Ciao tutti!

Writing this from our rooftop while I wait for the laundry to finish and Zach to shower. Bill and Mel have headed to the Coop to do our grocery shopping for Christmas.

Florence, Italy

It is the 23rd here but most stores are closed starting tomorrow mid-day and not re-opening until the 27th and we plan to be prepared this year. Several years ago, when we were living in Switzerland, we missed that whole “closed the day after” memo and we were staying in an area where the stores were closed until the 28th. While the quietness and lack of commercialism during those days is beautiful and peaceful for sure, one must be prepared with groceries, especially with kids. I remember we ran out of milk the day after Christmas last time we were living in Switzerland. Normally not a big deal but Zach was 3 at the time and couldn’t go a meal without it. We searched the entire town and finally found a little mini-mart at the train station that was open and for close to $10 we bought the smallest container of milk you have ever seen to get us through. Funny, the kid is now lactose intolerant and can barely tolerate lactose free milk.

As for Florence, we’ve been busy sightseeing and wandering this beautiful city. There are so many Christmas markets and the weather is beautiful. Today is 58 degrees, bight and sunny. Perfect day to explore and as soon as I hang out laundry out to dry we are headed out.