Day 48

Buongiorno,

     I know how you have all probably missed my personal photo shoots, well good news....Today was the day they are back:) For some reason the streets of Florence were not very busy. Perfect for the self photo shoots:)

    I was extremely productive today my first stop was the Salvotore Ferragamo Museum. It is located right upstairs from the store. It was incredible with over 16,000 pairs of shoes. The building was beautiful and the museum a delight.

    My next stop was the Palazzo Pitti or better known as Pitti Palace. I have to tell you I am a little burned out of going to museums, that may sound awful, but keep in mind this is day 48:) I really was interested in the Costume exhibit so when I went to Biglietto office there were a lot of ticket options so I said for the Costume and Boboli Gardens (the gardens that belong to the palace) 12. Euros later. I walked pretty far to the entrance and then I kid you not at least 150 stairs up to the Costume room to be informed my ticket was not good for this part of the Pitti. I practically begged to go in and I could tell the girl felt bad, but there was nothing she could do so I walked down the 150 some odd stairs to exchange my ticket and with 5 Euros back in my pocket and a new ticket I was on my way back up, once again I was sweating:) This trip has been like a constant workout:) Anyway, the Costume rooms were gorgeous with many beautiful gowns dating from the 1800's to the late 1900's. It was worth the walking and I was already preparing for my gelato later so no quilt there:). After, I walked out to the gardens and they were actually better than I imagined.

     So many good photo ops at the gardens:) Another travelling tip which I think I already gave but worth repeating. If you are travelling to sight see absolutely go in the off season. You can walk right up to anything you want to do or see and you get great pictures without strangers in them. Not to mention prices are a lot better. Seriously it is so nice. Now if you are going to a resort totally different story. I can't imagine travelling any other way. It also seems like everyone is so much friendlier, I think because merchants appreciate your business and other tourists aren't stressed by massive amounts of people.

  After boboli I had a great lunch and then decided I should buy myself a little something on the Ponte Vecchio (the bridge in Florence that only sells jewelry, 54 little jewelry stores) I have enclosed many pictures of this bridge in previous blogs. Ponte Vecchio dates back to the 1500's maybe 1400 I can't exactly remember. Anyway, I bought myself a cute necklace and 3 separate tri colored bracelets. I felt good about this idea!!!      

     Then I was onward to the Officina Profuma Farmaceutia di Santa Maria Nouvella opened in 1612. Marco told me about it yesterday and said I needed to go. Wow everything they sell is all natural ranging from soaps, creams, animal products, perfumes, elixirs and men's shaving products (hey Landon maybe you got something:) I loved this place another MUST GO on my list. The picture is of me inside in case you didn't know. It was beautiful inside as well. Pricey but well worth it.

    I have been busy haven't I ?

    You didn't think I was going to forget my gelato did you? I worked hard for this today:) and it was a really good one. They are a bit different everywhere you go.

   At this point in my day I came back to the hotel and finished packing box #9, the picture will be in tomorrows blog:) and I packed most of my suitcase for my departure on Tuesday morning.

   I then came down to the lounge to download my pictures for the day and to work on my blog. Of course I ran into Evie which is always fun for me. We are having dinner together tomorrow:)

   I hope you like the pictures, I was having fun taking them. BTW I didn't take all of them:)

 Until tomorrow my friends and family, always sending my love and good wishes,

     Laura

  

 Photo shoot #??????

Thought for the day:

Think of life as the best gift ever.....         

