Italy, part two

We're a bit over half-way through our Tuscan adventure. I'm processing all of these experiences and will have more to say when I'm home and have wrapped words around the experiences, but suffice it to say, this is lovely. We're eating all kinds of wonderful things that I will write about on my food blog when I get home - Mom and Dad, I mention that for you!

Sunday we went to Montepulciano, a lovely and typical hill town. Considerably larger than Sarteano, shops were open, people were bustling everywhere. We wandered in and out of shops, watched people and marveled at the enduring nature of stone. The medieval structures and roads were still intact as they are in Sarteano and the place has a sense of timelessness. I was especially struck by all of the walking paths, clearly a city built for horses and pedestrians.

Monday we spent in our homebase, Sarteano. It was a cold, rainy day. I, of course, went walking anyway. Within a few minutes I was completely soaked through. I wandered uphill, along streets I'd not previously explored and found myself outside of the 13th century church. Inside it was dim, cold and thankfully dry.

Sarteano Cathedral

Tuesday, yesterday, we went to Florence (Firenze), the birthplace of the Renaissance. Florence is overwhleming, especially after the quiet and still in Sarteano. The city is full of tourists, so we suddenly found ourselves surrounded by many languages, faces, bodies and rapid movement. That being said, it is a beautiful city built in 14th century and largely unchanged in its architecture in the tourist zones. We took a walking tour with a highly educated guide (though to believe him you'd think everything started in Florence. Everything.) and wandered through the Uffizi gallery, one of the best collections of Medieval and Renaissance art in the world.

Kevin and I returned home while the rest of the party stayed in Florence for the night. Today we drove around the Tuscan countryside, wandered in olive groves and explored Etruscan tombs. I love the depth of time I can find so easily in this country, the sense of stories buried under stories.

It's a glorious, warm, clear day, too lovely to spend inside. I'll post more pictures next time I'm online, we need to head away from wifi to meet our friends at the train station.

I'll write more soon.

(c)2011 Laura S. Packer