Italy Firenze 2002

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We left Sienna after 2 weeks of language school. We learned but are by no means fluent or conversational! From Siena we went to Lastra a Signa, a small town 15 minutes outside of Florence. we rented an apartment for the next 5 weeks. The family renting this apartment to us, well, we and were theie first renters so they went overboard in helping us. They took us on a day trip with them to their beach house in a small town about 1-1/2 hour by car. There were no tourist here, just the Italians. We took lots of day trips on our own to Lucca, Pisa and of course Firenze which was only a 15 min train ride from Lastra Signa. The real highlight of our time here was having Aaron joine us for 2 weeks. We had not seen him in 18 months since he left for Senegal West Africa and the Peace Corps. We had a great visit and it was good for Aaron too. Aaron wanted to learn Italian and he enrolled in a local school in Firenze so for one week every morning he was off on the train to school and then we would meet up at noon for lunch and visit the sites in Firenze. We found an English movie theater and took in a couple of movies which for Aaron was a real treat. His Italian quickly surpassed ours and he became our translator. There are many Senegalese on the streets of Firenze selling CD's, hand bag knock offs and everything else, and it was fun to watch this 6 foot caucasion speak to them in thier native language of Woloof and to see expressions and amazement on their faces!

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Photos

Leaving Sienna
Packed and ready to move.

Firenze Skyline
Taken from the Piazza Michelangelo.

Plaze Della Republica
Looking thru the columns the Plaza is in the distance.

Bell Tower
The bell tower next to the Duomo in Firenze.

Mary and the Arno River
Firenze in the background and I cannot remember the name of the cathederal you see.

Ponte Vechio
Famous bridge over the Arno river in Firenze.

Bicycles in Lucca
Lucca is surronded by this huge earthen wall that is 50 yards wide in places. It was a great place to rent bikes and ride around the city and see the sights.

The Beach
With Maximo's daugter at the beach.