July 4, Mom and Me in Italy

I met up with my mom after Burt left for the airport. Once he was safely on a plane heading home we walked into town to get lunch and do a little shopping. 

We had lunch at a restaurant recommended by TripAdvisor. I think that it is always best to go with a place that is recommended. 

 

Next we walked over the Ponte Vecchio bridge. 

And we stopped at the leather market and did a little shopping, picking up some souvenirs and gifts.  😉 

I also got an Italian phone plan so that I could feel more secure with travel issues. I called Hertz and adjusted Burt's car rental so he could get home. 

Shopping wore us out, we were there until the open market stalls closed, then we looked for a place to have dinner. We stumbled across the beautiful Duomo an decided to eat at a cafe right next to it so we could enjoy the view. 

 

 

I ordered gnocci and it was the first really good gnocchi that I have had so far in Italy. We wandered around some more and tried to figure out how to get back to our b&b. 

It took us quite a while to find a bus but finally we managed. 

June 18: Wasting time in LA

We arrived early to LA, so we decided to spend some time shopping at the Westfield Mall before our flight.  
And then we saw a photo booth.......We can all three cram in there, right?
 

 

Then we headed on over to LAX and made it through security lickety split, but Burt did have to go through the scanner with the whole titanium knee situation he has going on which sets off the metal detectors. I am happy to say, however, that he made it past unscathed and unviolated, unlike his last TSA encounter. 😳

Next, with a few hours to kill at the airport before boarding we had lunch, and enjoyed free wifi while watching a myriad of planes land, load, and depart. Not a bad view...

 

 

  We even got to enjoy an afternoon treat of pinkberry😋