Here's a quick summary of the past two days (it starts slow, but I promise any entertaining end)...
Saturday:
We arrived by train around 2pm and were happy to find the apartment easily. The apartment itself is great - we need visitors! We have room for 6-8 people easy and were surprised to find a third bathroom.
We got unpacked and then went out to check out the surrounding area - mainly to find a place to eat later that night and the irish pub Brenna had mentioned. :) We did a zig-zag through the streets between the train station, our apt, the river, and the Duomo and were amazed at a couple things.
First, the number of shops, cafes, and ristorantes near us is impressive. We're going to eat crazy well as soon as we stop being afraid to embarrass ourselves by slaughtering the Italian language. :)
Second, the architecture, monuments, and statues are just plain awesome. It's a lively, beautiful city.
And third, speaking of beautiful...a ridiculous percentage of women here are just gorgeous! And it's not like they're all Italian. My theory is that beautiful women are more likely to travel. I should elaborate on that in another post. :)
Okay, so we found both a spot to eat and the irish pub (the fiddler's elbow). We changed and hit an outdoor ristorante, passing singers and bands in the streets... The food was outstanding and our waiter bonded with us as we all stared at a woman walking by while he took our order. We had to give it to him four times because he wanted to stay out and "enjoy the view" a bit. He hooked us up with 2 rounds of free limoncello. A return visit might be required. :)
So, now, filled with a ton of great food, vino, gelato, espresso, and limoncello we did what we had to do - we sought out the irish pub.
Despite "knowing where it was" we took a while to get there. We ordered a couple pints and commented on the slow night. A couple beers in and it looked like the beginning of the end of the night. Then a woman started talking to us...she was tired of being the only American and having to constantly explain herself about Bush (the president :) and our politics in general. This ploy worked...because now people wanted *us* to explain ourselves!
...another pint...
So there we are talkng to a guy from London who claims to have been the head of the eastern branch of the "British CIA." He was a very nice guy and we had a good talk. I'm pretty sure Rob and I convinced him that America was the best... :)
...another pint...
Now we run into a very drunk Iranian/American princess and her friiends. Seriously. They're also nice and I snapped a few pictures of them (with the British CIA guy) for them (I forgot my camera and am still kicking myself for it).
So now the bar is pretty happening and we're getting along well with the crowd when run into the Irish.
...another pint...
Sunday:
It's a group of Irish in town for one guy's wedding...who's also there (without the wife just a day after the wedding! Props to her!). Immediately it turns to politics and Rob and I again have to tell them that the US isn't crazy. They love us because we say we're Arsenal fans. We're having a great, rowdy time with them when the bartender actually tells us to keep it down because he's trying to call a cab for someone...it's after 2am - the bar is closed. Leave it to the Irish though - they know a bar open to half five and they want to "take the yanks!"
So...we go. Now we're at a very shady bar that required registration and drinking vodka red bulls and - get this - coronas with the Irish. I learn that a "kip" is slang for a sh*t heap.
...Vodka red bull... (Needed that one)
The ladies of the group are crazy drunk, but not as bad as one of the guys who pulls a Papodaca and falls down without really knowing it.
...Corona...
We outlast all the Irish except the new groom. He's enjoying giving us constant trash on a variety of topics as well as a couple drinks on us...
...Vodka red bull...
Finally we call it a night/morning...we bid farewell to the last remaining Irishman...the sun is rising. We have pt no pot idea where we are. We find a high point and see the duomo across the river. After a loooong journey we reach it and take a few moments to marvel it...
We then proceed to somehow get lost on the short remaining trip back and roll in about 9:30am... After a short sleep we're back up and back at the Irish pub drinking another pint and watching Arsenal take on Portsmouth. Arsenal wins 3-1 and they move into 2nd in the English Premier League.
After that we hit the local grocery store and I made some pasta for dinner... Seem fully recovered now and ready to start another fun day...ithink the next few will be a bit tamer, but we'll let you know!
Until then...ciao!
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3 comments:
Well, we have missed your posts, but this one almost makes up for the absence :) Your camera needs to be with you at all times, sir, crazy stuff happens around every corner in Florence...Italian television crazy.
Glad you've found a "local" hang out already, that was quick!
Hi Kipp,
Thanks for the update. We were waiting with bated breath as what the two of you were up to. Your stories are entertaining us to say the least. I am Rob's aunt and I want you to tell him we are thrilled that he is on this trip and are glad to hear he is having a good time. From an aunt's perspective(or should I say a mom's) I hope the both of you are getting enough sleep. Take care of yourselves. I want to see pictures of both of you.
Loved the update...glad you are enjoying Florence. DO take and send some pictures. And, have fun!
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