Mom and Dad's Visit so Far

Sunday night: showed them around my place, dinner at Il Teatro, the service was crappy that night because the theatre had a show. It didn't matter much to us because we were swapping stories. They told me all about Rome and how much fun with it they had. I should never doubt those 2 and their abilities to get place and discover things.

Monday: we had an early start with my tour around Florence showing them all the main attractions and then relaxed with a cup of coffee by the Duomo. Then I headed off to class and pretended to learn and take a midterm and quiz. While I was doing that Mom and Dad checked out the inside of the Duomo and the nearby market. Much rather would have been with them.  After my classes were over I met up with them at their hotel and we went to dinner at this place Dad had scoped out in the afternoon.  The food was good but the company and conversation were much better. I then took them to the favorite gelato place in Florence and while walking back to my place we discovered an organ concert. Mom was in heaven when we heard it. This tiny little church was doing an hourly long concert each night, it was beautiful and I know they loved it. It was a splendid ending to a day in Italy. The whole week it was so nice just to be able to talk and catch up on lives without a few thousand miles between us.

Tuesday: in the morning I went and painted for a little while and then Mom and Dad came to see the studio and steal me away. My prof and I had them give their input on why my self portrait wasn't looking like me…that was interesting and I didn't take anything personally.  After that we split up for a bit. Anyone want to guess what Dad did? If you guessed found a golf course you're right! Leave it to him to find one in Italy and go check it out. He had quite an adventure doing it, he walked there (quite a ways) then had to have an elderly woman translate for him once he got there. They became friends and she helped him find his way back. I swear you could drop the man out of an airplane and he'd make friends or see someone he knows within an hour. Just the way he works. Mom and I in the mean time went to this little town about an hour and half train ride away called Arezzo. It was really neat, pretty quiet. We were only there a short while and spent about half the time with coffee and sitting looking over a park just catching up.  I miss my mom time so it was good to catch up on some.  When we got back we parted ways for a bit and then met up later to go to my favorite pizza place and for gelato afterwards once again

Wednesday: We tackled hiking the Duomo in the morning. We could not have had better timing. It was a hazy morning and had been raining when I woke up. I met them there and we went right in to start climbing. By the time we got to the top the rain had stopped and by the time we got down again to the bottom it was pouring. It was insane being on top of the Duomo. On the way up and down you walk right along the ceiling being face to face with the frescos. If we hadn't been able to get to the very top I still would've said seeing those up close was still well worth  it. The top is much bigger than you would expect and we had an incredible view of the city and the storm coming in as Dad noticed. There's nothing like it in the world.  I left them to recover to once again go and pretend to learn something :P

That night I cooked for them at my house and then we got to skype with Jess and the boys. It was great to all 'be together' in that sense and just talk and watch Bear and Johan put on a show for us.

Thursday: In the morning I took them to see Michelangelo's Plaza which overlooks the whole city. While we were up there they were working assembling this huge marble pieces to create a 'window for the city'. It was fascinating to watch, kind of took away the attention for the view for a bit. After that mom and I perused the watercolor paintings up there (yes she had to get one) while Dad took some time to sit and write underneath David's butt (see picture below). It was a perfect day for it. In the afternoon Dad set off to nap and then explore the Uffizi while Mom and I conquered the city shopping. Quite draining but we accomplished all our goals (a nativity, gifts, and boots). I took them to dinner at a restaurant that is on the river which looks right out at the Ponte Vecchio. The food was incredible as well as the view. I think it was their favorite place. After that they chose to go back to the amazing gelato place from the 2nd night which we ate on the steps of the Duomo. Yea, I had gelato with my parents on the steps of the Duomo. After that we parted ways so they could pack for their next trip: Venice.



Mom with our discoveries in Arezzo





climbing the Duomo




WE MADE IT!



someone even managed to get a lock out onto the top of the dome

Mom taking in the Frecos



From my window, i stalked them




Skyping with J and Johan who couldn't sit still




Told you he was writing underneath David's 'you-know-what'




we are good looking people



I get to meet up with them on their way back and we'll all go to Pisa together. I get to stay with them for a night and hopefully do Cinque Terre again with them (cross your fingers for the weather) or something else. Then I'll leave them to fend for themselves and try to get back to the states. Dad says he doesn't know if they have the money to go back now….all the better for me then! I love my parents. End of story.