Day 47 Cinque Terra:)

 Hi Everyone,

      What a perfect day today was, the weather was impecable, Marco my driver picked me up promptly at 8am for my trip to Cinque Terra. I was a little nervous to go here for some reason. I think because I knew I had to hike and I didn't want to be alone on a cliff. If I fell who would find me? How wrong was I? Cinque Terra is a slice of Heaven and I want to go back. Marco did tell me that there is also a train that takes you from city to city because the terrain can get a little hairy. Ahhh trains are for wimps! We got there about 10am and Marco told me how to find the first trail (the love walk) no less.   Oh well, my love bracelet and I were ready to go!!!! Cinque Terra means 5 cities and I was at city #1 Riomaggore at the southern most end. Marco gave me his number and I took his and he told me he would meet me at 3pm at the last city Monterosso. I was off. I walked through the bitty city and found the love trail. It was so beautiful I couldn't believe my eyes. There were a few people but not many which I loved. I got to the 2nd city Manarola, another cute tiny city. I continued on the trail, now no longer called the love walk because now it was more like a hike. It was muddy from the rain the previous day and rocky, but I didn't care I was on a mission. It was breathtaking and definitely the people on the trail count was nil, well there were a few. I started off with a jacket, sweater, scarf and 2 layered tees and when I ended I was only with my tees! haha. All my clothes and jackets were tied or hanging on me. It was the nicest weather day I have had in Europe in 46 days:) I made it to Corniglia and started up a never ending traversing stair situation to the top of the 3rd city. Another unbelievable moment. I then headed to the next trail. I was about 1/2 way and sweating when the trail was closed because of mud slides! hmmm the train doesn't sound so wimpy at this point so I head back, reach the never ending traversing stairs and back down to the train station only to have missed the train by 5 minutes and the next train is leaving in 1 hour and 15 minutes. So I actually have a great idea... I set my alarm for 1:30 pm, lay down on the bench and take a nap in the sun. Oh man did that feel great. I boarded the train (1.40 euro) and 10 minute later I was in Vernazza. I think this was my favorite little city. It was small but roomy. The views were amazing and the little beach was adorable. I had a a piece of pizza and gelato there and it was really nice. The trail to Monterosso was closed as well so I took the train there. (see why I need to go back? I want to hike the entire 8 miles). I made it 4 and was pretty proud of myself.  Monterosso is the largest city, but still quite small and probably the one I would stay at. There were more of a variety of hotels and a bigger beach. Now there is also a ferry that can take you from city to city, which would be really fun but it is only in operation from April-November. My advice is to travel to Cinque Terra either April or October, because you would have nice weather, the ferry is running and all of the restaurants and so forth would be open. I don't think you would have the same experience if it was packed with tourists and that is how the other months of summer are. Aren't I just a fountain of information?  If you would like a tour guide on this trip just ask me I would be happy to join you:)

    Marco was ready and waiting when I got to Monterosso (he was such a great driver and told me so many things about the history and culture of Italy) On our way back he told me he was going to show me something beautiful, his favorite spot. Don't let your mind go there... He was very professional and happily married!!!! Just very good at his job. He took me to Piazzole Michelangelo. OMG, it was gorgeous, it was up on a high hill and overlooked all of Florence. It took my breath away. That's where I was on the pictures with the amazing views of the city. There was also a church up there that was built in 1038!!!! Can you believe that?

     On the way back to the hotel he drove me around some places in Florence that were interesting and we got back at 6:30. It was a perfect day!!! I am so happy I went there. Cinque Terra is a MUST SEE!

   I was pretty wiped out when I got back to the hotel, my new friend Peter is leaving tomorrow so he asked me to go to dinner... How could I say no? So we went to dinner, said our ciao's and I was up in my room downloading the 183 pictures I took today. Ya think it was beautiful????

  I hope you enjoy the pictures from today, I wish I could include more but I will be happy to show you when I get back!

  

Ciao for now,

                       Laura

Marco and I after our "Big" day:)

Thought for the day:

Nature is pure beauty, natural and simple, nice don't you think? People should be like nature. 

Day 46

   Ciao everybody, I am amazed how quickly the time has gone. I am already thinking when I can come back to Europe. The last couple of days have been a wonderful education for me visiting the different tanneries and leather production plants. Everyone in these tanneries and plants are so nice and so detail oriented. We went to some of the places we went to yesterday and a couple of new ones. I had no idea how much leather is processed to become the final product. It has been very interesting for me. I saw some pretty incredible bags.

