Back to Florence and Visitors!

I arrived back in Italy and somehow managed to drag my really, really heavy bag from Pisa to Florence alone.  J arrived in Florence later in the day, it was good to hang out after being apart for 3 weeks.  

The next afternoon we met up with our friends Fabio and Veronica.  We originally met them while they were in Minnesota being treated at J's clinic.  They live in Milan, but Veronica was transfered to Sydney, Australia just before our vacation here last summer.  So, they were back in Italy for their summer break and we were happy to meet up for an afternoon!

That same evening, we went to the train station to pick up my friend from college, Nikki, and her nursing friend, Jen.  We had a great dinner with everyone!

The next day (with J back at training camp) Nikki, Jen and I went on a castle wine tour in the chianti region.  It was absolutely beautiful landscape and the wine was fantastic.  We all had a great time.  We also got to taste olive oil, and I am sure this was the best olive oil I have ever had!

View from inside the courtyard. 

The next morning, we woke up early (before the heat set in) and walked up the hill to Michelangelo's Piazza to take in the gorgeous view of Florence.  

That afternoon Jen and Nikki went to the Uffizi while I tried to catch my breath after a whirlwind "welcome back to Florence."  Nikki and Jen went to Milan that evening to see other friends.

That night, J was in Florence for a friendly match with Fiorentina.  I went to the stadium and at least got to sit with J for the second half of the game.  Before the game started they officially announced the 2009-2010 team.  So J was down on the field officially being introduced to the Fiorentina fans.  The announcer absolutely butchered "Pietila" but it was still pretty cool to see J down there.  He definitely stuck out with his white hair!

After the game, J was required to go back to training camp with the team.  He is about 40 minutes away from Florence, but he has to stay there all week.  He only has a few days off throughout the entire 2 months of training camp.  It is pretty hard on him, and it is difficult for both of us to be apart from each other for so long.  

This is a picture of J at the first training camp.  This one was held in the Dolomites, which are the Alps northern Italy.  He said it was really beautiful there.  Hopefully, we can go there together someday.  I would like to see it too!