Update from France to Firenze

We have not been great at updating the blog...internet is not that easy to find plus we are just really really tired/lazy.

We spent last week on the Mediterranean Riviera in Nice, France and San Remo, Italy. We did not like Nice much and failed to go to nearby Eze (a Medieval city where there is cliff jumping and cave swimming)....OOPS!!! So, we moved on to San Remo for two nights. We discovered 'happy hour' which is basically two plates of an Italian buffet spread and a drink (whatever you want, so we ordered this delicious strawberry pineapple concoction) for €5 (about 7 bucks) each. The moment we entered Italy, it became obvious that the best food in the WORLD is Italian. Everything tastes better here...fresh, cooked, cured, WHATEVER! The tomatoes are intense bursts of flavor that involuntarily (for alissa, anyway) produce verbal assent of their taste worthiness. We discovered foccacia...each region, each city has their own flavor, their own twist on the delicious bread wonder. However, we retain that the best milk is from Germany...and you know Joe is the expert on milk.

There have been several attempts to lay on the beach all day, but the weather will not cooperate. It is too windy...sand pelting our inner ears...or rainy...or..... So, we left San Remo with happy tummies and moved around the cost to Cinque Terre, an Italian National Park.

Basically it is a stretch of coastline that connects small little villages...very very old villages...together by train, boat ferry, hiking trails (through olive groves and vineyards on paths defined by stone walls built WITHOUT mortar hundreds of years ago). There are not too many beaches, rather rocky cliffs and spectacular views and stone launching ramps for boats of all shapes and sizes. The food is unbelievably delicious, fresh, local, and healthy (except for the desserts...crepes and gelato!!!!). We spent Alissa's 31st birthday hiking through the mountains of olives and grapes and deseret flora and lush foliage. Our market lunch that day of cheese, bread, tomatoes, sun dried tomatoes, peaches, apricots, cherries, ham and prosciutto. Neither one of us has ever tasted anything so delicious and timely. On a side note, we love every gaget from REI that we received as gifts...especially our hip camel bak. The tap water is natural deliciousness that comes out cold enough to quench even the most fierce thirst. Our birthday lunch was feast indeed.

Our hikes yielded the most amazing vistas we could ever imagine. Seriously. It was like sitting inside a fairy tale illustration, but you can feel the sun on your skin and the wind cooling you off and your holding hands with your life companion. We both really love this place. We spent four days in this beautiful place, meeting people, watching the weather change...pretty much under spell.... and so happy.

Unwillingly, we said goodbye to Cinue Terre and headed to Florence to visit David (all three of them!!!) and of course Charity Sunshine! We have been here in Florence since Friday. Our first night was our first camping experience...and it was wonderful. We camped in the hills of Florence overlooking the Duomo. Saturday we bussed to Fiesole, just outside of Florence, but still within eyesight, to spend three lovely days with Chari and her momma, Annette. Just up the hill from their beautiful farmhouse flat is an 11th century castle their friends own. So, we are heading to Rome this afternoon and then on to Greece, determined to find some sunshine and beach time.

Hoorary for being married!!! Hoorary for honeymoons!! Hoorary for happiness!