We arrived in Florence and it was late in the afternoon and a dreary rainy day. The line for the cab was nutty but luckily went fast and the girls were again just perfect little travelers. I mean really perfect. Like traveling with buddy. Ugh feel so blessed. Anyway, we all just settled in to our apartment (which is also perfect) and Dada ran out and got some quick things from the grocery so I can make little dinner and we can all just rest. That is exactly what rainy dreary days are for.

Will bought this beauty from the grocery store in Florence. It kicks the percolators butt. It brews the coffee by boiling the water up through the grinds and then the water comes through the top part. It is fast and makes coffee the color of oil (just how i like it). It is essential at the moment (refer to recent posts below). Will is now up and sipping his coffee. Time to get ready for another day of exploring :). Thankful that with all the lack of sleep the girls are both miraculously in brilliant moods. It is truly baffling. Oh, and it turns out Will said he went to bed at 5am (suppose someone has to pay the bills). This means he really only had 1 more hour of sleep than me. Guess we’re in it together (see post below). C O F F E E.

This afternoon we headed out of Rome and boarded a high speed train to Florence. Will booked us business class tickets and for about 120.00 we had 4 comfy seats and relaxed for the 1 1/2 ride. The journey to the train sure was interesting. We were dropped off in front of the station with 3 large bags, 2 carry on, and two kids. See posts below about the gypsies and now flash forward two days and Will is playing a different tune. A woman walked up to me and grabbed my two carry on bags that i was rolling stacked on top of each other while carrying Sabs and having Pookie hold on to my shirt. She said she insisted on helping me and that her and her husband have two young girls also so she knows how hectic it can be to travel. We started chatting a bit and her husband got on the train a few cars before us. I told her no worries i can handle it the rest of the way but she insisted on walking us all the way to our seats. Will is skeptical and keeps looking back now thinking it is some sort of scam and i am about to lose our luggage to this lady who is going to take off and make a run for it. I am laughing in my head b/c I know all that is going through his mind and how quickly the game has changed from his non skeptical attitude to this don’t trust anyone current mindset. Turns out my nice lady was actually just that, a nice lady. She helped me to our train car, smiled and went on her way.

Dada on the other hand had two guys dressed like a porters grab his bags to put them on the train (he was carrying two large duffles on his back and rolling our third piece of luggage, oh and also carrying a laptop case). Will gave him a few dollars and figured he would be on his way. He came back. He asked for more. Will said no, I just gave you and you grabbed my bags, i didnt even want you to help. He didn’t leave. Will gave him some more money. I think about 5.00 or 10.00 (all the dude did was put the bag from the platform into the car). He asked for more. Will said NO, go. He left. His friend came and said he wanted money too. Will said go talk to your other friend. He didn’t leave. Will said NO. He left. All of this was mostly done in hand gestures since they were speaking Italian and we were speaking English. I think Will left Rome twitching. He sat down on the train and declared from here on in no one will touch the bags. He is refusing all help.  I will laugh bout this endlessly inside.

Florence really hasn’t been like this at all. For me, Rome seemed more like Time Square and Florence more like Brooklyn. We had such a fun day in Rome and loved the hotel as well, but I don’t think our family would enjoy an extended stay there. It is way too busy with too many people. Florence on the other hand is a perfect mix. I really love it here.

Anyway. on to some pics from our train ride. PS (It is now 10am and Sabs is awake again from a quick 1/2hr power nap. Will is still sleeping. Sophie has moved on from breakfast to chocolate. Whew and people complain about setting clocks back an hour. This 8hr time change is butt kickin. Im sending Sophie in to wake Will- muhahahahaha. I just said Sophie go in and wake dada, she said, “is the coffee ready?”. Haha! Wise beyond her years).

Sabs is now watching Elmo’s world right next to my ear. Elmo’s voice combined with sleep deprivation should be used for torturing criminals. Sophie is talking about the game she is playing and something about flying away from the family and getting stuck in the ocean. I am in the middle on the bed. The bed is about the queen size. They are pushed so close to me we could all easily be laying in a twin bed. Will needs to be woken up. I gave him just enough time to sleep so that I can complain later in the day that he had more sleep than me and therefore has to handle the doodie diaper, or the crying baby, or whatever the day may bring. Yes i thought this out. Well it is good to know that if I forgo sleep i can catch up on the blog…so there’s that :).

We walked from our hotel to a beautiful park and had our first meal out in Italy. It was Yummo! The girls were so good and charming that the restaurant gave them a free dessert. Pookie let out a burp that sounded like it came from a 300lb man. Everyone at the table behind us turned and looked at Will. He pointed to pooks with a smile and they all busted out laughing. Too much sparkly water will do it to ya. PS (At 7am this the morning both girls were up. Sabs finally went to bed at 3:30am last night (see post below). It is 9am and she is currently zonking out on top of my right arm. Pooks is eating breakfast. Will is still asleep. This sure is an interesting schedule we are on).