empoli with irene, francesco, & sara

Friday morning, I took the vaporetto to the train station and then the train to Empoli. So far, no big excitement on the trains this year except for a small outburst by this older man on the eurostar train (a very comfortable train) who started yelling at another man sitting near him who was constantly talking on his cell phone. Everyone was pretty shocked by this event and quietly discussed what had happened. After his outburst, every time a cell phone rang everyone held their breath not knowing if he would explode again. He huffed and puffed a little but other than that, he stayed calm. My train arrived in Florence 10 minutes late, and luckily my next train to Empoli also left 10 minutes late and so I made the connection without any difficulty.

Francesco's mother was waiting for me at the train station. It is wonderful to see everyone again. Sara is now 2 and it talking quite a bit. She calls me "Susanna" and is so cute! At first when I would speak with my strange accent, she would look at me with a funny look, but now seems to understand some of what I am saying. Friday evening we had a very delicious meal at Francesco's parents' house. Marusca made my favorite - ravioli with burro and salve and also some eggplant, tomato, & mozzarella cheese goodies and a zucchine vegetable dish. For dessert, we had fruit and then little yogurt fruit frozen treats.

Saturday morning, I had a nice relaxing breakfast with Marusca. After breakfast, Irene, Francesco, Sara, and I went to the center to walk around and do some shopping.

(Collegiate Church of S. Andrea in Piazza Farinata degli Uberti)

We went to the fish market, to the fruit and vegetable stand, to the bread store, and a few other shops. The weather was very HOT with no air moving at all. After a delicious pasta lunch, everyone took an afternoon nap.

We went to the train station later on in the day so that I could buy my next train ticket and we also stopped at a park. When we returned home, Irene began to cook a delicious dinner of seafood with pasta and also some shish-ka-bobs with tuna, bread, tomatoes, and zucchini. Giacomo & Francesca (friends who I met last summer who later went to Boston) came for dinner. We had a great time eating and chatting and after dinner, they showed me thier pictures of thier trip to Boston. We also watched some of the soccer match of the evening...soccer is on every night here for the world cup.

Today (Sunday), I went with Irene & Francesco to watch them vote. Voting is very similar, but also somewhat different...too much to explain right now but very interesting to see. We went to Irene's parents' house for a delicious lunch of pesto pasta, a vegetable dish, a seafood dish, fruit salad and ice cream (which I was too full to have). It is always so nice to be able to spend time with both of their families when I come to Empoli.

After lunch, I spent some time on Francesco's computer updating my blog, checking in on the red sox, and checking mail. After adding to my blog on the computer, Francesco, Irene, and I watched "Fever Pitch" while Sara was napping. When Sara woke up, we went for a walk to a different park.

For dinner, we went with Francesco's parents to this wonderful place called Ristorante Pizzeria Lo Spigo in Montelupo Fiorentino. The restaurant was located above the town up on a hill with amazing views of the valley below. The restaurant was very crowded and the food was excellent. What a wonderful way to end my weekend with my dear friends in Empoli.

(views from Ristorante Pizzeria Lo Spigo in Montelupo Fiorentino)

until later...

ciao!

**Update - Aug 20, 2006 - It's a boy!!!
Irene & Gabriele are both doing fine :-)

why Empoli??

Next on my trip, will be a visit to Empoli, a town located about 30 minutes from Florence (Firenze). This is where my dear friends Irene and Francesco live.

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.