What a superb weekend! A Florentine reunion of MIB XVII saw 12 of us get together for a weekend reminiscent of our Triestine days. I have a lot of fabulous memories from the weekend, but perhaps the best are the moments that each person arrived after a couple of months of not seeing each other. It was wonderful - Wally in Piazza Della Republica, with his backpack, Ciccio and Chris getting off the train in the station, Vlasta in our residence, Ale and Elis arriving at the bar at the top of La Rinascente and Dani and Amalia on the corner of Via Porcellana outside the restaurant. Anyone watching would think it had been a lot longer since we had got together!
We spent Friday night in Oltrarno in Piazza Santa Spirito, having a drink by the fountain at the open bar.
Saturday we headed to Sant'Ambrogio - the pic shows the guys near to the tripe van - an ape turned into a mini gastronomic locale by the owners. (We tried a panino with tripe and a drop of red wine to wash it down with - not as bad as it sounds, really - although I won't be indulging every weekend!)
Next stop, another place from the Slow Food guide, hidden under an arch 2 steps from the Ponte Vecchio, where we wolfed down fantastic panini and for me, proscuitto and melon. The oppressive heat got to us all after a while and after a rest on the steps near the Uffizi it was time for a cold beer to refresh ourselves - one near to Piazza Santa Maria Novella - where Marina, Andrea and I stopped for dinner the night before our interviews in May, and the others on the roof of La Rinascente.
Saturday night, our favourite osteria was closed, so we went to a place next door, a bit too touristy for my tastes, but with a nice atmosphere. Cocktails in Slowly rounded off the night for most, but Wally and I struggled to get back to the residence - ending up with a 2 hour walk back in the early hours of the morning. A nice chat, but I could have done with a few more hours in bed.
The climax of the weekend though, was Sunday, when we headed up into the Chianti hills altogether for lunch. It was an incredible day and with perfect weather and great food, we had a chance to really catch up with each other. If we could only now start earning the money we need before we spend it, things would be even better!
A final stop on the way back to the city for some pics before people had to leave to get back to real life. After we saw Vlasta off at the station, Ale, Elis, Massi, Marina and I had a last drink together in Piazza della Signoria, as Ale regailed us with stories of Florentine history.
Incredible really to see everyone, so thanks to all for making the time and the effort to come. And also big hugs to those who couldn't make it, but wanted to. See you at the next reunion! (We are already planning....)
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