OK, back now!

Well, as I was saying, Thursday stunk!

After Vanessa and Liana's test, we went to get some lunch at pizza place on del Corso, which also has some great shops, and our friends live near there. First, we went to the teller machine so Liana and I could get some cash. Then we went to the pizza place, where it was horribly crowded.

We ate, and Liana went back for her late class, while Vanessa and I slowly ambled down the street. At one point, I felt somebody bump my backpack, but when I turned around, all I could see were a couple of Asian tourists behind a map, and they immediately went into a shop window.

Few minutes after that, we saw our friend Mark walking down the street. He was on his way to get a pastry and invited us up to see their apartment (they have a gorgeous fresco on the ceiling). We went up, and as we walked in, his roomate, Dave, showed me a postcard of a whizzer, thinking to shock me no doubt (these are college guys - no couth, LOL), so I politely proceeded to show him that not only had I seen it, I had bought the whole calendar! When I opened my backpack, I found that my wallet was missing! Oh hell!!!!! It had my passport, a whole bunch of euros, my museum pass, and all my receipts!

I immediately panicked and called Fon. As usual, he proved to be the most wonderful husband anybody on earth could have. He took care of cancelling cards, and wired me some money so I could function. He really went above and beyond the call of duty for that one! Between him and Vanessa, they calmed me down, and in the middle of all that was a hailstorm, a rare occurrence in Florence.

After the storm passed, we went back to the school, and met Liana, and from there went to the Questura to file a police report. Monday I'll have to go to the embassy and get an appointment for a new passport. Sigh.......

All's well that ends well on that issue, but it was an expensive incident. It truly sucked. But my husband is wonderful and takes very good care of me, even when I make it hard on him!