The Heart of Italy

There is a certain schema people have of Italy. I believe it consists of vineyards in the countryside, tight 's' turns clinging to the fields, small manual cars speeding through areas you really should slow down at, gelato in city streets, flowers hanging from window sills.  Well, guess what you stereotyping persons...it exists.  It is true.

We decided to take a trip.  A 6'4" man in a small apartment makes it smaller, so we must get out of the house.  And where to go? San Gimignano.  A hill town in the heart of Tuscany.

We got a rent-a-car that Adam can barely fit in. But it will get us from point A to point B.  It feels nice to drive again, and be able to go when and where I want to go.  We leave Pisa and discover just how beautiful the Tuscan countryside is.

Beautiful Toscana

Small Fiat Panda

Yes, peeing behind hay sounds like a good idea.

 

I must drive because the cars are more often than not stick shifts. Bravo to me.  This means, Adam is the navigator. Navigating, of course, with a tiny map of Tuscany, and a dying phone with GPS. Hmmm. Adventure.

 

 

After a quick picnic on someone's farm??? we make it to town.  This town is Toscana.  It has buildings of the same color, given personality by the well taken care of flowers on every balcony and windowsill.  The narrow streets are steep leading up to the tallest of the torri, (San Gimignano is known for many towers,) and the duomo.

 

 

In the city center we find a wedding happening. This wedding invited tourists to be part of the celebration.  As the beautiful bride, that, yes, was blushing, stepped out of the limo, the crowd cheered.  Tourist gawk over a Ferrari, and classic Vespa, there for the wedding party.

 

 

We discover we have come on the right weekend, and are able to climb to the tallest tower for free, as well as explore art galleries at no cost.

 

We settle into the town that helps you feel the culture of classic Italy. We eat at a restaurant with a great view of a local lady in her window, liking or disliking the tourist that has taken her town.  The bar is filled with locals as well. The kind that go to the same bar daily, and cheer when friends arrive.  The local air helps me discover how 'OK' I would be to live here permanently.  I observe people that are completely satisfied with where they live.  This is a feeling I admire, because, I have never experienced it.  Contentment. In Morgantown, well, it's on the list, but has not happened yet.

 

We wonder through town, relishing the small cars, the great views, the gelato.

My personal superhero

 

If it was not for the ice cold wind high on this hill, mixed with wearing something appropriate for the beach, I would feel the contentment here as well.  I at least like to think so.