planes, trains, automobiles and buses

We are in Voleterra, which is atop some major mountains. I am suddenly just a little worried about the walking ahead. Everything seems so steep, despite the assurance that the walk is easy to moderate.

Lucca was fantastic. We did the audiotour (tourists that we are) and did not regret it. We saw churches, museums, old buildings, older buildings and the oldest buildings. It rained, but we barely noticed. (we have gear) Oh, and we drank some wine, copious amounts.

We left Lucca by bus and arrived in Pisa at the train station, which was just a few steps from our hotel there, very nice, both the distance and the hotel. We did not eat anything special. I am ashamed to say I had pizza again because it was the only thing I could understand on the menu. It had different toppings, though, and was good.

Today, we walked to the Leaning Tower and saw the Field of Miracles. Wow. It was better than the postcards. We also walked through an open market. I have never seen so many artichokes. yum.

Then, back to the train station to ride to Pontederra and then catch a bus to Volterra. It was easier than we expected. Thanks to the kindness of strangers. People are so nice to us here, though I am sure they shake their heads when we walk away. I am not certain we are doing much for the American reputation, but we are smiling a lot and saying grazie, grazie.

Even the bus driver today said bravo to us when we exited at Volterra. He was impressed with our ability to navigate public transportation. So were we (and incredibly surprised).

Volterra, wow.

kim

So… first let me say that the italian keyboards are different from Americano. Scuza the mistakes!

Volterra looks as though Romeo should be standing at the bottom of the balcony, calling to juliette, and he and Mercutio are getting ready to duke it out in the piazza. It is so old and so Italy, exactly what we hoped to find.

The bus rides are, well, exciting. Like Six Flags exciting, but with a life and death scary edge. I have to credit this little observation to Kim, who said that she is surprised there are not dead cyclists littering the roadsides, much like possums in Georgia. It was harrowing. As are these HILLS we are climbing. It is harrowing just hoping your heart holds out to the top. And we are not even started on the real walk yet!!

Never had caffe latte that is any better, any where. Or gnocchi, which was fantastic yesterday in the Roman amphitheatre in Lucca. Kim did have lasagne there, and it was magnifico.

Grazie for all the comments. Oh, by the way, when we arrived to our hotel in Volterra, the proprieter had absolutely no English, except OK, which he did not use when we first tried to check in. After writing a note in Italian translated from the Rick Steves book (thank you Susan Chappel), he smiled and unthawed. Of course, that Southern charm I laid on him did not hurt.

We are winding this up so we can see the incredible beauty of Volterra. And drink more wine. And eat more pasta…

ciao…

betsy