General Discussion & Chat: I Got You Babe..., 1 by Seedtosser1

Seedtosser1 wrote:
Hello!
Giggling as I say I can totally relate to the Belguim ways Linda Kay!

One of the things that we learned to appreciate was the simplicity of life in Italy.
I enjoyed very much watching the people. They gathered together and conversed with all the time in the world.
Mostly this was the observation we made while in the Country. The time there was our most favorite and I think we
spent our time the with same casualness as the people in the village.

LOL, I also giggle about your sister in France too Jaye. I suppose with some a dryer is a wonderful thing to have too, LOL, I miss mine horribly wen it went out!

But there was this feeling of, loving comfort as I watched people hanging out there laundry.

And I do have a little laundry tale to tell, but that will come in a little bit.

Once we we made the choice of driving to Florence, my fears didn't start revealing themselves until we got to our litlte car. By this time it was growing dark. We were both starving and we still had 3 hours travel. And we were armed with a GPS system to help guide the way. Steve literally had to fold himself in half in order to fit in the cute little Fiaht, which he was not to happy about. Then we had words over setting up the system, but once figured out and followed the turn by turn instructions, Steve decided it wasn't such a bad little system after all, and of course we might just have to pick one of these up! Well now, it being Monday and also there wasn't too much traffic,my fears started to diminish and as my honey explained is would be just like going to house in Wisconsin, all highway with little traffic. We were on our way again...Well, yes it was all highway, three lanes and indeed very little traffic. Now it was dark within the first hour and all i can see was the silhouette of Mountains. On the highway, were many great curves. I had my hand grasping the handle so hard hanging on for dear life. The speed limit we were traveling was at only at 75 KM. but riding these mountains i was sure we going at least 125, it was like driving a roller coaster, and my heart beat wildly with every curve. I even begged him to slow down, Palease! He looked at me and calmly says Babe, you know I can handle this drive, I am driving the speed limit. I am not gigling as he is. Exasperated I said "fine, just quit looking at me and keep your eyes on this crazy road." Again he enjoys his little laugh as we enter the first of many, many tunnels! Now, I was worried, They were long and we wondered since we couldn't see, it they were mountains we were driving through. We decided by this time we must be in the Tuscany area and to take my mind off the road discussed how beautiful the area probably was. We also encountered a touch of traffic. All the while, Still having vise grip on the handle these cars were whizzing past us! OMG I was sure we were going to die in Tuscany. On the GPS, Thelma, as we called her, was showing that we were driving along side a body of water here and there. After we came out the last very long tunnel, Thelma had to re-adjust her signals, but we laughed she told to us continue straight.

Those tunnels were actually pretty cool, There were very well lit with the headlights hitting the White arrows the forged on what seemed to be a never ending curve one way and then another. It actually gave me comfort seeing the direction the curves would take us.

Once we past through the last tunnel, We were awarded with the most magnificent sky. Not a cloud and one could see the vastness of the stars. This kept me occupied again until Steve started asking me for things I had to dig out of the back seat, grrr. LOL, he has the patients of a Saint when it comes to driving in the dark, on mountains and other drivers zooming past without a care in the world, with me his most wonderful passenger. lol, he asked me more then once where was my solitare game.

Finally around 11:30 We entered Florence. We thought Venice was a maze, but that was just a little test to finding our way around mazes. Florence was very much the same, full of little alley ways. Since our Hotel was in the middle of the action, we took note that it was probably best to park and walk in. After talking briefly, we decided to leave the luggage and retrieve it after we found the hotel.
The only thing we took was the pack that had our confirmation to the hotel. We had called from the Hotel that morning to confirm. Right after we talked to the kids letting them know we were heading to Florence. We would call when we got there. It was good to hear their voices. They had a very nice time With Grandma and Aunti. And everyone was doing good with their routine. We shouldn't worry, the house was still in one piece and they weren't starving...

We walked and walked the main street trying to locate the Alley that our hotel was on. Again we walked Circles, and up and down the alley's. We couldn't not find it to save our lives. So a small newspaper vendor was still open and we struggled with our tiny little paper of Italian words of survival. The man was wonderful and pointed us in the right direction. We discovered we had walked pass the Alley several time! Once on the right path we needed to walk to the Center and the hotel would be on the right. So we did, and still in the dark Decide to step into a Beautiful hotel and ask directions again. Turns out were were right across the alley! With a sigh of relief and gratitude, we offer our Grazi's and proceed across the street. To this very dark little corner with a big wooden door. It was almost after midnight now, The doors was locked so we ring the doorbell. Again we ring and no one opens the door! So now what to we do?? Steve takes me by the hand and we return to the beautiful hotel we just asked directions from. We explain our plight and they very hospitably rescue us with a nice room. The cost was a little more but we decided we didn't care. We take our pack up to the room and discuss whats next. Food, was very much on both our minds and then get the luggage.





This message was edited May 2, 2010 5:15 PM