Free At Last, Free At Last, Thank God Almighty We're Free At Last!

 We did it!  They tested us just after 6 this morning and by 6:45 we had our negative results and the clearance to leave quarantine!  Bye, bye Covid, hello Livorno.

First thing we did when we left our suite was to go up to the fitness center to weigh ourselves and assess the damage that we'd done.  There we ran into GM Thierry who literally welcomed us with open arms.  Lubo was there as well.  As to the weight, Linda's was about the same, mine perhaps a bit lower.  All that pacing around the suite must have paid off.

After breakfast and reconnecting with some of the other crew, we hit the streets of Livorno.  We've been here before but always went to some of the touristy spots around.  This time we opted to explore Livorno because all we really wanted to do was walk.  And walk we did - probably about 7 or 8 miles.  We walked the main street, visited the market, stopped for coffee, visited the old fort, visited the area of the city they call Venizia Nuovo, had pizza and wine for lunch, gelato for desert and walked some more.  It was a great 6 hour outing.  You may be able to see how happy we were to be out.

Another positive thing today, I mentioned in a previous post the ceviche connection to an old friend, Jimmy Bernstein.  Well, we have reconnected, at least via email.  I am anxious to connect further with him when we return home.

Now it's time for reflection about this whole experience we've had.  First, as I have said before, compared to what others are experiencing all around the wall this Covid quarantine has been nothing.  We are truly blessed.  Next, it is amazing the lengths that Thierry and his crew have gone through to make this as good as it could be.  A big thanks to everyone!  And, last but not least, after being locked up together for 7 days it reinforced something I've said before - after almost 53 years of marriage, somehow, through the good and the bad, our relationship only gets stronger!  Thanks to Linda!

It's hard to contain our joy at being released from quarantine, but perhaps we need to heed the Rule of Civility #24. Do not laugh too loud or too much at any public spectacle.

Soon, we'll be enjoying sitting and eating dinner in a restaurant on board Riviera.  In the meantime, peace and blessings,

Linda and Larry