Boots with the fur?!?!?!

One final thing i forgot to mention on our stroll back to the hotel last night... we spotted the most amazing boots in the window. Trying to be courteous I asked when they closed and she responded "3 minutes"... Now i am pretty fond of impulse decisions - i mean 2 -- no 3 of my tattoos came out that way. If you really want to look at it square, my flight to and from Italy - another impulsive decision, and more times than not jump off the bridge without really look at what's below. Why of ALL times I decided to be responsible now - over a pair of beautiful blue italian boots is continuing to haunt me every waking moment. I literally google earthed the store today to try to find the name to see if I could call and special request them. But apparently they are so vintage that they do not even come up in google. So I am still sitting here agonizing over these boots.

Uhhh, mmkay so back to Italy. We got up early this morning, had our once again smorgasboard of breakfast and coffee with extra crack in it... basically mud with a splash of water - and got ourselves checked out of the hotel. I was quite proud of us all that will a combined weight total of nearly 500 lbs of shoes, clothing, and other random shit - we successfully got ourselves to the bus, to the train station, and on the train to Florence. Mom, Vig, Muffy and I (the adults, Kar and Aubs being under 25 are considered Youths haha) rode in the same coach and played 7 card Gin Rummy for the full hour and half. Momma G, the cardshark she is, took us down one by one .. final score Cathy 160 Muffy 160 Vig 245..... Mom 315. Really?!??!

We made it to Florence and it quickly became apparent that map skills had lost its edge. I took us the completely wrong way with luggage (oh yes remember Muffys 55 lbs - well now 65 with gifts) down random streets and then back tracked it all the way till we got to the hotel huffing and puffing. Bags dropped we got upstairs and situated in our rooms. Side note, when I first stayed at the Hotel Maxim in April my single room was about the size of my NYC bathroom - which really is absurdly small.. so I had sorta feared the rooms would just as small for all of us together. To my utter AMAZEMENT we got the freaking master suite with a King Bed, two twins and 20 foot ceilings. Like hello, where was this 6 months ago????

No joke, the Gribaudo/Dreker clan take up the entire west wing of the hotel.

Hungry and Thirsty again we walked into the Piazza della Republicca just behind the hotel and got lunch at this great outdoor patio. Right beside this patio is an crazy cool Carousel that lights up and I am dying to get on and sit with Muffy in the love boat :) After another late lunch we decided we'd all split up and wander the streets each of us with our own mission. Mine of course, resuming Boot Hunt 2009. I didnt find exactly what I was looking for but am now obsessed with a new pair of badass motorcycle boots that I will be racing out the door first thing in the morning for. I spent a good part of the afternoon chatting with my good friend Amanda who we'll all be meeting tomorrow . Mom and Vig had a chance to talk women to women , while Kar and Aubs got lost in Firenze.. shocker.

We meet back at the Carousel around 6 and Aubs had purchased this beautiful black purse - so her and so to die for. We went back to the hotel to rest for a bit. Amanda had made us reservations at the famous Acqua al Due... that which was recommended by Karly and friends. We had a true family style Italian meal: Sample platter of salad, sampler of pasta, secondi course and 2 bottles of wine. It was aaaaaamazing. 3 different types of salad, 5 different types of pasta, chicken with porcini mushrooms and Santa Margarita Pinot Grigio.. we ate like little princepesa's :) I said my personal goodbye to the owner and we shared a kiss of the cheek goodnight.

We all wandered back to the hotel close to midnight and I am beyond excited for what tomorrow will bring. David, boots, and my Italian Amanda.. I cant even begin to explain how nice it will be to see a good friend who I completely envy for being able to live, eat, breathe this city every flippin day. Hot damn.