(no subject)

We managed to ditch the over-60 part of our group for most of the past two days. Me, my brother, my cousin and her two kids have wandered Florence with much success. Now if only it were less than 85 degrees. I'm on a three-shower-a-day schedule.

Tonight we catch a train back to Milan. Tomorrow we see the Duomo, then my cousin and I hit the grocery store with a vengance. Tomorrow night is the huge family dinner, where I shall be miserably wearing a suit. Friday we spend at a lake outside of Milan. Saturday I fly back.

Sunday: Highlander and presents!

Random bits

Last night I got directions that would only work here: "Turn left after the black man"

In Italy, a skintight white shirt with an image of Sylvester the Cat in rhinestones is a perfectly acceptible fashion choice for a heterosexual adult male.

The typical Italian dinner:

1. Make plans to meet in the Lobby at 7pm.
2. Actually get going at 7:15pm
3. Walk 19 blocks to get to a resturant that is 5 blocks from the hotel.
4. Stare at the all-italian menu stupidly (What's Faggotini?)
or
Stare at the all-english menu stupidly (What's pasta with potato inside? Gnocchi?)
5. Order appetizer, first and second courses. (For 13 people)
6. Watch all 13 dishes come out odd in some way.
7. Eat.
8. Dessert.
9. Coffee.
10. Limoncello. (Lemon liquer)

Note that each step is followed by 20 minutes of conversation, so you finish close to midnight. People may stop once or two more times for coffee on the way back to the Hotel.