Toes in the Med

So yesterday we borrowed the "June Bug" (the aqua green Fiat Panda) and drove around the hillsides after lunch. We found a 2nd century Roman villa archeological site. The workers let us in the gate and we got to walk around it for a while. There were a few interpretive signs that had English translations. Julia Rose and Stella kept saying, "So they walked right where we are walking?" It was fascinating to think about 2000 years.

Terry brought the map of Italy, and we looked at it for a while trying to decide where we would drive. We ended up getting on the highway and driving the hour to Livorno where we found a public beach. It was cool and breezy, and we waded in the ocean for a while. We got some gelato in the little tourist area there, then headed back to Scandicci. Once we got back into the Florence metro area, somehow we ended up on a toll road, driving by the villa up on the hillside, unable to get off the highway. We just couldn't "get there from here." We finally found an exit and worked our way back to Scandicci and supper at 8 p.m.

We are having a wonderful time! The girls have started attending Mona's Italian class...I haven't yet, and Mona says I will get Alzheimer's. She's sweet that way.

Today we have an onsite Humanities class at the Duomo and then are eating out pizza together tonight. I stay perpetually stuffed, but am losing weight with all the walking. It's great!