Three Peas in a Pod V

by Julianna Squicciarini

This morning, we rose early. We quickly packed our things, ate our complimentary breakfast, and hopped into the car for our five-hour drive to Boston.

We drove through Connecticut and Rhode Island, stopping in Mystic along the way (very cute town, TOTALLY wish we had more time to enjoy!).

Finally, Boston was upon us. It’s a marvelous mix of big city and historic village, featuring streets lined with shops and restaurants, like a small town, built in the crumbling or stained brick of yesteryear. And there were many streets like that. Streets and streets of it. Which makes it feel like a big city – because it is.

In the center of everything is a large park, and there was some kind of rally going on today, of which we were not a part. We ate lunch there, after finding (baruch HaShem) parking for the Accent.

We walked to North End, which feels like little Italy. Almost every single restaurant is Italian, there was a delicious gelateria, and we even heard some men speaking to each other in Italian. Eating my amaretto gelato with a small plastic spoon, walking the brick streets of Boston, has become one of my favorite times on this trip (if not at the absolute top).

Boston, unbeknownst to me prior to arriving here, has a sobering Holocaust memorial at the intersection of Congress and Hanover. It’s six, tall, square glass cylinders, each pane of which is covered with the identification numbers of those who died in the Holocaust. Since about 6,000,000 Jews died, each pillar must contain about a million numbers, which is mind-blowing. This, paired with quotes from survivors, etched into the glass, made for a stunning exhibit.

We finished the day here in our hotel, which is definitely a step up from the previous one. Although we had planned to have dinner at a cool place in Boston, we stretched the ever-flexible rubber band of our schedule and stayed here instead, enjoying light fare at the restaurant downstairs.

I think we’re all tired from the five hours of driving and three hours of walking. As I type, the room is quiet, Christine flipping through the pictures she’s taken, Peter watching some kind of YouTube video on his phone as gentle music wafts out of its tiny speakers. Feet up, pajamas on…it’s time for a cozy night in.

Under the Tuscan Sun: Epilogue

by Julianna Squicciarini

And finally, we come to the close of our exciting Tuscan adventure.  On Monday, around 3:30pm, our parents flew into the Charlotte airport, made it through security without any…ahem..issues, and walked out the airport doors just as we drove up.  It couldn’t have been more perfect.

They brought back tons of special Italian stuff from the region in which they stayed, including Chianti, Pecorino cheese, and many bottles of Extra Virgin Olive Oil.  Things have definitely taken a more delicious and gourmet turn since they came home.  They also brought back Italian glass jewelry for us girls and a beautiful pocketknife for Peter.  Leather products such as lipstick cases (!) and wallets were also distributed.  I tell you – when my parents are visiting another country, they spare no expense (good for us ).

The evening of their return, we all sat in the family room and looked through their – I kid you not – SEVEN HUNDRED AND FIFTY-SIX pictures.  756!  Happily, our esteemed father has finally gotten the memo that scenery is never as beautiful in a photograph as when seen in person, and also that putting people in the picture makes it more interesting for those who weren’t there

It’s great having them back!  We DID miss them

Under The Tuscan Sun: Day 10

Our Shabbat was looked forward to after a long week of hard work. People may think that while our parents are gone, we’ve been partying, sleeping and eating… and as everyone knows, we did party – just not as often as you’d suspect while Mom and Dad have been gone. The main point is, we were beat…

Also, we were invited to a delicious meal (lunch) with the Stelzl family in Waxhaw. It was delightful, and afterwards we made a few stops to see some other friends. Great time

Meanwhile, the ‘Rents have been enjoying a day at “Piazzale Michelangelo,” a terrace overlooking the best view of Florence. We heard they took lots of pictures! They also went to an art museum which sounded incredible!

Overall, our day included well deserved rest, which we thoroughly enjoyed. Only a few more days to relax, right?

Under The Tuscan Sun: Day 9

Well, the long week has drawn to a quick and concise close. Our parents definitely seem to be enjoying themselves, as is expressed almost bi-daily on the phone. While they leisurely drove through ‘soft-shaped, serene hills of Chianti’, on the way to one of Tuscany’s oldest wineries, we were up getting gas. Readers should keep in mind the 6 hour time difference and realize the probability of extreme early departure on the American side.

Although many of our closet friends and beloved relatives stressed that conserving the gas was the most prudent decision, we decided to drive to dozens of those same friends and relatives. This may have seemed ludicrous, or even at the least slightly dangerous, but it made our visits that much more special.

We are now anticipating the bittersweet arrival of our parents in just a couple days. And until then: the partying continues!

Under the Tuscan Sun: Day 4

The cats are still away; the mice still play.

The tour continues; the party continues.

The absent parents enjoy an unceasing Tuscan vista; the children invigilate small toddlers with much the same predicament.