It's All About The Boots, Baby!

I tell you what. Italians sure know how to dress.

Not once did I see a gal schlepping around in pajama pants and a too-small camisole. Nor did I see any guys displaying their boxers for all the world to see. 

But I did see boots.

Carol and I were recovering on a park bench from a harried ride on the public bus and being tagged by the "bus police" for not stamping our ticket. By that point, we were pretty slap-happy and I started talking about how all the women were wearing boots. That's pretty much all it took and the hunt was on. We began the whispers, jabs, and nods of the head when a great pair of boots were spotted. I was very inconspicuous about taking my photos and that was half the fun. 

Do you love the coat with these boots?

Now, these people literally walk everywhere. EVERYwhere.

In heels.

On cobblestones.

Add to those cobblestones a bike. I have a very good friend that tried to ride a bike across cobblestones in Holland. Not good, she says.

Throw in a pair of boots on the bikes, on the cobblestones.

THEN add in a cell phone conversation while riding the bike in boots on cobblestones.

Oh-and dodging vespas.

Pretty impressive.

Speaking of vespas,

aside from the fact that they are very noisy, loud and remind me of a wayward Junebug,

Aside from the fact that my sister vehemently despises them for their noise factor,

I think it takes guts and quite a bit of finesse to ride one in a pair of boots.

But then that brings us back to bicycles.

Much quieter than vespas,

and they have cool bells to ring to get people like us out of their way.

Rain or shine,

Bikes are mighty fine.

I don't know why, but I found it curious that they had to be locked up.

I guess it burst my bubble of Italy.

Now this cute as pie gal was riding a Vespa,

but standing by a bicycle.

Either way she looked pretty cool in her boots.

Unlike her male companion. Who can only wear tennis shoes on a bike.

I digress.

The women of Italy

rock their boots. 

This gal?

High maintenance.

But great legs in her boots.

I was sorely tempted to purchase a pair.

because, you see,

I did not bring boots to walk in.

I brought walking shoes. Which really didn't do me much good as far as comfort was concerned.

But I bet these boots would have helped. And I would have looked good.

Alas, my price range was about right for these:

and I passed.

So, I guess I'll have to be all about the boots in the U.S.A....

xo

Lynn

Italia

Well, hello, friends. 

Or should I say, "Buona Sera!"

Good evening!

I am now fluent in ordering coffee in italian.

"Caffe Late, decafianato, per farvore."

That's all one really needs when in Italy.

And a camera.

I am a little overwhelmed with putting pictures together, as there are several hundred to go through. At the same time, I MISS BLOGGING and really want to show you the sights! So, I'll do a little at a time.

First of all, I have to tell you that my daughter is doing fabulously well. So well, in fact, that when I left her, I cried like a baby as I knew a chapter in her life had definitely closed and she is on to bigger and better things in life. A good thing to be sure, but as a mom, well, tears are acceptable now and then.

On to the pictures:

We had a very uneventful flight and I loved every minute of staying put for 10 hours. Even if it was a little cramped. When my sister and I arrived, we acted like we had been shot up with jet fuel and walked 10-12 hours a day for the next three days taking in everything we could. Let's just say cobblestones are not kind to the feet. 

This is the view outside our hotel room. Every morning, we would throw open the window and see how the city was coming to life. We would judge the weather from what everyone was wearing. Mostly warm coats, hats, scarves..it was cold!

This is outside the Duomo, in the main square.

My sister and I traveled very well together. Even when she got food poisoning. Have you ever cleaned up apple barf from your sister before? I'll save that story for later.

Florence is a bustling city, but there is unique feel of community.

My all time favorite part of each day was 5 o'clock.

Every one stops in to the many different Pasticcerias and has a cookie of some sort and some coffee. Most people stand at a bar and partake of the evening's offerings, but we would always sit so we could watch the people.

This is a Bombolino.

Otherwise known as a slice of heaven.

These are creme filled, but they also come filled with Nutella.

Yum.

Or Apricot. I think the Nutella was better.

The biscotti aren't too shabby, either.

Everyone gets a treat at 5 o'clock!

This was an especially beautiful bar area. We made friends with the Barista and he showed us the best treats in the case. I think we went back 3 times.

Just another fabulous cup of coffee.

Word for the day:

SHAKERATE.

(shak-er-roll the r-a-te)

Hot espresso put into a martini shaker with ice and sugar.

Shaken, not stirred.

Poured into a beautiful glass.

Perfection.

Paired with carote torta? (carrot cake)

Priceless.

I'm wondering if you are bored silly with vacation photos by now.

No? Great, 'cause I'm just getting started!!!!

Next up-

It's all about the boots, baby.

xoxo

for now,

Lynn

update 2

And I love......

Iced Shakerate, thrift stores, old book stores, sunny, warm, spring days.

Gelato, fresh strawberries, taxis, buses, and not walking 10 hours in a day.

Having Lauren with us, elderly Italian men, and watching people from around the world.

Shutters, yellow paint, rod iron, cemeteries, statues, silversmiths, dusk over the river, and sitting on a bench. Italian pizza, tomatoes and mozzarella cheese.

Olive oil and balsamic vinegar.

Sleep.

Nicer than nice people behind the desk at the hotel.

Wondering what to expect in Venice.

Ciao, bellas!

how fast

How fast can I give you an update??? 

I'm in Lauren's apartment and have access to internet, so here goes!

I love Italy. I love the River Arno, coffee, gelato, pasta, and walking. I love laughing with my sister, walking uphill to a beautiful monastery, and walking into a church just in time for the rosary and being in the middle of all the lit candles.

I love working our way out of a ticket on the bus because we didn't stamp our ticket. It works to bat your eyelashes, look flustered and tell them they are not allowed to make you cry. Just in case you ever need to know....

I love the Italian language. It's musical and beautiful.

I love the bathtub in our room and the fact that I bought some killer bubble bath and after walking 10-12 hours I can soak for as long as I want.

I love yogurt and granola and bread and cheese for breakfast.

I love making friends with the barista by our hotel because we are there almost every day at 5 pm. A most magical hour because it is the time you stop and have coffee and "a little something." Bombolinos are going to be the death of me. Donuts filled with Nutella........

I love trying to find our way to our hotel at 10 pm and realizing we have walked a huge circle and are back at where we started and my sister says, "how did THAT happen????"

I love internet and being able to check in!!!!

Off for Gelato.

Ciao, Bella!!

One For The Road

I have to show you the best birthday present:

My friend, Robin, who knows me so well, found it at a garage sale!!!

It brought back memories from typing class in high school.

I did not type  on these typewriters, but not a whole lot had changed as I looked through the book!

Drills, standing up your typing book and flipping over the pages.

Trying to decipher all the things to be done on the document.

I still don't have the numbers down. I must have done o.k. with them in high school, otherwise I don't think I would have passed the class. No, I didn't cheat in typing. That was just sewing class.

Remember typing,

"Now is the time for all good men to come to the aide of their country"?

I wasn't so spectacular at letter heads, either. But I was pretty fast!

Did anyone give you this advice:

I don't think my fingers listened very well in high school. I'm just happy for the delete/backspace buttons on my computer.

I'm pretty much packed and ready to go. If I have access to a computer in Italy, I'll send some pictures to the blog. Otherwise, I'll see you at the end of the month.

CIAO!