Tuesday, October 18, 2005

[Fwd: Hello from Levanto]

Hello all again,

the trip is going really well, the weather has been beautiful and sunny until today when it clouded over a bit.

Since last bulletin we have left Florence and all the shopaholics [don't worry Gaye they tell me Milano is a shoppers paradise so there is a chance i will lash out yet]spent 3 nights in Lucca - a medieaval town surrounded by a wall. Very quaint cobbled, narrow sreets. Spent one day bike riding in the country, went to a Puccini concert in the old cathedral. Yesterday we took the train to Pisa and actually climbed the tower. The view from the top was great but it seems like we have climbed every bell tower in Italy! Certainly keeping fit we do so much walking every day and I even notice they have junk mail over here!
Today we arrived in Levanto and took a quick trip down to Portofino! This is where all the rich and famous hang out. It was beautiful and hard to believe that people actually live there. Wish I could email the photos but you will have to wait!! It was a photographer's mecca!

Speaking of the rich and famous, did I mention that we saw the Pope? He wast the speck in pink and white at St Peter's giving his weekly address. The zoom lens confirmed his identity. The vatican Museums have such a wealth of art it is obscene.

Tomorrow we start walking the Cinque Terre, Five hiside villages linked by a walking track with great views over the Mediterranean.

Now for some Italian culture. There are some things in Italy that are just not done "non si fa"

eg.Never drink cappaccino after breakfast

Do not ask for coffee "to go"

Do not put your hands on the table or touch your hair at the table

Never ever blow your nose on toilet paper

more non si fa next bulletin.

The group is "interesting" we had a dinner party in our apartment in Lucca and did some bonding. With so many Americans we are all starting to sound like them but not as loud.

That's it for now, dinnertime.

Love to all



Vicki

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