Back to the Italy: 7/21/07

Dear Friends,

So, as I said, I did not have email access on our vacation, hence the lack of writing. How is everyone doing? It is hard to believe my trip is about half way through. The time is flying by! Ou vacation to Pietrasanta was wonderful. We stayed in Marina di Pietrasanta. It was a typical beachlike area. Our hotel was about two blocks form the beach in a ver quiet neighborhood. The hotel was wonderful. The owners were so nice and the place was beautiful, quiet and clean. There was an outside seating area for relaxing before dinner. Unfortunately, the food was pretty much aweful at the hotel, so we only did breakfast there (it is hard to mess up breakfast). Otherwise, the pool was lovely and the people were so nice. There were a lot of families there, so we were surrounded by the cutest kids. They were a little lound in the morning, but what can you do.

We spent two of our days at the beach. For a fee, we could rent a little space with loungers and an unbrella. It was so relaxing. We could go into the water without worrying about our things because they had security. It was so hot and frequent trips to the water were necessary. You can now say I am a caramel color- still far from chocolate!

When we first got there, it was about 2PM. We checked in and went to look for food. The town was dead. We thought we were in for a very quiet weekend and were a little bummed no one was around and none of the shops were open. We finally found an open restaurant and had the best Aglio Olio Pepperoncino we had ever had. This is my new favorite and you can get it everywhere. It is simply spaghetti with garlic, oil, parsley, and hot pepper oil. I figured out that what I like about linguine with clams is that it is aglio olio pepperoncino with clams. I say forget the clams now. it sounds so simple, but I assure you it is so yummy! SO, on our first day we just laid by the pool and then took a long nap before getting ready to go out. When we did, we were shocked at how many people we saw. Our main drag was littered with families and travellers! It was like Hot Summer Nights. We had to try 4 restaurants before getting a seat. It was amazing. The town reminded of me of an old time beach haven where families have gone for years and years and always stay in their summer house or same hotel. They have the same spot on the beach reserved year round. it was like our Lake Tahoe. All of the babies were GORGEOUS and everyone was tan. We would see ninety year old women cruising the beach in their bikinis with their yearly tanned skinned shining with Hawaiian Tropic Tanning Oil. Italians definitely don't worry about skin cancer or lung cancer and on the beach it is not uncommone to see a woman sprawled and greasy in the sun with a cigarette or two hanging from her mouth.

Marina di Pietrasanta is definitely a posh life. There were beautiful houses throughout the neighborhood. The shopping street was lined with star jasmine and lavendar, filling the warm night air with the most amazing smells. All of the stores open in the morning around nine or ten, then close from 1 to 6. Then, they are all open until about midnight. It was completely conducive to night-time strolling and shopping. One night, we borrowed bikes from our hotel and rode to the center of Pietrasanta, about a 20 minute ride away. It was more like and old Italian City. The center was beautiful and lined with shops that housed the most beautiful (and expensive) clothes I have ever seen. The bike was so nice and it allowed us to see more of the area, like the huge park that sprawls throughout Marina Di Pietrasanta.

So, if any of you want to do a beach Vacay in italia, I recommend hotel Apuana for a modest stay. It is the perfect place for a relaxing time and plenty of sun!

Now, we are in FLorence and it is so hot, I could die. I have to admit, last night I slept with a cold water bottle and wet socks on. I know it is nuts, but when you have on wet socks and a fan going, it makes a world of difference. I am looking forward to getting to the shop because there is air conditioning. My back is officially really messed up. I have some lower back, sciatic thing happening and it is getting worse everyday. If anyone has some tips, plese send them along. I am really uncomfy, mostly when I am sitting. Otherwise, things are good. ALex and i are going to take it easy this week. We need to work a bunch and chill out on the eating out. We went and bought healthy food last night. We have been WAY TOO NAUGHTY with the food. I don't know how the Italians stay thin, even if they do walk everyday!

Hope all is well. Please drop a line if you can. I look forward to hearing from you all!

Tanti baci!