Leaving on a jetplane

Tomorrow, I will leave for Amsterdam to start my first Tax-payer sponsored vacation, no I mean business trip... Well, I AM going to learn something and meet people at the World Biomateirals Congress, of course, which is of great importance to my country... blah blah...

Amsterdam, Brussels, Rome, Florence, Piedmont/Torina, Genoa, Milan are the destinations and, of course, Matteo's wedding is the main event. I will meet up with Nadeen in Amsterdam, pick up Victoria in Rome, coordinate with Clare and Joe to gather momentum for partying it up at the wedding. Stay tuned for the report!

Other Maps

Amsterdam
Roma
Torino/Wedding area
and let me try to embed it...

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Research for Florence

So I figured out how to customize Google Maps... (I know, I know... I should've known...)
Here is a first try for tour spots in Florence, or I should say Firenze...
Grace's Firenze map

I didn't get a guide book yet so these are just quick searches of points, including from the New York Times 36 hrs in Florence article. If anyone has any recommendations, please let us know!! And Nadeen and Victoria, please add the points that you are interested in!!

Flower Market

There is a weekend flower market close to our house. There is also a jade/antique market next to it that is very popular with tourists. The flower market is always teaming with people, especially on a nice day like yesterday. Most of the merchandise there are potted plants, with some cut flowers and planters, seeds, soil, fertilizers etc. I bought some herbs there (which I am proud to report, has past the one month mark so they are going to live! Thanks Dad!) like rosemary and thyme. It is just a fun place to browse, if you don't mind the crowd, and with my complete ignorance in gardening, is fascinating. There are lots of moss and orchids that is very popular here, with the humidity and all. The light purple orchids in the picture looks really amazing... but I don't think I can do it any justice with my black thumb. There are also some tchotchkes at the market, such as these 'pen hanging device'... The traditional Chinese calligraphy pens are pointy brushes so after you use them, you need to rinse and hang them to dry. But I think these are going to be cute with some jewelries or keys. For those of you who are planning on visit me in Taiwan, here is a preview of an interesting site!

Square Watermelon

There isn't much else I can say but to show their existence... and they cost almost 30 USD a pop.