Before I say anything I need to preface by starting back in Paris.
When we arrived the weather was nice.
But I still wore my boots because it was slightly chilly.
Further into our stay the weather got progressively warmer, so I put on my flip-flop/sandals.
I noticed people on the street began glancing at my feet every so often but didn’t think much of it.
I just thought maybe they admired my completely original footwear:)
Though, I did note most people wore close toed shoes.
Well, each day became more obvious so I mentioned it to Jared.
He was like “
Oh you’re reading into it. These people aren’t looking at your feet! Maybe it’s cuz they like your feet?”
Ha!
When we got to Prague people did it there too!
At this point Jared started noticing it!
So when we met up with that sister I asked her if people wore sandals here because so many people stared at my feet.
She said “Yes, people wear them…but not until summer.”
I said “But its 70 degrees out!” She says “Yes, but its April. People don’t start wearing them until June or July.”
In my mind, I thought it was silly.
Surely an entire continent cannot feel this way.
So I just continued my sandal-wearin’ ways.
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| This is our view from our apart |
We got to Venice on Saturday, stayed one night and arrived in Florence last night. The Italians did not stare at my feet, they shot daggers at them! I thought they were going to spit on me. They looked at me like I was walking around with no pants on! Jared said when we were walking out of the restaurant last night a group of people at a table were staring at my feet with such disdain. So I put my boots on today despite the fact that its 72 degrees out thinking I’d just fix the problem! Well, Tanya and mom noticed people staring at me still! I’m so confused! Don’t worry guys, I’m on it. I’m going to get to the bottom of this mystery!
Point #2: The Italians. They don’t seem real thrilled to see us and they are not so forgiving to those who do not speak their language. They seem very annoyed that you expect them to speak English in their county, even when we try to speak the few Italian words we’ve picked up. I understand, I can’t blame them but all of us have become scared. Last night at the restaurant we wanted to go in and get a table. However, the place was really small and totally packed. We were all unsure so we stood outside looking through the window trying to decide. An Italian man standing outside the restaurant waiting to be seated says to me “You want reservation? You must walk in, be firm and tell them what you want! Don’t think about it just do it!” So I did. The food was less than perfect, unfortunately. Thanks a lot Stick Reves! (I said that earlier meaning Rick Steves. We had a good laugh.)
Point #3: Since the Italians formed a mob last night with people holding signs that had a big red “X” over sandals, we ran and were safe at home by 11:00pm. We then relaxed on the couch and discussed all the things we needed to see while we were in Florence. By this point it was approaching 1am. Tanya and Jared talked back and forth about the days we had here. Jared said “Oh Tanya you missed Wednesday. We’ll be here too.” All of a sudden we heard a voice. An American voice, (that sounded a little gay) was coming out of the walls responding to all the things we were saying. He said “…you’re right. You did miss Wednesday…” and continued talking about all the things that we had been saying. Giving us advice on what to see and saying “…but since you’re still on US time maybe you should go here instead…” Jared whispered “It’s a demon!” He was so frightened he actually thought that it was. Tanya turned white. It was a lil spooky. Then he started saying “I have to wake up at 4:30am to catch a flight so if you guys could please shut up I’d appreciate it!” He was our neighbor and he was talking to us through our front door. Apparently our walls are really thin cuz he heard everything we said. After he stopped talking we began whispering to each other trying to comprehend what just took place. I think we were so happy it wasn’t a gay demon that we began laughing. Mom was laughing so hard I thought she was going to pee her pants. It’s really hard trying to laugh quiet, take a sip of wine and eat peanuts all at the same time, I dunno what she was thinking.
Tanya: I just thought I would say a few words of my own for all my fans:)
The trip to Venice was a piece of cake, don’t worry Uncle Billy, Aunt Teri is safe with me.
After 18 hours of sweating on planes, trains and automobiles, seeing Laura and Jared was such a relief.
So exciting.
Venice was good, Lido was even better, but Florence……that’s where the beautiful men are at.
Oh ya the sights are great, and the countryside is beautiful, but the people are downright spectacular, especially the men.
I never thought Jwoww and I had much in common, besides the fact we can’t sand Sammie, but I was wrong.
I have now jumped on the Guido train people!
Oh for those of you who said to me before I left “Tanya, you are way too tan” there is no such thing here. The mannequins are even spray tanned.
Totally worth the skin cancer, sorry mom.
Denise, safe to say you have to be without me for a lil bit longer, but I am trying to find you the perfect gift, hope that makes up for your lack of social life.
Mom, wish you were here. Aunt Teri and I were so sad to leave you behind, but we will get back here some day and will be a little wiser when it comes to the fashion……I came to realize what my style is isn’t style at all.
Would it kill these people to build an Old Navy around here? That’s all for now, Ciao!
Before we left Florence we visited the Accademia Museum where Michelangelo’s sculpture of David is. Honestly, since we’ve been in Europe we’ve seen more statues and sculptures than what’s necessary. So we wondered what the big fuss was with “David” and what made it so special. Well, when you see it, you realize how spectacular it is. First off, it’s HUGE! Way bigger than anything else like it. We figured out an average person would come up to his thigh. Second, the muscles, veins and tendons are so detailed and real! We learned the piece of marble was given to Michelangelo by the church. It was the first time a depiction of David was not in a victorious pose. Instead, Michelangelo made him have a look of “intense contemplation” after his victory over Goliath. It wasn’t that he was relying on his own strength to kill Goliath (like had been shown in previous depictions) but rather in his “intellect and innocence”. Pssh! Bunch of dummies! They almost had it.
Three hours and three trains later (yeah, we prefer the most complicated route possible) we arrive in the Cinque Terre. The second we stepped out of the train we wished we had come earlier or stayed longer. This place it AWESOME! But only if you like lemon trees, pastel buildings that hang off the side of a cliff, and the Mediterranean crashing below. If you had one opportunity to visit a single place in Europe, I’d say visit the Cinque Terre. Oh man it’s beautiful. It was so warm today we all got sunburned, and it felt great. The weather report said it was supposed to rain and it sprinkled for 15 seconds. Ha! The water is beautiful, the people are polite and we can actually understand the transportation. Our apartment is the best place we have stayed and it came with a sweet old couple who hardly knew any English. They were really accommodating. I never thought I could appreciate good water pressure before today. It will be sad to say goodbye to Mom and Tanya tomorrow. Not sure where we are going to stay the next two nights before we head off to Spain. 
Tanya: I have had a great time in Italy. I’m so sad we have to leave so soon. All I have to say is there is nothing better than family and good memories. I will tell you all the details when I get back to the states. Mom you better be there to get me at the airport or I will keep all you gifts for me! XOXO
