on Monday.
I was impressed!! After all these years, my first real exposure to painting
After the demonstration, Mariano stayed in Florence with his Uncle for a couple of days, since he needed to be with the group again the next two days, and I caught the train back to Vicchio where his mother picked me up at the station.
The grain field at Mariano's folks, with the wild poppies growing up in it
Mariano's folks here in Vicchio where I am staying now and Mariano is helping me to try to find a place to rent... seems like it should be an easy quest, but I'm finding out it isn't so easy to rent here... minimum contract is 4 years and very, very hard to even find one for rent, since two things: one, not much moving going on as these are long term contracts and two, they like to know who they are renting to first, so most only rent to people who have been referred to them by a friend. No problem finding vacation rentals, but otherwise, really quite the challenge.
Sunday lunch with Aurora and Augusto... wonderful, lovely folks. She is a very good cook and as is the Italian way, they serve meals in courses, so it is a lot of food! This was lunch and since David and Enrico (whom I met several days ago) were to stop by in the evening, we had another big meal. We had a beautiful wonderful Sunday together. In the early afternoon we went into Vicchio (4km) and they voted, This is the square and seems like everyone sits and hangs out on Sunday's. Population in town approx. 9000
Monday. I actually got a few things done today. Before I left Washington, I had shipped a few boxes to Mariano here at his folks, so today, sorted through them and all the stuff I brought with me and got a bit organized. Took me until about 3pm, but feels good to have a little order to my junk :)
Then Mariano arrived about 4pm and started helping me look for more rental places via the internet and we called a few, but they were no longer available. Anyway, there is one that looks hopeful in the south of Italy... a friend of Mariano's, however, we will make a trek down there next week and check it out. Will keep you posted.
All for tonight.... Buonanotte