   Also driving around and seeing the Italy's smaller towns and villages has been great. Tuscany is big and the hills and valleys alike are beautiful.

   I went to a little shop that made shoes. Peter was given 2 aligator skins and had a pair of  made. It was like out of the olden days (1500's) that is! A tiny place with tiny chairs and a few people hand sewing and trimming shoes. I would have been tempted but they only made men's shoes. Good thing because they were really expensive.

   We are going to go out to dinner with one of the men from the tannery. I feel like part of the team:) I think creativity has got to be one of the most fun things to tap into. I can't imagine working in a field that didn't involve it.

    Tomorrow I go to Cinque Terra and I am leaving the hotel at 8am. Hmmm very early for me these days:)
    I was also more comfortable today and took some pictures while I was out, as you can see.
    I think I stayed in Florence too long so I am happy that I have kept busy and planned day trips. I still have a few things I want to do here so I think I will be fine but if I had to do it again I think I would have only stayed at the most a week. The good part is that I have seen and experienced things that I would have never got to if I hadn't stayed this long. There is no way I would have met the people I have if I only had a few days here and that has been an unexpected pleasure.
    I hope all is well with everyone in the rest of the world, I do miss you but I wish you were all here so we could travel longer. I have the bug and and I have the bug bad:)
   Sending lots of love,
                               Laura

A bit close

Thought for the day:

Everything you create starts with just a thought

  

                          

Day 45

Hi Everyone,
     This little traveller is tired. Is it the wine? Is it the early mornings? Is it all the walking? Is it the late nights? Is it all the cooking? Maybe all of the above, I am tired.

    So when I woke up this morning Peter Dooney called me and asked if I wanted to go with him today and see what his days are like and to see the leather factories. Well, I thought Pitti Palace could wait for another day because this was quite an opportunity so I said yes! I didn't get a chance to take pictures because I just didn't feel like it was the right thing to do. We had a driver and he took us to 2 leather processing plants. So interesting and so much product I couldn't believe it. The factories produced for Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Coach, Fendi and of course Dooney and Burke and many others. I was given 2 pieces of leather from the Louis Vuitton leather:) It was really something. Then we went to the factory that makes the prototype bags for Dooney. I gave my opinion on a few and it was really fun. Everyone was so nice and showed me around and explained the different types of leathers.
     After we were done we thought it would be fun to go to the outlets, Gucci, Fendi, Dior, Burberry, Tods and many others. I didn't go crazy at all, I was really proud of myself.

     It was so much fun seeing the country side of Tuscany and visiting other towns in this area. Quite a fortunate thing to get to do.
    We got back to the hotel and I had to run to my cooking class. So my day has been really busy. Fun busy! Class was great there were 7 of us and we made 2 kinds of Risotto and Biscotti. The Risotto was amazing and the technique quite different from the way I was taught. I can't wait to make it for you when I get home. There were a really nice mom, daughter and aunt at the the class tonight, the daughter was studying abroad and they were from Arizona. She lived nearby and they showed me her apartment, it was really nice and her mom and aunt were great. I really can't believe how many wonderful people I have met, it just amazes me.

     I got back to the hotel aka little Peyton Place and met up with my hotel friends. Peter was there and asked me if I wanted to go with him again tomorrow so I am. I am learning a lot and I know he enjoys the company so its good. He's a nice man. I have met another friend:)
     I am going to get some sleep. Talk to you tomorrow.
               Sending my love,
                            Laura

Quote of the day:

"We all have big changes in our lives that are more or less a second chance"

                                

Day 44

Hello Everyone,
   I am a bit late in posting day 44, but better late than never.

