Monday

So, Monday was a day of travel. We took the bus to Assisi. I'm pretty sure everyone was in agreement that it was a beautiful little town and we wish we had more time there.

The Church is covered in frescoes, and it is quite a sight to behold.

We continued on our way to Florence and arrived by 5pm. The kids were given free time until dinner and Ty led a group to the river and the Pont di Vecchio. He has a great sense of direction, and we are all mightily impressed. Others stayed in their rooms and cleaned up. Ms. Toney and I had the world's smallest bathroom. To be specific our toilet is actually IN the shower. Some of the girls had a suite . . . We are going on strike for a bigger bathroom in the next hotel!!



We met the 9 students from San Antonio's Alamo Heights that will be with us the rest of the trip before heading out to dinner. The kids seemed to get along well, so that is a relief. This would be a lot less fun if they didn't get along!

All of Florence is in walking distance, so, of course, we walked through Piazza Signoria and on to the Ponte Vecchio for those that hadn't been yet.

The waiter at The Porcupine was great, especially since he is a huge Texas fan and he even has something on his key chain that played the UT fight song.

After dinner we walked around town a bit before setting the kids free for their 10:30pm check-in. I'm highly amused my the children's great desire to get to stay up late, especially since the adults are totally dragging and ready for bed by 9pm. They have a little sympathy when I remind them that we have to stay up an hour after they do to be sure their little heads are on the pillow . . . but given half a chance I think they would party all night ; )