Piazza della Vittoria in the center of Empoli.
Piazza Farinata degli Uberti or Piazza dei Leoni
The tower of S. Brigida - ruins of the third and last circle of walls.When planning my first trip to Europe back in 1999, I found a great travel discussion board which was very helpful in planning my trip. I was very fortunate to meet Francesco on this board. I was looking for information on Florence and he was interested in learning more English.
We began to write back and forth and after a few months of corresponding, we decided to meet for dinner during my stay in Florence. My mom was nervous about me meeting a strange man that I had met over the internet. I assured her that after many months of corresponding and the fact that he was bringing his girlfriend, Irene with him, everything would be fine.
We enjoyed a delicious dinner at Il Pizzaiuolo and then went up to Piazza Michelangelo, which overlooks the city of Florence. It was a wonderful night. I returned to Italy the following summer. Francesco and Irene met me while I was staying in Siena. We spent a wonderful afternoon and evening together.
In April 2001, Francesco and Irene were married. I was invited to the wedding but unfortunately could not attend due to my work schedule. We met again that summer. Francesco met me in Florence and brought me back to their house in Empoli where Irene was waiting for us. They have a beautiful house built on a lot next door to his parents. This was my first time in Empoli. We had a delicous dinner with 16 of their friends. Irene is a fabulous cook! After dinner, we watched their wedding video and had a great time chatting and laughing.
In 2003, I spent the weekend in Empoli with Irene and Francesco. I stayed at Francesco's parents house next door. His parents are very kind and I felt right at home. On Sunday, we had a huge lunch at Irene's parent's house. After we finished eating, Irene's father proceeded to tell me in great detail (all in Italian) that bull fighting was a good sport. This conversation started because there was a wall hanging with a picture of a bull and bullfighter in their house. I mentioned that I thought that it was a sad way for a bull to die. He became very animated as he told me step by step with gestures and expressions about the bullfighting. Everyone was in tears laughing and each time we thought he was finished, he would continue with more information. It was a very delicious and memorable lunch!
I happened to be in Empoli the weekend of the Corpus Domini celebration. We went to the center of the town to watch the religious procession, a parade with the priests, some church members including Francesco's parents, and children that have received first communion from each church. At the end of the procession was the town band.
That evening, we had a delicious dinner at Francesco's house. I brought a little package of li hing mui with me. Those of you that have tasted li hing mui know that it has a very strong taste and you either love it or hate it. Everyone tried some after dinner. It was pretty funny watching their expressions. Francesco was sure that his father would not like it. He ended up being the only one that did like it and proceeded to eat 2 pieces saying it was better than the ice cream we had! We were all in tears laughing so hard. It was a wonderful weekend.
The following May 2004, Irene and Francesco had a baby girl named Sara. I could not wait to meet her. I returned to Italy last summer and spent another wonderful weekend in Empoli with Irene and Francesco, their adorable daughter Sara, both of their families, and some of their friends. My adventure last summer in Empoli, including making butter mochi, is in my 2005 blog.
And so that brings me to this summer when I will return for another visit...AND...there is big news - Irene is pregnant!! She is due in August.
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