Air, Landier, and Sea

Today was our first fully non-scheduled day. We enjoyed walking around in Florence, visiting shops, and returning to our favorite restaurant for more chickpea flour pancakes stuffed with prosciutto.

We then transferred to our new hotel where we met up with the rest of our tour group. Posts will likely be a little more sporadic from now on, since our days are likely to be a little more booked, but we’re excited for the adventures.

Our room has a fantastic view, overlooking the river and Ponte Vecchio. We kicked off part II of the trip with champagne and macarons, provided by the hotel.

Our first order of business meeting up with the group was COVID testing. I was really nervous about this part, not because I felt sick, but the idea of coming all this way to be sent home before the trip began was anxiety-inducing. Thankfully, everyone tested negative! Yes, everyone! We are very grateful for our and everyone else’s health!

After testing and some downtime, we attended a beautiful dinner at one of the Ferragamo estates. Everyone was instructed to dress in white and the ladies were given beautifully colored shawls and the men colored ties.

Since it was so hot, they didn’t make us wear the shawls or the ties, but now we have them for a future occasion.

As we entered the dining room, a string quartet played pop music. The quartet played three different sets throughout the evening and even did three outfit changes (I was impressed with the music and the variety of gowns).

Not only were the gowns and the music lovely, but the room was covered in frescos and the centerpieces were gorgeous.

It was a wonderful welcome to our trip. And then we had to do an icebreaker.

As an introvert, group icebreakers are my Hell. I know that sounds a tad dramatic, but having to come up with something unique about myself, that I didn’t write out in my bio (so I couldn’t say I’m a physical therapist, am a die-hard Cowboys fan, have a blog, teach Pilates, or am obsessed with my dog), that people will likely still not know about me by the end of the trip (not kidding that was the ice breaker prompt) in the next five minutes before the microphone is handed to me is very stressful.

Luckily I didn’t have to follow the woman who won the grand prize on College Week of Wheel of Fortune. Don’t you hate it that there are people in the world who truly have a unique fact that they can pull out at a moments notice like that?

So what was my interesting fact, you’re wondering? That I’m introverted. Yes, I basically stood up in front of a room full of strangers and told them I don’t really want to do this icebreaker, thank you very much.

Here’s just a little aside on introversion, while I have a captive audience. While I really don’t care for an icebreaker, I do think saying I’m introverted gets translated as “I don’t want to talk to people,” which isn’t true.

So of course, I felt a little self-conscious about sharing that “fun fact” until someone else also shared that she was introverted. I felt like I opened up the floor to the other introverts out there to know it’s okay to be themselves. So when that woman shared she was also an introvert I did a little fist pump (in my mind of course, because I’m still introverted).

And then pretty much everyone after that shared that they were extroverted in addition to their unique fact.

I do find it funny when extroverts feel the need to share that they’re extroverts. Here’s a little tip from an introvert- we already know!

Because our society typically rewards extroversion as “putting yourself out there” or “being bold” or “saying what you think” or just plain being fun and interesting, most introverts spend a lot of time trying to be extroverted, but the reverse doesn’t typically happen.

So to all you extroverts out there, I love you, I know who you are, and I am so glad you’re here to keep the conversation going, because I could and would sit in silence during dinner.

Since I was so self-conscious about my introvert share I tried to overshare to seem more approachable, so I included that Bryce is typically the night owl and I’m the early bird, but when we travel that’s flip-flopped. Did I mention I hate icebreakers? And once again, praise the Lord I didn’t have to follow the Wheel of Fortune winner. I really need to start thinking of more unique things that no one knows, that I didn’t include in my bio, that no one may ever find out about me in the course of three weeks.

Our turn was salvaged by Bryce’s share that this was our Honeymoon and everyone gave us a huge round of applause and congratulations which was very sweet!