     I decided that I would go visit the Synagogue or Sinagoga here in Italy. It was quite a walk and I thought I would never make it but I did, unlike Churches, the Synagogues are very protected with security and the such with locked gates and limited access. This always makes me sad, that the freedoms others enjoy the Jews cannot. I bought my ticket, had to lock my phone and camera in a locker. (although I am one of the people I have no special treatment) ha! It was a beautiful Synagogue, the prettiest I've seen here. I went on the tour (just me)not huge crowds waiting to get in on this tour. The woman was really nice and explained the history and other interesting information with me. There was a small museum upstairs where they had many unique Jewish artifacts dating back to the 1400's. So I enjoyed myself and it felt good to be there.

   I left and realized I was hungry and decided to go to Ruth's Kosher Vegetarian Food Restaurant. (it was right next door). It was great, I had vegetable soup, with outstanding broth and hummus with pita. The owners were really nice and invited me back for shabbat dinner. As you may have guessed Ruth's is the only Kosher restaurant in town.
   I meandered my way back towards the hotel and went into a few local stores, I bought an amazing copper pizza pan and serving tray. ( I temporarily forgot about my weight rules), I remembered them as I continued walking back to the hotel.. I also found a pair of boots and a handbag that I thought wanted to come home with me as well. box 9 is filling up!
    I went to my cooking class and just as I had wished I received a private lesson. It was so much fun. We made homemade Raviolis, Orecchiette, a potato, zucchini and eggplant dish that was so delicious,a chicken dish and Strawberry Panna Cotta. It was great. Tomorrow I go back for my last class but there are 11 people signed up already, so I will have to share.

  I got back to the hotel so full and was writing down some notes from class when Evie came by to say hi and we chatted for a while.I just love her:) Then Peter Dooney came by and bought me a couple of glasses of wine and we talked for a long time. I came up to blog and I was just too tired. I kept dozing off. Hence the reason I am late posting.
  I was planning on going to the Pitti Palace tomorrow (not pity mind you) but plans changed. I will tell you about it on day 45 blog. I have to keep you wanting more!!! lol
  I hope you all had a great day and I will report back to you soon,
                 Love Laura

My Chef at my private lesson

Thought for the day:
Being creative taps into your soul

Day 43

    Buongiorno

       Day 43 has been pretty low key. I may have had a bit too much wine last night because I wasn't my go get-tum self this morning:) So I just took it easy and planned some things to do, took care of my tax refunds (for purchases) and really just hung out. Sometimes you need days like this. I hardly even took any pictures today.

      Remember when I told you I was going to go to Cinque Terra and then decided I would wait until I got to Florence? Well going by myself just didn't feel like something I wanted to do, because the little towns are pretty remote and it is off season so there wouldn't be many people there. No tours even go there until April. So I hired a private guide and I am going Saturday at 8am. I am so excited and this way I will get the history and be able to see so much and get so much more out of my time there.

     I also went to my cooking class tonight, it was so much fun. There were 3 young girls in the class with me from Israel, Canada and Switzerland. They were nice and we all had a good time. The Chef was funny and cute. (a nice combo). We made Pizza, Gelato and a Sweet Salami Roll (no meat involved, just looks like a salami). The school was great and I go back tomorrow for a four course meal class, being off season I am the only one signed up. I hope it stays that way. It would be amazing to have a private lesson. Then on Thursday I signed up for the Risotto and Biscotti class. It was so good to be back in a kitchen. I think when I get home I will be a cooking maniac. Oh and the Chef today kept calling me Chef which was so cute.

