Italians are nicer than the French

I know, isn't that a terrible generalization? Shame on me.....But, we really have run into some truly friendly and helpful people in Rome and Florence. They cheerfully put up with our lack of Italian and help us find what we are looking for. Waiters are joky, shopkeepers smile: it's a whole new experience. This, of course, has one very major caveat; they (just those quick pickpockets) also want to steal all your money and documents. Ah well, can't have it all. I, bien sur, have met some friendly French people too.
We are now safely arrived in Florence. Much less painful than the arrival in Rome. Florence seems like a city I could live in. It seems relaxed and fun compared to the very intense Rome. It was tough visiting Rome because it's such a huge city, all the sites are completely "must-see" and they're spread out all over the place. It's hard to avoid walking long hours every day (difficult when one has bad knees like mom) and you feel there's surely something you're missing and you must be a totally ignorant fool to miss it. I feel like I keep saying, "I've never seen anything like this before!" but that said, all these Roman ruins and medivael churches are starting to blend into each other.
This picture is actually from Nice. It was so hot and summery there but the weather in Rome was rainy and overcast although not cold or uncomfortable. Tomorrow is May 1st, labour day so we have no idea what we'll do...depends what will be open. ciao, jessica