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Published: August 9th 2012
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After my parents left the countdown was on until we all finished our summer course, the heat was on and I was at uni most days til 5-6 researching, drawing or sewing. When I went home to my empty apartment I mostly read books or watched disney as I had also been giving a parting gift from Dad, his awful flu. So I wasn't up for much adventuring as I could barely get up anyway. I cooked at home alot which was satisfying after so long backpacking, made the love heart pasta that the Hemmetts had given me and generally foccused on trying to get my fashion design portfolio together.
I did have a visit from the wonderful Kelly who turned up on her way through to Croatia. We had met over some crazy times in Valencia so I was looking forward to another night of fun and frivolity. We started with a wine and salad in a local bar which was a little disappointing, then headed up to piazzale Michelangelo for the sunset. Unfortunately on the way, I saw a man walking down the hill with his "cough" Italian sausage out, having a good ol' time walking (w*nking) down the road. I was gobsmacked. I looked at Kel, she saw the look on my face, I was speechless so luckily she didn't see him as she was focused on me. As soon as we turned the corner I told her what he had been doing...only to find he decided to turn around and follow us up the hill!! Kel and I ran up the stairs to the piazzale and luckily there was more people around so he stopped. Ewww. Adventure number 1.
We had our wine, sang along to the buskers and then met Ian who was from the UK and decided to join our party. Adventure 2 (much more tame, thank goodness). We all decided to go for dinner at Sante Croce and while walking down there stopped to listen to a band playing at a bar near the river, I was watching a family's children groove away to the music when I thought, "that looks like one of my kids, from school, haha, that's impossible" then I took a second look, then looked at the parents and realised it WAS a family from Townsville! I practially jumped the barricade to get to Madeleine and Harrison Cliffe and their parents. We gossiped about our various adventures and exchanged news. It was so amazing to see them again! Adventure 3 - Fun!
Finally we got to Santa Croce and looked for a waiter, Kel started asking a guy for a table, only to realise he was just a really well dressed bystander! Opps, but luckily he knew the bar staff next door and got us the last table before the kitchen closed. Ian bought us 2 bottles of wine to share and a delicious pizza and chocolate cake dessert was had by all. After this we were happily dancing back to town to go to bed when an attractive Italian guy stopped on the bridge opposite the Ponti Vechio to have a chat with us all. His name was Danilo and he was a doctor in Firenze and when he realised it was Kel's last night in Florence he decided to come out with us for a drink.
We ended up at an Irish pub, I swear there is Irish pubs in every corner of the world, and they are all open later than anything else! So Kel and I went inside to see what was available, only to find Sangria! We had good times in Spain with Sangria....but let me say, Sangria at an Irish pub in Florence....not so good. Also not good was the pub closing as we were having a good time. So we wander off to Piazza Signoria to sit and chat and meet 2 more guys from the UK who we ended up then teaching them how to piroette in the piazza. Hmmm crazy? Us? No, not at all! I can't figure out what adventure we're up to at this point. Danilo had to go home but we had arranged to meet the following evening as he offered to cook, Sicilian style. Kel and I went home, and then I left Ian at my door step, he got clingy and I wasn't interested, he was still there waiting when I went to bed but luckily had gone by the morning. My only remaining adventure was getting up and to uni next morning! I felt pretty ok til 11am, and then I suddenly remembered why I quit drinking when I was 19. I was trying to sew and complete my design project with a nasty headache....very bad. I luckily got hangover advice from an 18 year old in my class...haha Ironic!!
My last couple of days was spent hanging out with Danilo, before he left for holidays with his family in Sicily and I left for Cinque Terre, including an amazing ride up into the mountains overlooking Florence which was definately a highlight of my entire month. The view was incredible and I thoroughly enjoy riding scooters now (I was so freaked out the first time though)! I also packaged up 12kg and sent it to Australia thinking that would make my backpack lighter...it didn't work, it's still ridiculous. I had a crazy light night with the fashion design crew, clubbing at a bar called Twice which really should have been called "Italian Stallions". I had to run away from one who propositioned me in the early hours! They are definately bold.
My last night in Florence was with the fashion gang and we ended up at a Mexican restaurant drinking passionfruit cocktails and then heading back to Joy's penthouse apartment which overlooked the Duomo. She definately had the best place to live for the month! But I don't regret my apartment, it was nice not to share it and live by myself for a while. I repacked my bag when I got home and decided I really haven't learnt anything about packing light. I am guessing I am still at the 20-23kg mark. It is insane and so am I. Next time....carry on luggage only! Haha I am hoping I can do this one day....it is my new travel goal.
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