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"