Italy... in Retrospect

Hello Hello Hello, Well, Italy was great. What follows is a brief sum up of our time out there and what we did after the post at the Internet cafe on my birthday. Hopefully I can also get some pictures in this one. Firstly, we have the incredible view of Florence from the Cupola of the Duomo (big cathedral there). Here you can see the famous Bell Tower of the same Cathedral and some of the city. Yes we climbed all the way up here, it was 483 steps in a small narrow confined stairwell behind some spanish group that stank of B.O. Poor Pat was claustrophobic and his knee really hurt afterwards, but all in all it was one hell of a view from the top. Here's one of Me and Pat on the Arno, I forget what bridge we were on but it was one of them. From the Ponte Vecchio most nights we'd sit and look out on the river at the lights and stars with a bottle or two of wine listening to the 2-3 guys they have there pandering to tourists and playing bittersweet romantic guitar/violin music and covers. Needless to say many convos about how much we missed our significant others were initiated and followed through at great length. Ooh the wine was also usually accompanied with delicious gelato... mmmm gelato, It's kind of like ice cream except totally different and extremely tasty. Here on the left is a picture of me with the Porcino, the bronze boar whose nose brings really good luck when rubbed (yes heather, I did rub it for you :) ). Behind me are the oodles of stands which you find EVERYWHERE in Florence. This time, unlike last, I was good with spending, I only really bought myself a little red-leather journal for writing in one day. I almost bought these rabbit lined golves but didn't in the end since i figured they'd be a waste of money. Unfortunately, most if not all the pictures from the Street Fair we went to in Tavarnelle (little town outside of Florence in the heart of Tuscan wine country) are on Katherine's camera so when I get those i'll try to post some. Below is a picture form our last day when we went to the Beach on the mediterranean at Viareggio. The water was beautiful and the beach wasn't too expensive either. Although I got an awful sunburn, it was a wonderful day, just exhausting, taking in that much sun and all. On the Non-Italian Front, Oxford is quite wonderful. We watched the england/portugal game today and wow, it was incredible how seriously the english take their football!!!! The city is awe-inspiring and tomorrow is an all dya field trip to Hampton Court Palace and the big hedge maze there, so that should be awesome, then we have a welcome bbq at St. Peter's College, which should also be awesomeness. Anyways I love you all and dont hesitate to call (best time 6-8 pm mtl time) or write to me (email or snail mail). Ciao, B