August 30th, 2015
Our whirlwind trip continued on Sunday morning, when we made what was maybe our most extensive trek to Sunday church ever - 20 minutes by Vaporetto boat, a few minutes by train, a 10 minute walk, and a 30 minute drive (no, we definitely did not make it on time). Venice is such an amazing place, and we all loved it. But bustling Venice in the summer time with toddlers is a different sort of vacation - the sweaty, crazy, cranky, amazing, unique kind.
Personally, Venice was an interesting place in the sense that it made me a little sad to see it in its current state. It's a one of a kind city with some of the most consistently stunning, decadent architecture and the most unique city design I've ever seen, and it was once the center of an enormous, thriving business empire. But as we walked the streets in the early evening, I couldn't help but notice how 95% of the windows were dark, the apartments and buildings abandoned. I think only 50,000 permanent residents remain, an incredible drop since its peak, and in some ways it felt like just a giant tourist attraction, which I know is a sad state for residential Venetians. But I guess that's why you travel - to see amazing things, empathize with other cultures and, of course, ride on boats.
Quickly became a natural on the ferry.
Church in Italy! Always so fun to visit local wards and branches in foreign countries - highlights to previous trips to France and Africa. This was the local branch in Padova, where we made a splash as the American family shuffling into the crowded chapel half an hour late. But everyone was so nice and welcoming, and the kids played with little Italian kids and we made small talk with folks depending on their English. (The American missionaries seemed really excited to speak English.) I felt pretty proud of myself because a couple people asked if I spoke Italian - I guess I got along ok with the minimal basics. Someone asked what I do for a living, and so I just guessed and went with the Spanish word, "abrogado", which I guess worked because it sounded close enough to the Italian word, "Advocato", which sounds amusingly like "avocado".
The drive from Venice to Florence was surprisingly stunning. I guess we shouldn't say that it was surprising that the Italian countryside was beautiful, but more than a few times I looked around and thought, "Am I in Montana?" Loved every minute of it!
Finally we arrived in Florence, CheyAnn's former Italian home! For this leg of the trip, we stayed in the family home of our Home Exchange friend, Sabrina, who has two little boys. Sabrina is an architect and designer, and it was definitely apparent inside of her beautiful home, which was nestled in the hills about 10 minutes outside of the city, with gorgeous views!
Not so long ago, CheyAnn was a young Southern California college girl, whose Jeep was totaled in an accident and decided the best way to use the insurance payout was to pack it all up and move to Italy! I love that story. She spent a few months living in Florence as her home base while taking classes on architecture, art history, and photography, and returning to Florence with her was one of the most exciting things we've done together.
Being a designer herself, CheyAnn naturally loved it and couldn't stop taking pictures.
After a week in hotels and AirBnBs, the kids were delighted to stay in a real home and play with the little Italian boys' toys.
The home had no air-conditioning, but was constructed with thick concrete walls that kept it cool. It had a few of these cool little port windows.
"Welcome, American Friends"
View from the balcony!
In Florence! First of all, pretty proud of myself for navigating driving in Florence like a pro and finding superb parking, but that's another story. Our first stop was outside of the Santa Maria Novella, where we gathered with the locals for some street music.
The Perfumeria at Santa Maria Novella, which has been selling perfume for 400 years!!!!
Dinner at Ristorante Vincanto, next to the Santa Maria Novella. My parents and siblings ate here several years ago and loved it, and insisted that we go there for them, and we loved it too!
Outside of CheyAnn's favorite gelateria in the city, Gelateria Carraia. When she was a student here, CheyAnn became an expert on all of the gelato places in Florence, and expertly identified this as the best one. And for good reason. It was INCREDIBLE gelato! I think we went there 4 or 5 times in 3 days. SO fun!
World's best chocolate gelato is best enjoyed - all over yourself. Go for it, buddy. Do your thing!
Lovely downtown Florence at night. So peaceful and beautiful.
