Due. Firenze. Per favore.

I've started learning basic Italian. Thankfully, studying Spanish and French a million years ago is making things a lot easier. I have an admittedly freakish ability to learn languages- but that could be to my detriment. They're so similar, I could mix all three and sound like the most confused tourist EVER. So far, Italian is closer to Spanish than French, I spent more time studying Spanish, so I think we'll make it. I mean, I first learned Spanish, and gato was a cat. Then, I learned French and gateau was a cake- not 2 things you want to confuse. Now, with Italian, gatto is back to being a cat. That's a good sign. I'm more comfortable with it being a cat.

Makes me think of one of my foreign language teachers back in high school. He was fluent in 7 languages- he was amazing. I took 2 years with him, 1 year in Spanish and 1 year in French. He spoke only the foreign language in his class and would allow us to speak only the foreign language. Cool thing was, in French class, he would be speaking to the class in French, turn to write on the board, turn around see me, turn back around and start speaking Spanish without skipping a beat. I'd have to interrupt him and remind him we were in French class. That is geeky awesomeness.

Anyway, I may not get it right speaking it (keeping up with conversation when you never have an opportunity to practice is difficult and that's with languages your comfortable with), but I'll definitely be able to read the basics enough to get us around. And fed. And happy on awesome wine. And to the gorgeous hotel. And to Via por Santa Maria for Camper shoes. What? The museums and galleries are closed on Mondays- and a girl's got to shop for her favorite shoes! We'll have all the other days for the museums and galleries.

That's called having your cake and eating it, too.