La dolce vita!

Ciao! The giff is in Italy!!! Mi sento fortunatissima!! I visited Pisa and the leaning "bell" tower and had my first Italian confrontation. I know what you're thinking...I've only been in the country for a couple of hours and I'm already fighting?? But let me explain - as usual, it wasn't my fault. Pisa has a ton of touristy stands with everything from futbol jersies to leaning coffee cups. I found a necklace made of glass beads that I wanted to buy. The East Indian that owned this particular stand quoted me one price but kept screaming at Heidi that she would have to pay a higher price. We were both confused as I was the only one interested in buying. I handed the guy my cash (including a mitt-full of coins) and he kinda chucked the necklace in my direction. The necklace went spiriling towards the ground and smashed into pieces. Heidi lost it on Indian guy as I stared in disbelief. I simply asked for my money back and Indian guy walked off. That's when I decided to bring out the Italian Giffordini in me...my arms were waving and I got fairly excited as I demanded my money back. Indian guy refused and then finally gave in but decided it was appropriate to throw my money at me. Coins scattered across the piazza and it took every ounce of power to control my Scottish rage and not turn his booth upside down. The only way to soothe my nerves after incidents like that is to SHOP. Buongiorno Firenze!!! I went to Florence after Pisa and purchased a cow and a half worth of leather. I had to go buy another suitcase to cart my new purchases around. I bought a stunning leather jacket and a gorgeous leather bag that hopefully will fit my laptop. I went for dinner in the tuscan hills and it was spectacular! We sat out in a tree'd courtyard and they had little lights strung up all over. Very very romantic. I had a massive T-bone steak and joked with the cute Italian waiter that I wanted another. As I took the last bite of my first steak, number two arrived. (Since this was an included dinner, my tour company was paying for the meal). And of course I still had room for tiramisu. We went clubbin' that night and partied in an open-air bar. It was so cool. Great music and two steaks in my belly for fuel equals a 6am bedtime. That hurts when I have an 8am departure though. After spending two days in Florence, we went to Rome for two days. Its a balmy 36 degrees in Roma. My tan is coming along so nicely that not only are the tourists asking me for directions, but even the Italians approach me for help. On the first day, I walked around Rome checking out sights such as the Spanish steps and the Trevi fountain. For the Trevi, if you throw one coin in - "you will return to Rome", two coins - "you will get married", and three coins "you will get a divorce". A girl in my group threw in three coins. Yikes. The second day in Roma, I visited the Colosseum and I am so fired up on the whole Gladiator thing that I want to buy a full Gladiator outfit (chest plate, helmet, knee-high boots and a sword) but I don't know if I have room in my luggage. If I can find a place that will ship it to Calgary, I'm gettin' it!! I also went to the Vatican and visited the Sistine Chapel and the St. Peter's Bascillica. I can't even describe how amazing these places are. I preferred St. Peter's over the Sistine as the Sistine seemed a little dark. St. Peter's on the other hand was phenominal. All of the artwork in there is created with tile and done as a mosaic. It is mind-blowing! Speaking of mind-blowing...you should taste real Italian gelato. It's orgasmic. And so is the pasta. And the pizza too! I have never ate so much pizza and pasta in my life...and I have never enjoyed it as much as this. Vado matta per la cucina locale!! I may have to stay in Italy permanently as I will probably be too fat to cross the border. My second night in Rome I went to a dinner with a tenor performance. It was incredible. There were huge chandeliers, lots of velvet and a huge grand piano. Did I mention how incredible the pasta was in the prima piatta? My biggest and best souvenir that I am bringing home will be an extra 20lbs on my frame. I am currently on my way to the Isle of Capri and then on to Sorrento tonight to rip 'er up! Since I went to bed at 3am last night, I actually had 4 hrs of sleep...so I am good to do an all nighter! Giddy up! Teniamoci in contatto! (Keep in touch!) Ciao, Giff p.s. I'm sorry that I haven't been able to post any pictures. I haven't downloaded any yet but maybe when I get back we can have a big backyard bbq (Chris-darling, can you be the cook?) and broadcast a slideshow against the house.