Graz”EE” ain’t no Yahtz”EE”

After the program, I was fortunate enough to have my mom and aunt come out and visit for a week, and it’s been a MisAdventure, to say the least. We began our trip back in Rome, where I was. It was there where my career as a tour guide began. Saturday night we went to the Spanish Steps Via del Corso, Piazza del Poppolo and dined al-fresco right next to the Piazza.

Sunday we went all around Rome. I took them to the Vatican, St. Peters, Pantheon, Wedding Cake, Colosseum, Via del Corso, Palotine Hill. I opted to not hold my umbrella up for the crowd, and ear pieces weren’t required on my tour. I’m rather quick and efficient. Saw all that was necessary and barely missed the Pope because we went inside St. Peters instead of waiting outside.

The real fun began Monday, when we rented our car to do Tour di Toscana. The cab took us too the sticks where the car rental was, and we loaded our “big” car with all our luggage. Packed and ready, headed north toward Siena. We smoothly made our way to the right freeway and as we were nearing the area where we needed to exit for Siena, we were looking for signs. At one point my mom said “40” and for some reason my aunt thought that was code for Siena, so she Nascar-ed her way off the freeway! 40 was merely the speed limit, but thankfully it was the correct way to Siena.

Visited w the Zampis, where I played interpreter for an hour. It was nice to see my family away from family again, and they were happy to see me too! We walked around Siena, ate a late lunch and went up to Florence in the dark. Another Nascar maneuver by my aunt was when we missed an exit for our hotel, and she thought it brilliant to flip a U on the highway at the toll....where sirens began to sounds and we thought we were BUSTED! Luckily not.

We got a little lost, called the hotel numerous times, and then discovered we were staying where the hills have eyes. Next to the river where there seemed to be no guests in the hotel, and the service wore butler suits, a bit eerie.

Our bellboy was very prompt, and was also our waiter waiting at the top of the stairs saying [insert Chinese-Italian accent here], “ Hi, I am ready.” Tuesday explored Florence, Wednesday drove to Bologna where it was frigid, yet quaint. Continued my search for leather boots, no luck.

Today, we left Firenze, and went to Lucca, a charming little town surrounded by a big wall.

Got some great finds....no boots. Although I found 2 pair that would be killer, but since I'm a relative of BigFoot, I wasn't able to get them.

Then we began our trek to Rome. 4 hours later, and through the pouring rain, we made it to Rome.

Took our car to the airport and had a cab take us to dinner....unfortunately, it was a business deal for him since he took us to a friends restaurant that was only fish!

Now those who know my mom and aunt, their palates are only satisfied by the most plain tasting foods, and they steer clear from fish!

My last meal was gnocchi w/ mussels, I can't get over their little black feet that look like eyes.

To top it off, the cab driver wrote his call back number on a bill for "Chick Chick Boom: Lounge Show and Lap Dances," and picked us up in his personal vehicle--red flag numero 1, and took us to what looked like a place to take advantage of us, but he brought us home safely. and Now I'm about to fall asleep in a hotel where I can hear the man next door snoring up a storm.

Luxuries of Traveling!

Tomorrow: London...more [mis]Adventures soon!

x

t.

...and: "if you really want more...scream it out louder:

Usher - More (RedOne Jimmy Joker Remix) by djraize