Euro 7 - Florence, England and Wrap-Up

Not doing London and the rest of England justice, but here's a little bit of story and photographic evidence of the post-Paganello time I was in Europe in April. I have to close this series out (or feel that I do) before starting on the Ultimate Peace storytelling and trip-documenting.

Left off in my last post with a hilarious "we're exhausted" picture of Becca on the train from Rimini back to Florence. When we made it to Florence, we handled some business (or tried to). All the ATMs available in central Florence were without cash so that presented some problems.

Night picture of the massive and gorgeous and somewhat dingy Duomo:

We did, however, enjoy a hilarious scene at our last Italian meal. At a small restaurant - that had a name Becca recognized from some tour guide - we hadn't even made it inside the door when we realized there was an odd altercation inside the place. Much like the Cinque Terra incident, where waiting seemed to be an appropriate response to the conflict, we stood by the door until emotions had died down and a table became available.

Once inside, we realized that two obnoxious Americans were hassling the store owner/manager about a table. The owner/manager was adamant that the men were no longer allowed in the store - and in the middle of all this conversation a glass of wine was spilled onto the nightclub-friendly shirt of one of the Americans. He grew livid, to which the owner/manager's only response was to invite them to enjoy the owner/manager's personal table and bottle of wine.

What seemed to become a peaceful outcome was broken when the Americans hardly tasted the wine and walked straight out the front door with nothing as nice as a "ciao."

Phew, sigh or relief that our fellow nationals would no longer make the scene they'd been making. And that we could more quietly enjoy the food and wine (and copious cheese) with a Virginian couple closely situated beside us.

Out of Florence and Italy the next day on a direct flight to London, Becca and I are still somewhat awestruck but more tired than if we'd done England before Paganello. Here are some photos and accompanying info:

Transitions are picture-worthy. This is getting on the plane from the Florence tarmac:

The first thing we see out of the tube on the way into London was Kate and Prince Charming face masks:

Thank you for the direction!

London's international appeal is obvious on the tour bus's running commentary about the scenery and language panel for headphone plug-in:

What to drink in the UK:

The Tower Bridge:

Missed the wedding by a couple days. But found their waving spot:

You nasty, Ness!