Another very hot day in the mid-90s. Rebecca and fam were coming in by train today from Napoli and picking up their car to drive to the farmhouse they’ve rented a bit south of Firenze in the Tuscan countryside. We made plans to meet and have a bite before they headed out. I took the bus to the station and scoped out places to eat, and realized there were nice sidewalk cafes around Piazza Santa Maria Novella, the beautiful church that lends its name to the train station. I still had time before their 2:45 arrival, but it was too hot to just hang out somewhere, so I saw a Burger King across from the station and knew I was set with good A/C. Just to complete the picture I ordered a grilled chicken sandwich and sat around, until their power went out and the store started to get some smoke from the turned-off grills that couldn’t be exhausted. So I went into the station, waited for their train to arrive, and surprised them by meeting them at the door of their coach – great to see them all again!
We walked over to a café where everyone had a virgin mojito, except me who had a spritz. I also ordered a Florentine favorite of coccoli and prosciutto. Coccoli are small balls of dough fried in olive oil, and traditionally served with ham and a creamy fresh cheese called stracchino – wonderful and I’ve not had it before. Bill left to pick up their rental car, and we got ourselves together to meet him. I told him about the prohibited zone in central Firenze which does not allow unauthorized cars, but he thinks he may have passed the sign while coming to meet us. If so, a picture was taken and the fine will go the rental company.
I took the bus home and was wrung out from the heat, got into the apartment, turned on the A/C and have been sitting and reading for a couple of hours. I’m going to make pasta for dinner tonight and continue to relax – after all, with no school I’m now officially on vacation (per Rebecca)..
We walked over to a café where everyone had a virgin mojito, except me who had a spritz. I also ordered a Florentine favorite of coccoli and prosciutto. Coccoli are small balls of dough fried in olive oil, and traditionally served with ham and a creamy fresh cheese called stracchino – wonderful and I’ve not had it before. Bill left to pick up their rental car, and we got ourselves together to meet him. I told him about the prohibited zone in central Firenze which does not allow unauthorized cars, but he thinks he may have passed the sign while coming to meet us. If so, a picture was taken and the fine will go the rental company.
I took the bus home and was wrung out from the heat, got into the apartment, turned on the A/C and have been sitting and reading for a couple of hours. I’m going to make pasta for dinner tonight and continue to relax – after all, with no school I’m now officially on vacation (per Rebecca)..