Finally a day without walking a bazillion miles!!
On Sat we went to Siena and San Gimigniano - two medieval towns to the north about an hour or so. Did I mention that they built these towns on the top of very high hills then fortified them with towers, etc. This translates into a LOT of walking constantly uphill. Just when you think you have arrived, ouuffa, more steps!! But the weather was great, the company was great, and lots of little stores to peer into on your way by. Alas no time to go into the museums and churches really, but nice to poke around in our free time of an hour or so at each town. In San Gim we tried the recommended white wine, vernaccia (ver-nah-cha) which was delish, and just before leaving had our first gelato. I think we'll be spoiled as some we had yesterday had some ice crystals in it, not nearly so creamy. Whatever they sell in Supervalu as 'gelato' is a far cry from the real stuff. Tomorrow we actually go visit a gelateria where they make it...we are hoping for lots of sampling!
On Sunday Jill and I slept in til about 10, then started off to explore. We walked by Santa Croce area, through lots of piazzas and tiny streets. It is dangerous walking here as the sidewalks are either 1 or 1.5 persons wide, so you have to step onto the street, and watch for cars, motorcycles or bikes coming. We went to an African market down by the Arno. Then cross the river, down the other side to the Ponte Vecchio (the old bridge). Then up the hill toward the Pitti Palace. There was a big flea market in the Santo Spiritu churchyard (Marshall & Patrick...think a little better than the Mexican market in Yuma, but 4 times as big!). Back over the river via Ponte Trinita. Sat and had lunch in the Duomo piazza across from the bronze Baptistry doors. Jill had gnocchi and I had lasagna. And a bottle of vernaccia. Expensive to eat outdoors, but it was our much deserved treat. We trundled home, then had to study!! Since we were both falling asleep, we called it a relatively early night...as in 11 p.m.
Oh...Caroline..while we were in a t shirt shop across the Arno River we heard mmm-bop playing on the sound system. I thought of you :)
Loving this! But really must get some studying done! Jill is off to see the iris gardens at Piazzale di Michelangelo. I was there with CAroline (remember the overlook of all Firenze??) and I knew the walk was straight up. Thank you, but I've done enough walking in the last couple of days! Thank God for Aleve!!
Ciao tutti!!
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There's one place here in Halifax that has some pretty good gelato. Not as amazing as the 'real' stuff but it's in an Italian restaurant, instead of just sold in a carton, so perhaps it's the surroundings that make it taste just that much more authentic.
ReplyDeleteI'm impressed (and confused) that someone was playing MMMBop there, but it's pretty awesome all the same. :)
Any horses?
ReplyDeleteAmy