     I was thinking today what I have learned about travelling since I have been away. I have learned that when travelling alone you meet a lot of people, that men are the same everywhere only a lot more aggressive in Italy, that you can take care of your tax refunds in town and not at the hectic airport, that having an IPhone is a must have, that trip advisor is a great travel tool, say yes when invited to do something, drink wine (because it's fun), have skype to stay connected, travel light, send boxes home to stay light, keep a positive attitude, that it's fun to get lost, travel by train as much as you can, travel in the off season to avoid crowds, be careful with your camera when taking photo shoots, that having a blog is so much fun, that the world is huge and I want to see as much of it as I can, that travelling alone is quite fun and so is traveling with others, that it's fun to experience big and small hotels, to utilize the concierge, don't worry about time (unless you have to be somewhere), be spontaneous and just do whatever you feel like, that TV in Europe sucks, that having a netbook is a great idea, having two adapters is a good idea, always ask for an upgrade (with a smile), take pictures of street signs so you remember where you came from, take day trips, sleep when you're tired, only bring your most comfortable shoes (I did), take a class in something you like, learn basic words of the language spoken (I have), There are so many more but I just wanted to share some thoughts with you.

     I hope all of you are doing well and I will be writing to you tomorrow.

                                                                                      Love , Laura

                                                            

   The class at Intovola

   Thought for the day:

   I have heard experience is what you get when you make a mistake.

   I believe experience is what you get when you live.

 

Day 42

The Hills of Tuscany

Buongiorno Everyone,

     First off, I said I would report back on my date. It was really fun, I made it back to my hotel safely. Luca made me dinner, yes I went to his house .(no need for alarm)  It was really nice and he filled me in on lots of interesting information and he is a nice guy. Enough said:)

    I went on a tour today to Siena and San Gimignano (really difficult to say so I am happy I just have to write it) It was great having the day all mapped out for me. I think I will do a few more tours. Both places were beautiful medieval/gothic style areas and the architecture quite a bit different than Florence so it was interesting to see. There were probably about 25 of us on the tour so it was also nice talking to everyone.There was this really nice couple (older) and we were talking about food and he said "I have the appetite of a bird" I was like "really" and he said "a vulture"I thought that was so funny, he was so serious. We went to churches, museums, had lunch and had free time to explore on own so it was perfect. In Siena there is a horse race twice a year in their Piazza del Campo, (a picture of the Piazza is the 2nd picture from the top of the blog)) and in this relatively small space, July 2 and August 16, 30,000 people gather to cheer on the horses for the different areas of Siena. The guide showed us a picture of the race day and it was insane. So if you are in the area during those dates I think it would be great fun to go. Siena also has the Monte dei Paschi Bank, which is the oldest and most successful bank of Italy, maybe Europe as well I can 't remember. Siena is a banking city. Their revenue comes in #1. Banking 2. The University 3. Tourism. A beautiful little city and good for a day trip.

     Then we were on to San Gimignano, another quaint city great for a day trip. The drive was so pretty with vineyards everywhere as well as Olive trees. Saffron is another big industry in Tuscany as well. We didn't have a tour here, just free to walk around as it is tiny. I did find something pretty interesting. What do you know???? A gelato shop!!!! Did I tell you that Stracciatella (chocolate chip) is my favorite. I even know how to pronounce it I have ordered it so many times:) I bought a few little souvenirs here and just enjoyed the atmosphere.  It was a full day and a perfect thing to do.

    I wasn't happy with how my new camera operated so I took it back and exchanged it for the one I broke. I didn't feel like fighting with a camera. I thought that was a good decision:) Just no more balancing the camera on chairs:)

   I made it back to the hotel and I ran into my little friend Evie in the lounge. She invited me over so we talked and ate. I realized that this hotel is like Peyton Place (soap opera for all of you young readers), everyone knows every one's business. Evie at the helm:) A lot of locals come here to socialize in the lounge, as well as a lot of people that travel here frequently and Italian men trying to pick up on nice unassuming Americans:) (Luca doesn't fit this description by the way, he really is nice). So anyway, Evie was filling me in on every one's life, it was really funny. She is pretty sharp for 81. So she  introduced me to Peter Dooney of,(Dooney and Burke, handbags) , interesting man. He bought us wine (trying to get lucky? maybe! and not with Evie!!! Didn't happen! Anyway, Evie left and he and I talked for a long time, I love hearing how people start their companies and insights to business. He invited me to dinner before I leave so we will see. After a few glasses of wine I knew I needed to get going, so I said goodnight and was on my way.

