…a brief glance…

Hi all…

After almost two weeks in Rome, I am now in Florence. I arrived early this afternoon and after a short and apprehensive walk from the station, I arrived at Hotel Puerta Faenza. It only took about 7 people’s help for directions but I got here. Thankfully it is nice and clean. It is in the centre of Florence, so it is only a hop, skip and a jump away from the markets and surrounding stuff. I checked out the Markets and will explore a little later in the afternoon.

I am meeting up with Cristina tomorrow and have thought about staying an extra day so I can take a special tour to the Tower of Pisa. It feels like I’m in Italy now and it’s AWESOME. I am having a blast. Though I am on my own today I am looking forward to exploring on my own. And yes I will be careful of pick-pockets. They’d be terribly disappointed with what they would find in my pocket anyway.

I will see Lorena in a few days and I can’t wait. It feels like it’s been so long since I have seen her and Cristina, and I have missed them both. Tomorrow Cristina’s english will be practised the whole day as I know my Italian will be tested.

Unfortunately the only Italian I learned was from my Ate Grace’s godchild Arin Matthew, who can I just say is the most adorable two year old I have ever seen. He is as round as a ball. He is so sweet and so mabait. Now that he knows who I am…I miss him already and I was only hugging him to death last night. In my last few days at Rome I was adopted by the Cupcupin Family….true to his name Cupcupin, Kuya Ferdie took me in after I freaked out about a cockroach infestation where I was at. There I was treated like family, and I was able to get to know Ate Grace’s, Kuya Ferdie, Ate Len-Len and nephew Arin Matthew. They were great and I will eternally be grateful for their hospitality.

NB: for Ate Grace, next time you’re on the phone to Kuya Ferdie C. Ask him to put Arin on ask him his name, you will get something like…. “My name is A-in Machooo Putpuin” – so ADORABLE!!!

Okay, now that my cluckiness has passed….

I went to visit the rest of the touristy places I wanted to see in Rome, like the Piazza Venezia, which I climbed to the top. I also spent the afternoon at the Sistine Chappel. Nige, I took photos of the ceiling for you and you should know that I was reprimanded by one of the guards who said, no flashes in the building… blah blah!

Ummm….what else? Well, I was supposed to leave for Florence yesterday, but there was a Bin Ladin Threat, so I was strongly advised not to travel. So I didn’t. Instead I spent the day watching Kuya Ferdie cook which was really good. Not that I learned anything… I also played with Arin. Have I mentioned how cute he is???

Anyways…just spoke to Lorena and Cristina. I will be seeing Cris in the morning, and Lorena on Thursday. Can’t wait.

I hope all is well with everyone. I miss you all very much.

Love Lots… Muwahhhh