Vacanze

It's been a while since I've done a post for a few reasons. The most enjoyable of which is that Gino, another couple and I took a little min-vacation in Tuscany where there was no internet. We had an amazing time. The food was delicious, the wine was incredible and I think I must have eaten a whole cow, a whole pig, and a whole sheep while we were gone. We took a night time trip to Montepulciano, a place that I must go back to in the summer. Apparently they have several torture museums, so I can feel my fascination with the macabre while enjoying everything else the town has to offer. There are many things to love about Tuscany. The rolling hills, the tranquility, the farm life, the small cities, the culture, and as I mentioned before the fresh food and wine that is to die for.
 We went to some thermal pools near Sienna for a relaxing afternoon. I left feeling rejuvenated, and then we drove on to Sienna to stop for some shopping and a light snack. I saw the Balenciaga that I've been lusting over in a store. I couldn't even bring myself to properly try it out. Maybe by the end of the summer I will have saved enough to treat myself.

Our ride for the road trip,  the beast.

The view from our bed and breakfast.

'Life is too short to drink bad wine.'

This must be what heaven looks like.

Lunch time noms, this is seconds before the wind made me spill two glasses of wine.

Thermal pools that have been in use in the region since medieval times.

Sienna!

After a couple of days in Tuscany, we headed into Florence. Gino and his friend had some business meetings, so us girls had some free time to do some sight seeing. We went to the Uffizi, and Gino and I got to spend a cozy night at his parent's house watching Italian T.V. alone together. This for us is a rare treat. Over all the trip was really relaxing and enjoyable (although next time it would be nice to have just the two of us.)

The relaxation ended almost immediately after we drove back into the campsite. It's already starting to be the high tourist season, and every night we have groups adding up to about 300 or more people for dinner. For the most part right now they're school groups, and it's been rather taxing. I never even liked teenagers when I was one. These are a particular brand of rude Spanish teenagers who have no respect for their surroundings or the staff. Every night when we closed the bar they would run around for about half an hour screaming out chants and screaming for more music while banging their hand and feet on any possible surface. Not at all pleasant.

Yesterday I had a job interview for a souvenir shop in Vatican City. After finally getting rid for the teenagers at 3:30, we got home and to bed at about 4. I had to get up at 9 am to go to the interview. The man who I was supposed to meet was more than 20 minutes late, and I ended up having to do the interview with his sister, who didn't speak English. This was incredibly frustrating as I had to stand outside in the hot sun for 30 minutes, while a man started stalking me in the Vatican. I made the mistake of making eye contact with him, and then he circled around me and followed me for 25 minutes. Then he slowly made his way up beside me and said 'Waiting for something.' I gave him a dirty look, nodded, and decided to wait for my interview inside the shop. I'm not sure if I will take the job if I get it. Even though I complain about working in the restaurant for various reasons, I honestly don't think I'll be able to get another job that gives me the same flexibility this summer.

After waiting around for a half an hour, being hungry and tired and too hot in my interview outfit, Gino had said he would come pick me up and we would go for lunch. After the interview I phoned and he said that he was 30 minutes away and I should take the transit and call from the train station. After this he was still far away and I ended up taking the bus back to the campsite. I was slightly infuriated at this point. Dealing with tourists, and my boyfriends ever changing plans after 5 hours of sleep and no breakfast made me extremely grouchy. Then having to wait for Gino in the campsite for another hour sent me over the edge. I had a huge melt down about how I always have to wait for him and he never does what he says he will. This was totally unfair and caused a huge fight between us because if he changes the plan it because of work, and without his job we wouldn't be in the comfortable position we are now. It's hard to have to deal with the constant last minute plan changes, and always waiting around, but this is my challenge as the first lady, and I have to grin and bare it to stay with my workaholic Italian Stallion.

Oh well, every couple has their challenges, I suppose ours is a combination of impatience and workaholism.

To end the post on a much happier note, here are my brand new Gucci sandals purchased on the way home from Florence, enjoy:

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