July 1 - Arrived Safely (into another world)

Wow!  What a difference!  Going from grimy, noisy Rome to perfect, clean, peaceful Forte dei Marmi in one day is liable to give you whiplash!  After a protracted process getting our rental car, a challenging game of Jenga as Jack tried to shimmy all of our possessions and all of our children into a Fiat and a hair raising drive out of the city of Rome, we found ourselves on a very pleasant tour through the hills of Tuscany.  There was much whining from the cheap seats in the back but we handed out iPads and everyone promptly shut the h#ll up!

I wish I could adequately describe the seating arrangements in the car - not one child could put their feet down due to bags on the floor and most also had a bag or pillow on their laps!  Jack travelled for 4 hours with the stroller between his legs!  Too much stuff!! We made it though and vowed to pack lighter next time!

After we checked out our place, we walked out for an aperitivo in the town.  It is Fifth Avenue meets South Beach!  Most of the 10 x 3 block 'downtown' is closed to vehicular traffic.  Young and old are decked out in their designer-finest and riding their beautifully appointed cruiser bikes.  I saw a very chic couple in their 70's roll up on their bikes, have an aperitivo then, hop back on their bikes and head to dinner!  Shift dress, heels, full coif - the whole bit!  Amazing!  

After an aperitivo and dinner, we stopped in on a 'fair' of sorts.  No food or tchotchkes - just carnival rides geared to the younger set.  They also have small electric cars that go fairly fast and they let kids have at it around a traffic circle.  It's closed to cars but there are still plenty of things to hit.  No way would thus fly in the U.S.!!  Jacqui loved it! 

I missed being in Canada on Canada Day  though!!  Thinking of you all!! Xo