"We're gonna need gelato after this one" has become a common phrase between Katie and I. A long hike up millions on stairs, long waits spent in lines, mishaps or bumps in the road; whenever we need a little pick me up our good old Italian friend Gelato always seems to help us through.
I can't believe that it's been almost three weeks since Katie and I have been traveling. Five destinations down, and two more to go. Time really is such a funny concept. Since I've been in europe, my thinking hasn't been in hours or minutes, but in hotels, trains, and euros. The days of week become insignificant, and I've lost track of any concept of time of day. In the states we are so concerned with the time of day, it becomes to run our lives. We are constantly watching the clock and scheduling everything around it. What time to wake up, Appointments, when to eat and what to eat, errands to run, it all must have the "perfect" timing.
There are many things I have learned from traveling in Europe, but one main thing is that time means nothing. Trains can be delayed, you eat when your hungry ( or when you want a mid day gelato break), the sunsets at 10pm-therefore you have no bedtime, and there is no concept of a quick meal- eating is always an experience in it's own.
I have thoroughly enjoyed Italia. Florence is overwhelming in every sense of it's destination. To walk the cobblestone streets, past churches, and buildings that have been around for hundreds of years, to see statues, paintings, and structures constructed by some of the most talented and historic artists lived, everything is absolutely mind blowing.
Katie and I stayed in florence for five days at this family owned B&B. The man who owned it has traveled all over, originally from Venice then decided to moved to the states and had spent some time in San Diego( another small world coincidence), then made his way back to Italy, and has settled in Florence for the past 11 years. A very soft spoken man, always with a his golden retriever by his side. We stayed on the third floor in a double room- no lift, which is perfect for our gelato and pizza habit. The room was perfect. Comfortable bed, private bathroom, and floor to ceiling windows that opened toward one of the main plazas.
I always find that some of my favorite parts of the cities we travel to is wandering the streets people watching and simply exploring. Although we saw some amazing sites, the Duomo, the Ufizi museum, and picturesque views of Florence, I love feeling that I'm apart of the area rather than just another tourist invading. Within each city I've developed certain goals. During my stay in Florence my few goals to accomplish included :
-Try all authentic Italian cuisine such as pasta , pizza, gnocchi, and gelato of course...
Results: goal accomplishment..Many , many times =)
After two hours, two trips, and some decisive choices, Katie and I booked two tickets to Paris, with one stop in Milan. Because of train prices and availability, we had to stay one night in Milan ( poor us right? Having to stay in the fashion capital of the world). One room right next to the train station in Milan, and a day spent absorbing the rich and fashionable city, we were off at 6:45 am to Paris. I'm so excited for Paris, we have five nights, 6 days in the romantic city. As a new must, my to do list is made for katie and I to execute. We a few must see's, foodie to do's, and experience inserts. My top to do for katie and I is to share a bottle of champagne and baguette under the eiffel tower- clique I know, but it's Paris! The weather seems that it's going to be cooler in Pari, around 10 degrees cooler than Florence, even a chance of rain. I believe the change of weather will be refreshing.
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