Will someone copy and paste all of Lucy's posts into a new thread that contains only her posts?<BR><BR>Call it "Lucy's Report - Unabridged" or something like that. It will allow us to read it uninterupted.<BR><BR>This has the makings of something.<BR><BR>Thanks.<BR>

xxx<BR>why don't you do it?<BR>

Dear Lucy<BR><BR>I visited the exact same places on my trip to Italy - minus this romance. However, had an awsome time.

Lucy: Love to read this! Keep it coming. (I'm dying to get to the part when you tell us whether or not G. was good.) Sallie

I'm lost. I thought I was at a travel forum but somehow ended up at the Bad Romance Writers' forum.

Well if you aren't lost Jim, get lost. She adds travel to her story, how else would we find out about truck stops on the autostrada? You have anything better to add?

Sorry Jim, but....<BR><BR>We passed a small pensione. I asked him to please stop for a moment. When we pulled over to the side of the road I said I could/would stay in the pensione and we could meet again tomorrow. A look of surprise/amusement swept over his face briefly, then he took my hands and said the two words that, to me, if sincere, are the best that any man could say to me.I understand. I explained my feelings and he said ok, we will do whatever makes you feel comfortable. Then he said, but if you want you can have the whole ground level floor of the villa and the keys to my car to keep with you to leave if you want. I had to laugh and agreed and we set off again. Soon we turned onto a gravel road and crossed a little stream running across it. Past some trees and turned into a gated driveway. It was a remodeled two story farmhouse lit up from every window and set in the middle of a garden. We could hear music coming from the side of the house. <BR>Let me know if you want a description of a typical farmhouse that is common in Tuscany, for I know some of you are looking into places to rent. I had no idea what to expect, and was surprised and comforted at the casual elegance of the farmhouse, and the warmth of the hosts. You could feel the peace and, for want of a better phrase right now, good vibes emanating from it. <BR>We walked into the big, long dining room/kitchen where there was large country style wooden table where the couple sat and were drinking vino and listening to music.. They had a delicious tuscan soup, nice and thick with vegetables, just-made bread with thick crust, cheese, olive oil and fruit waiting for us. Delicious.<BR><BR>The hostess was very sweet and understanding. She showed me my room on the ground floor as promised. <BR>After dinner, I was mentally exhausted, so I went to my room and this first night slept soundly, alone, with only the sound of a coo coo bird outside my window to keep me company. Which was fine with me, for now.<BR><BR>

Oh I can taste that soup and the vino and I can hear the soft music and imagine the atmosphere of that room. It is heavenly, I wish I was there right now! Don't make us wait until Monday, keep going Lucy.

Hats off to "Lucy." You should publish this stuff! I have to comment on your 4-16-02 post (at 1:23pm) about "Giancarlo" "...taking the curves slowly..." You WERE talking about the ROAD, right???<BR><BR>I have to say that some of the best Italian food I had over there was at the rest areas on the autostrada. I love the chianti on tap!!! Lucy, you rock!<BR><BR>P.S. I love watching Ozzy on TV, too!

Yes, I would like a description of a farmhouse in Tuscany. I really am thinking of renting one, and would like to know first hand what to expect? And I love the way you describe things, and yes Goldie Hawn should play you, I just can't think who would play Giancarlo.<BR>

Hi Patsy, the farm house we stayed in is alot like all the other one's we saw in Tuscany. It was two story with the entrance on the longest part of the home. The entry, with a floor to ceiling old wooden door, led straight to the curved stairs and to it's right was another wooden door that led into the kitchen/dining area. On the left was another great door that led into a little kitchenette and beyond that was a hallway with first one bedroom with a large niche,like for a statue, on the right and then further on the hall on the left was the bedroom I stayed in that had floor to ceiling "french" glass doors that led to the garden, at the end of the hall was a bathroom and to the right a little sitting area/library. Upstairs was a great room with a fireplace that you could walk into, with two stone benches on either side, from this room you could access the three bedrooms and two bathrooms, one ensuite. All the rooms had high wooden beamed ceilings and very big casement windows w/o screens. The grounds were expansive with a pool that they fill in May. The house had thick, about 15 inches, at least, walls that kept it insulated. I was told the restorers had kept it as original as possible. The touch I liked was the hidden lighting in the nooks of the overhead beams lighting the ceilings, very romantic. It seems that without much effort the Italians can create romance and beauty and fine living in their everyday life.

Yes Lucy, keep it coming. We all can either remember our own "Italian experiences", or dream of the ones we will have. I hope G took you to one or two of the small local winemakers. Or to some of the "slow" dinner resturants. Incredible Italians.<BR>Continue please.

Lucy-Where are you today...Please don't take the weekend off.

To the top

Okay all of you don't you realize Lucy is getting a great laugh at your expense? Don't you also realize she is just giving you bits and pieces taunting you like a trainer would a hungry tiger. She could have told all of her story in one or two days at tops.<BR><BR>I don't like the idea of her doing that to some of you. You all sound so nice and sincere and she's the complete opposite.

Don't worry, "Lucy's untrue", at least half the respondents are treating it as a soap opera. Maybe it's all true, maybe it isn't - does it matter? She hasn't been caught out on her factual information about Italy, in any case. Lucy's got the cliffhanger down to a fine art, and we are getting to read it for free!

What?! You mean I can't fly over to Italy and meet a Giancarlo of my own who will take me fabulous places and introduce me to all of his friends? Maybe I can just connect with the tomato guy. I already bought my ticket!<BR><BR>Keep sharing Lucy.

Yes, you can have the same experience as Lucy. I have. The Italians are so proud of their country, they want to show it to everyone, in a personal way. Yes, they have that romantic side that is impossible to resist. And why resist? To see Italy through the eyes of an Italian is priceless. Lucy has shared her experience to excite travelers to visit a magnificent country. Maybe she should'nt have, now everyone will go. But with or without a handsome Italian man at your side, Italy is a treasure.<BR>Thanks Lucy.

........and while we are patiently waiting the rest of the story, RUN to your nearest bookstore and buy a copy of THE ITALIAN AFFAIR by Laura Fraser.<BR><BR>It's not quite so hang-by-the-edge .... but it will do until Lucy is through with her weekend and back to us. <BR><BR>P.S. ITALIAN AFFAIR turns out to be<BR> non-fiction and is also written<BR> by a So. California gal who just happens to be taking Italian in<BR> Adult school, also!

Oh, that is funny I didn't know that the Italian Affair author and I shared our area and interests. I will really have to read it now. I am not really trying to insult any of you by posting in bits and pieces. I could, of course, have summed up the trip n the title of the post. I just think I would like to read a narrative in pieces, I think it is more interesting. Anyway, thanks for the compliments and comments, and encouragement, lol at the "tomato guy". I am writing all these posts just as I sit at the computer, and this is a really busy weekend, I just popped in for a look. I will be back this evening PDT. <BR>Have a great weekend everyone.