Day 10

Captain’s log day dieci e ultimo: taxis are hard to come by in Florence as are Ubers. You can schedule them only to have them cancel last-minute. So we decide to walk the 2 miles ish with our luggage in tow across the cobblestone streets and narrow sidewalks to the train station. After taking down our hang-dried laundry and getting final pics of our lil flat, we begin at a little cafe around the corner I’ve been obsessed with going to since we arrived. It’s adorable, with its teacup service, fresh flower centerpieces and overall cozy aesthetic. We continue on to roads filled with sidewalk vendors and purchase a few last-minute items. I stop in a cafe and purchase a caffe to use the toilette only to be charged 9€!! This is unheard of in most places here, but clearly they know the price of coffee in Miami and charge accordingly. We find our way to the train station, have one of the best paninis yet, and take our seats in business class. With our pinkies up, we meet a doctorate-of-chemistry-professor-couple from Emory who have just completed their six-week stint with their study abroad students. They’re heading to Lake Como for a vacation before heading home to ATL. Their conversation is engaging and includes toilette story exchanges, making the train ride go by quickly before arriving in Milan Centrale. Centrale must translate to not really close to anything. The airport, where our hotel is, is an hour-long train ride away. The duomo is a 30-min metro ride from the station. We are sweaty and utterly exhausted so we choose to grab a bite and catch the train to our hotel versus coordinating the logistics of luggage check/sight-seeing. We do, however, see the sight of a lady with her leashed meerkat enjoying a beve before boarding their train (to Madagascar?). It’s as intriguing as it is disturbing. We take the slow train to the outskirts of town and check in at a Moxy near terminal 2. We explore the possibility of catching a flight home tonight but $1500 and 30 extra hours of travel doesn’t seem worth it. We shower and decide to chill but duomo fomo gets the best of me and I decide we must go back to the city. Nic refuses to let me go alone and rallies, but we discover the next train out is too late for us to get there at a safe hour. We peruse yelp and find a hole in the wall a short ride from us in a town called Lombardy, il Crazy Pub. The hotelier helps us get a car and we take all precautions to not get kidnapped our last night in Italy. Would hate to have to call Liam Neeson this late. We arrive safely and walk in. It immediately feels like home minus the locals that fill the place. It’s got Eichelroper vibes fa sho. We order our bevs and peruse the menu. It’s got horse on it. Like for real, confirmed a-neigh Godfather-head-in-bed HORSE. We’re told “it’s sweet”. Um, that’s a-nay for us. We decide on chicken wings, shepherd’s pie balls and jalapeños instead. It’s absolutely delicious. I convince Luca to sell me some wares, we take some pics and Mikki picks us up to take us back to the hotel. We have our complimentary nightcap and fall out. What a journey this has been. I appreciate you coming along with me. Not only did I get to document this incredible trip for the mems, but I explored a creative outlet I didn’t know I needed, so thanks!! The anticipation I feel for seeing my hubby, my beautiful babies (including fur), my comfy home, my Eichs, my neighbors that are my framily, overwhelms to tears…queue my next (and hopefully last) emotional outburst. Note: I say “queue” instead of line now bc I’m European obvs. This adventure has been amazing and I‘m so ready to get back to my beautiful life. I can’t thank my travel partner and soul sister Nicole enough for this experience. For her exquisite planning skills, dealing with my neuroses, for being an anchor when I need it, for always having the next right thing to say or do…she’s incredible. For my hubs and kiddos and family that encouraged me and made this trip possible, I am forever grateful. I still can’t believe it’s real!! I’ll prob do one more post with all the things once I return to a laptop, but ciao for now!! XOXO, gossip girl

PS USA!USA! USA!