Firming Up Plans

This whole trip thing, which up until now has almost seemed like a somewhat frightening dream, is beginning to take shape. As a result, it is becoming much more real to me. I'm finding that as we make some concrete plans, I am a wee bit less nervous about the trip. We have made arrangements for a car, paid for with today's dollars (which are steadily getting worse). It is a small convertible (important to my husband) with a diesel engine that offers great gas mileage. This is critical as gas prices are horrendous in Europe. The high prices, however, are a bit less startling as prices in the US rise. We also have arranged for an apartment for the month of July just outside of Certaldo, a hill town in Tuscany, a few miles from San Gimignano. As you can see from the photos, it is a lovely location, and I am already dreaming of making fine dinners and sitting on my balcony with a glass of vino rosso and enjoying my delightful view of the surrounding hill towns.