CIAO BELLA!

Ciao! Firenze (aka Florence) is magnificent! Italians are crazy, but I love them more for it. They're all so passionate... about every little thing. Unfortunately I missed out the story I'm about to recount, but I have no problem believing it... My friends, Des and Scott, were eating at a little restaurant one night, when their waiter had a problem with another waiter, who was literally insulting his co-workers "Mama." :) So, in the middle of the restaurant, their waiter pounced on top of the other server from behind, tackled him to the ground and began beating the living crap out of him. The manager came over to break up the fight and was punched in the face. Less than three minutes later, all three men resumed work as though nothing happened. In one word, TYPICAL. Isn't that great? Haha... just retelling the story makes me laugh.
Our VESPA group is staying in a Villa here in Florence. The place is beautiful! Seriously gorgeous... but at the same time... it's got some downsides too.
1: It's almost the last bus stop outside the city center
2: We have to walk up the "driveway" which is a 20 minute walk... Dont get me wrong, it's beautiful, lined with big trees and surrounded by vineyards - but it sucks if we're in a hurry, or if it's raining or cold coming back at night...
3: Mosquitos (enough said)
4: Boys and Girls are in separate quarters... our first time staying somewhere that literally has different sides for each... but apparantly it's normal in Italy, and for Vanguard for that matter. :)
5: The above mentioned things wouldnt nearly be so bad if it werent for this last little detail...
WE HAVE A CURFEW!! of MIDNIGHT NONETHELESS! WHO DOES THAT???
How am i expected to see Florence when i have to be at the freaking bus stop before 11 oclock... (to leave me enough time for the bus ride and up hill hike)??

One night we went to a little club called, BeBop.. (i love saying that).. to listen to a Beatles coverband. They were sooo good. We had front row tables, and rocked out to a total of FOUR songs... because, oh yeah, we have a CURFEW and had to leave early. BUMMER. There's no way around it really... you get locked out till 7am if you're not back in time.

That really is my ONLY complaint here. Otherwise, Florence has been wonderful so far.

I'll write more about the city next time.

Gelato ice cream is calling my name for now. :)

Love, love, love, Melody