Our journey to Rome ended with a bang-to our wallet that is. On the bus to the train station we were nailed with a $165 ticket for not getting a bus ticket. We fully intended on paying the 1 euro, but the modern buses do not have slots. Ouch!!!
Things perked up when we were able to buy tickets and get on the right train to Florence. With the rain, Florence has had a romantic feel to it. We walked into a very nice pizza place with a woodburn stove to cook. After a liter of wine we strolled into the street where we came to many shops and vendors. I fully restrained from drunk shopping!
The tour book we purchased has been a treasure! We found lots of great places to eat and our places to stay in it. One night we journey across town-Andy's navigation skills have really impressed me! Ironically, I am the geography teacher. We found this tiny restaurant with authentic cusine-more meats, potatoes, veggies. The place was so small we shared a table, elbow to elbow, with 4 other people. Based on the books recommendation we ordered the bisecca-steak. The waiter used his hands to show us the approximate size. I nodded and smiled because I really had no idea what he was trying to say. All of a sudden we see the cook-about 5 yards from our table- take a butcher knife and wack off a piece of meat from a very large carcass! The waiter then brings the meat to our table to ask if this was large enough for us. It was the BIGGEST piece of meat I had ever seen or eaten! Our table mates from Holland found this whole scene quite comical!
Since we arrived here all Andy could talk about was renting a car. With hesitation I finally caved in to his wish. Have to say that this has been the craziest place I have ever encountered when it comes to poorly labled maps, dinged cars, and crossing the street in fear of your life. Our car was a brand new FIAT Panda. Bright blue and COMPACT! We hit the highway to Siena with ease. Siena is a tiny little town that at one time was more powerful than Florennce, until the black plauge devistated the town. They started to build a bascialla that would dwarf St. Peter's at the Vatican, but it remains unfinished. We spent the morning wandering around and looking at another gigantic church. On the way home we took the scenic route through Tuscan Wine Country. What beautiful rolling hills! We bought some wine, cheese, salamoni, and bread for a picnic along the road. When we came back into Florence, our marriage was tested when trying to find the car rental place! After stopping for directions three times, we made it back safely. Andy stated that he thinks our marriage is secure for at least 5 more years!
Leaving for Venice in the morning. Time is going by too fast! To my friends in Michigan, I will be there June 4!
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