  I have a cooking class tomorrow and Wednesday so I am looking forward to that. I am also looking forward to hearing more of Evie's stories, she has had quite a life as well.

  Ciao, until tomorrow, wishing you all everything that is good,

                                                                                     Laura

                                                           

                                                                  San Gimignano

                                                              Thought for the day:   

Strength is being true to yourself, even in moments of weakness    

Day 41

Hello Everyone,
  Happy to report the Camera shop was open, my camera however has seen better days and needs to go back to Costco, but I have a new Pentax for only 99 euros. Not bad and now I will have a spare. I was so happy. I really let go of it last night and see what happened? It all worked out! More pics to come:) That is how my day began and it is ending pretty well as you will see later:)

   I went to the Duomo and the area where you could climb up is closed on Sunday so I climbed the 414 stairs to the top of the tower. It was narrow and claustrophobic and I cannot reiterate this enough... DO NOT walk up this tower in the summer when there are a million people here! It would be miserable. There were quite a few people today but if there were any more it would not have been good and coming down was a bit scary. Also if you are planning the climb do it first thing in the morning when you still have your legs and are strong. I was lucky with that one. As for climbing up the 474 steps of the Duomo, I really don't know if I need to do that, is 60 more stairs going to be that much better???? Unless of course I need to burn off some gelato. Whoever said Florence was small was smoking something. I think it's big. Well I guess anything is big compared to Pisa and Venice:)
  Hmmmm I wonder who the guy in the Gelato shop is giving that cone too???

  Oh and I almost forgot to tell you, there was a heat wave today.... It was 57* and so sunny, not a cloud in the sky. I wore a short sleeve top and my...well...new brown leather Pinko jacket:) I brought along an umbrella just in case and good thing because later in the day it started raining.
   I went to the Galleria degli Accademia, now that was a great museum. Everyone, I saw the original "David" just to let you know my bar is now raised!!! I even bought a miniature one, I couldn't help it, call me a tourist, seriously I stayed there so long, it was just incredible to see in person and the best part is no one was there. In the summer it is packed and hot. I am telling you this is the time to travel, it's great. So I walked around David admiring the amazing artistry. The art at this museum is just wonderful. A must see while in Florence.
   I realized one thing that was bothering me yesterday, I have been planning everyday and I was just tired and wished someone else could just take over for one day so I solved that and booked a tour for tomorrow. I am leaving at 9am and going to Siena and San Gimignano. I am feeling really happy for that decision.
   Also when I came back to the hotel I came down to the lounge and met a nice Italian man named Gian Luca (popular name here in Italy) and we got to talking and I mentioned wanting to take a cooking class and not finding one that I felt good about and he knew of a great one very near the hotel. So I signed up to take classes Tuesday and Wednesday night. On Tuesday one of the items we are making is none other than Gelato, among others. I couldn't resist. Then as I was still in the lounge the server in the bar came over and said I had a phone call, It was Gian Luca asking me out to dinner. I said yes. Isn't this day sounding so much better than my day yesterday? Ya I know!
   So I am waiting for my dinner companion to arrive. If I'm not to tired when I get back I will let you know how it went. Or you may have to wait until Tomorrow.
   Arrivederci for now, love
                                    Laura

                             








In the tower enjoying the moment:)

Thought for the day:
Our minds mold our thoughts and our thoughts mold who we are, we have power over our minds, it is our choice to:
Be nice or mean
Be honest or lie
Be humble or arrogant
Be generous or stingy
Be tolerant or impatient
Be grounded or pretentious
Be positive or negative
Be open minded or close minded
Be funny or serious
and to:
Love or hate
The choice is ours