Yahooooo we are connected!!!!

Wow! You wouldn't believe how tracking down an internet connection or using a telephone can turn into an event around here.
Aviva and I got up early yesterday to use the phone and an hour later Aviva was actually speaking to Rumon and I was crying in the booth next to her. How can punching a few numbers be so utterly frustrating? Well it can. After two coffees, one well made cappucino and one strong americano, we felt much relief. As well, trrying to use the computers out here is like wishing on a star---maybe it'll work---ummmmm probably not.

However! This morning Aviva and I got up at the crack of dawn---if the singing panini maker isn't waking us up with song, then we can count on Cortona's various bells tolling to do the trick. We dressed in hurry and hoofed our way up the street (you see the Americans told us of the secret internet channel---you have to sit in one spot as well there happens to be chairs here---the catch? It's a fancy restaurant and you need to be out of sight before 11am). Here we are, strong americanos in hand, and computers out and in use---it's a good way to start the day.

So! We love Cortona ofcoarse as it is beautiful and full of amazing things to see. The other night we went out for dinner (late again) and we decided to indulge in one of our favorite treats---Ice cream at Snoopy's. YOU DON"T UNDERSTAND---we DON"t have icecream like that in Canada! Naturally we need to eat their lovely products often in order to taste the variety of flavors available to us in such a short time. One day we hit the joint twice! The owners may start addressingus by name soon. We discovered that the Italians are nuts for Nutella---it's everywhere and in many things---and in the ice cream too! Back to our dinner and dessert plans. We made our way up the stone laden street, past the famous clock tower (if you google Cortona and see the main piazza you will see the clock tower and the steps---this is our main area to 'live' in. We shop for fresh produce and get our many cups of coffee around the corner, sit ont the steps and people watch, and walk thru for 10 million reasons). We went to buy icecream and heard ABBA yet again AND Dancing Queen being played live! We looked at each other and laughed out loud---what luck yet again! We purchased two ice cream delights and sat down to listen to a live Italian band singing in English! They rocked us to the tunes of Queen, Abba, and various other artists. The little children danced in the square while the parents sat down to enjoy a cigarette and a drink. The various stallions came out too. Clans of young men scoping out the night trooped together. Older Ricko Suaves also made their coloned way through the crowds, looking for catches along the way. The fashion here is different. Men wear very colorful clothes, pink, yellow, green, and purple jeans are common. Loafers fashioned out of suade and colored blue and red can be seen worn by very happy men. The men also wear sweaters wrapped around their necks and shoulders (it does look very chic). And the women, gorgeous! The women love their bling! Shinny rings, shoes with trinkets, flowy dresses, and plunging neck lines are all very common. People love scent! The Europeans splash on perfume and colone to do errands and mingle (I am in heaven!).

Ummmmm what else---Aviva and I are enjoying our excursion to the pool at the end of town. Our first trip included arriving by the 'behind the scenes' way (basically everyone else arrives by car and we seem to pop out of the bushes at the back of the building. So out of nowhere we show up to a disco pumping environment! Techno at the pool---not a bad way to make a humble entrance. Well, I was after all armed wiht my Gold Bikini so I was in fact prepared for this type of pool-side attire. An outdoor pool is a fantastic thing. You get a lounge chair equipped wiht a face shield for some serious tanning. Aviva and I think that tanning is a sport here---people are brown/black around here and they really get down to business.

The other day we decided to go to Assisi and our train down the mountain was leaving in half an hour. Apparently if you take a short cut you can walk down the mountain and arrive in such time. Hey why not? Sandals, dresses, and water we started power walking down in the heat of the day! Our luck changed when a small little blue truck (may I add this truck was a mini---I mean MINI truck---probably sits ONE well) pulled over. Oh Grandpa was so happy to see us and offered us a lift. No English. No teeth. Not much understood on our side either---ha ha ha. We repeated 'treno and stazione' repeatedly and he nodded. Um, Aviva and I had to share one seat. Are we married he wanted to know, with one hand patting Aviva's knee. The answer didn't much matter, he was happy to be next to a beautiful blonde. He dropped us off and tried very hard to get a kiss goodbye, his valiant efforts refused. The bottom line, we made it to the train on time and able to get to Assisi without a hitch.

Assisi is just as beautiful as Cortona and if I can move fast this morning I can probably post some pictures. My wifi is working and hopefully my battery lasts. Wow! We are currently smelling the fumes of a little three wheeled truck putting it's way up the 90degree incline street we are sitting on---did I mention that the street is maybe (Aviva's feet wide) 13 feet wide---when the cars go by you NEED to step OUT of the way, climb up a step or get into a door way!

Okay---I need to get to some pictures!

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Momo---Yes I did try calling and I couldn't get thru (those were the tears I shed in the cubicle yesterday) and thanks to RUmon I was able to hear that my message was received by mom (the internet and phones were not working so it was just a frustrating moment to deal with and you know very well how I do when I can't do anything at all---there was no heap of clothes to fall into---ha ha ha). As this link is working I'm just going to tell you here and now that I love you and miss you and that I look forward to seeing your facebook pictures of you and Claude in Banff---the connection are weak and I can't see pictures half the time---so when I connect I'll be leaving remarks for sure.

And Claudious Maximous---I met a french couple yesterday who live in the North of Paris and claim that the NORTH must be seen. Just talking in french about vineyards, castles, and sight seeing reminded me of our soon to be visit and it made me very excited about seeing you soon!!!!!! Hug Etienne for me and know that you both are close mind---often.

Mom et Dad---Biensur que je pense a vous, que je vous aime, et que j'ai hate de vous parler.

Sarah and Jeremiahhhhhh---Your Birthdays are this week and both of you have been in our thoughts and I look forward to celebrating when we get back. Bonne Fete Sarah. Bonne Fete Jeremy.

Okay---Pictures and MAY it work!!!!!