Such a lovely day in Sorrento, and what a wonderful weekend it was with Katie and her parents, I hate to leave so soon!  But today is Monday afternoon and I have class in an hour and a half.  Though as I sit here looking out the windows on the Eurostar racing past the lush green fields of the Tuscan countryside, I feel like I am in paradise.  The stress of school and finals and presentations subsides.  The sun, finally out and shining brilliantly is calming and the small farm towns are quaint and look inviting.  Ahh, the simple life.  The monitor says that Florence will be up to 18 degrees Celsius today (whatever that means) but there is a bright yellow sun next to it so I know that means good things!  I’ve been watching and listening to these three adorable, old Italian ladies for some time, talking and laughing and enjoying life.  Exchanging stories about their grandchildren and life it self.  One of the ladies gave the others a leaf from an olive branch.  The two recipients were very grateful and happy.  I assume it is of some importance as many of the children in Sorrento were carrying olive branches around town.  My guess is that it has something to do with Pasqua, or Easter and the olive branches represent luck or good fortune or something of the sort… Time for some research!

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