Florence + the Machine

It's nearly midnight and I have hijacked the b&b computer. The owner is down the hall, and it sounds like he could be wrapping some early christmas gifts. Brad needed to eat again so he went down to a pizza/kebab place and is watching italian MTV in our room while he eats. It's crazy how normal this all feels...
The day was spent shopping.. we're both addicted to all the leather in the open market here. Vegan friends, our apologies in advance. Everything here is just so well made and different than anything you can find in Cali!
After all the crazy shopping, we finally got around to climbing the dome. I had done it before and knew what to expect.. 463 steps to the top is no joke. Brad glanced at the dome from our position in line on the ground and decided it was an easy 10 stories high. Needless to say, by the time we reached the base of the dome, he was beat. His flat feet thumped up the spiral cement staircase and echoed throughout the entire church. We finally emerged at the top and took in the spectacular view. I had explained to Brad before we went up that the marble at the top makes for a slippery surface and the last time I had been up there with Lauryn, she slipped and I sort of had to help save her life. Naturally, Brad did the same (camera rolling) and was super spooked. Then he accused me of not warning him. Ha!!!!!!!!!!
We hiked down and hobbled around on wobbly legs, searching in vain for a couple of recommended restaurants. We found one of them but it didn't open until an hour after we got there so we passed. We settled on a little pizzeria near a gelato place we were told not to miss. The waitress was an older lady who refused to speak english. Which was fine, but it meant she had to ask me "mangiaore o bebende" (or something) in a thick accent several times before I got it- dinner or just drinks? Honestly it didn't sound anything like what she was trying to say so I don't blame myself for being confused. Brad ordered a pizza and I had pear and cheese ravioli (thanks, Darbs!!). My food was delicious, but Brad's was a slippery mess. He spilled on his nice white shirt TWICE and was so frazzled that we left in a hurry. Now don't ask me why, but Senor Brad decided to fasten his watch around a bottle of water while we ate. Of course, when we left, the water and watch were left behind and a few blocks after I discovered the worlds best gelato, he realized it was missing and ran like a bat out of hell without speaking a word. As I watched his massive calves speed through the narrow road, it became clear he wasn't thinking and suddenly I stared in horror, along with several other tourists and Florentines, Bradshitcrazy slam his fists into the back of a car and do an action hero leap around the side that literally caused every single person to freeze and make sounds that sounded like "what the hell" in every language imaginable. He didn't stop and kept running until he disappeared into the doorway of the pizzeria.
The waiters had thrown out the water and all laughed when Brad fished it out of the trash can. He was completely nuts! We are constantly being reminded to take things slow and watch for moving sidewalks and vehicles. When we arrive in the Cinque Terre tomorrow, I'm sure that will be easier to do. We plan to just plain relax and enjoy a bit of hiking and swimming in a place neither of us have been, but heard so much about! Special shout out to all our coworkers who have told us great things!!