Goodbyes were difficult this morning. Goodbye to Cathy and David and Donna and David, goodbye to our beautiful villa, goodbye to charming Cortona (our adopted hill town)and goodbye to sleeping with the windows open, smelling that sweet Tuscan air!
Our trip to Arezzo was a speedy and easy one, in no small measure because of the GPS Italy card Matt gave Jim at Christmas. Arezzo is a larger, busy centre, but Jeelo brought us right to the front door of Europcar. We both breathed an enormous sigh of relief as the car was returned unscathed. Anyone who has driven in Italy knows of what I speak!!! I must compliment my husband on his calm and patient driving. The stress never showed in his demeanor, but his hands were plagued by cramps after a long drive. You get the picture, I am sure.
We were able to catch the 11:43 train (which departed at 11:43 on the second!) and then the realization that we were getting the chance to see Florence one more time set in. Excitement!
Our day was spent aimlessly wandering the beautiful streets, enjoying the architecture. For dinner we headed across the Ponte Vecchio to Oltrano and the little trattoria, Celestine, we enjoyed so much on our initial visit.
And then the magic began. Music and laughter lured us to the centre of the Ponte Vecchio. Two Italian musicians (looking like troubadours) were performing. And perform they did - from their microphones, sitting in the centre of the bridge, trailing alongside people out for an evening stroll, and even lying in the centre of the bridge! Bravos! Cheers! Laughter! We sat for well over an hour on the stony, hard curb loving every moment of it. In the distance the lights of Florence sparkled on the Arno River. Pure magic! And good for the soul!
Tomorrow, we get to watch the train station arrivals/departures board flip over the destination, Venice, (wow!) and we will be on our way!
Caio!
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