Together in Florence

Well, no trip is without some hiccups and I guess it was Taylor’s turn. After a mechanical delay and a reroute to Detroit, Taylor arrived in Antibes a day late. 

Of course I was disappointed that I wouldn’t see my husband, but my type A self was also disappointed about the plans I had to cancel— but I had reservations! I was lining up a baby-sitter! I planned a late afternoon stroll to the beach and a morning workout route that would take us by the market just as the stalls were opening. I MADE PLANS!! What do you mean you’re not going to be here til tomorrow!? 

By the time he arrived, Taylor had less than 24 hours in Antibes. The boys were disappointed too. So I cancelled the idea of a romantic dinner and made reservations for the pizza place with the boys. We took our lemons and made limoncello this time.

The next morning, we caught our train to Florence. Sadly, the coastal route is a local one, so it made for a long trip. After seeing so many families on the trains, I was happy to be complete this time. 

As I mentioned previously,  the kids get to play their iPods and watch movies on travel days, so they really look forward to them. I was sort of embarrassed that Taylor was going to see the way I really control the children— bribery!  All of my reports home about how good the boys have been were going to be exposed as hyperbole— big deal they’ve been good: they play on their iPods all day. You call that parenting? WHAT HAVE YOU BEEN DOING FOR TWO MONTHS?

Of course after they started driving us crazy and were the loudest people on the train — to Italy— that’s saying something! So ten minutes in, Taylor was totally on board with the plan! We plugged them in and had some time to catch up on the long train ride. 

Leaving Antibes, I felt like I was in the closing scene of a movie. I ran into a few friends on our way to the train station and a few of the shopkeepers noticed our suitcases and leaned out to wish us well. I got a proper send off like a girl leaving her hometown and heading for the big city. Very touching.

Saying goodbye to one of our favorite sites of Antibes-- the bakery!

After we checked in at our apartment here in Florence, we set out to get one site in before dinner— the Bell Tower at Palazzo Vecchio. I had heard it was great to catch at sunset— and I thought the boys would enjoy climbing 223 steps after being on a train all day.  

Florence, near sunset, from the Bell Tower at Palazzo Vecchio

Walking the streets of Florence reminded me of our first day in Antibes after being in Sancerre. People everywhere. The boys were unsettled by the busy-ness of Antibes. They didn’t like it at first and complained it was too crowded. By the time we left, of course, the boys were right at home. I’d like to say I planned it this way— but I didn’t figure it out until now—  going from Sancerre to Antibes to Florence to Paris was probably the right pacing for my boys. It takes them some time to get accustomed to the bustle of the big cities and they need figure things out a little at a time. I had joked that I wanted to get my courage up before I took the boys to Paris by myself. Seems we’re all getting time to get our courage up before heading for the big city.

And on that note, I’m hoping the Louvre will go better than the Uffizi. The kids got very impatient with all of the art to see. I had downloaded an audio tour in hopes that it would keep them entertained. Contrarian Bennett Short immediately dismissed the idea.  Cooper and I were sharing an iPod, so I was tethered to a seven year old in a crowded museum. Uh- that went about as well as you can imagine. Samuel decided that he was better off reading all of the signs and then surmising VERY LOUDLY what he thought each artist intended and why the work was significant. A few Auzzies heard him and were interested enough to follow him around for a while, like he was a tour guide. The kid is brilliant if not exhausting. Luckily I chose to listen to the audio guide, which conveniently drowned out the kids’ bitching and moaning. At one point I looked over at Taylor and suggested that we just keep the ear plugs in so the kids would think we were listening and not talk to us. Of course he had already thought of that and just gave me a big knowing smile.

We survived and then after a late lunch we took them to the Accademia to see David. I was expecting the worst after the Uffizi experience, but the Accademia does not disappoint. They put David right there at the beginning— like, we know this is what you came to see, so here it is. But the kids didn’t stop — they loved everything there, including, much to my surprise, the numerous altar pieces. Holy shit— they were paying attention to the story of Pentecost? What do you mean “why is Mary being coronated?” You’re naming Michelangelo’s prisoners? Explaining foreshadowing? I love these kids— where we you at the Uffizi? We had to drag them out of there. Go figure. 

Bennett and I sneak a pic of David...

Lots to see in Florence and of course I am doing my best to keep a healthy pace for the boys. Rain is expected throughout our time here— changing plans and canceling reservations— AGAIN!! It’s all good because we are together and loving exploring this big city as a family.