by Carol
Having completed teaching the first week of class (with three weeks left to go), I agreed to embark upon an all day bus tour of Tuscany with Pam. It was a sunny Saturday. We hiked the short way down to Piazza San Marco, which hosted the nearest taxi stand, hopped a taxi to the bus station (located next to the train station, near Piazza Santa Maria Novella), and boarded the bus.
The day before, we had gone back to the booking agent, to make sure that they could accommodate my walker, and after a long conversation on the phone, during which (I gathered) he explained that my walker folds up and is easily stored (like a stroller for children), he confirmed that it would not be a problem. However, the tour guides were concerned that it would be a problem and repeatedly warned me that there would be places that I simply could not go (too many stairs, no elevator). I assured them that I wasn’t worried, that I didn’t care that I couldn’t access everything (that something is better than nothing). And so then, soon after that debate, we were off, on foot, rapidly walking to keep up, down and around to where our particular bus was parked. Upon arrival (and yes, I was the last to arrive), I overheard Pam inquiring if the pace was going to be thus for the entire day “because that was practically a run!” They assured her it wouldn’t be. I kinda’ suspect that the tour guides were testing us, seeing if we wouldn’t back down and out of the tour. We did not, and upon accepting their fate that they would have to deal with us, they made us sit on the lower level of the bus, at a table behind the driver; across the table was a sleepy young couple (man and woman). We traveled out of Florence at a clip (on the bus, not walking this time).
Panoramic Shot of Monteriggioni (Wikipedia)
The long steps to the medieval fort, Monteriggioni.
The first stop was at the medieval fort, Monteriggioni. At this point, although it looked possible to walk up a long, winding hill (rather than the steps), because I was still hurting (all my joints always hurt in the morning), I chose to wait this one out, at a picnic table in the parking lot. It was a pleasant wait: the sun was warming my bones, and I found small things to appreciate, including a lizard carrying another lizard in its mouth.
A drinking/washing fountain, to the right of the steps.
LOOK! Italian Lizards!
After awhile, one of the tour guides found me and sat at the picnic table to chat. Apparently, Pam had told her about the class that I’m teaching, and she wanted to know more. It was a pleasant chat, and I wrote down the names of a couple of books for her, but we lost track of time and had to rush to a different parking lot (where the bus had gone to wait for everyone).
Back on the bus, we drove for awhile longer, until we reached Siena. Siena is very, very hilly! The bus parked at one spot and everyone got off and prepared to walk up a series of hills to get to the Siena Cathedral. The tour guide instructed Pam and me that it was pointless for us to attempt to visit the Cathedral, that we should take a taxi to Piazza del Campo, and then take another taxi to meet everyone for lunch. Piazza del Campo is, apparently, used for races, but on this day it was used for tourists.
Piazza del Campo: there were numerous souvenir stands, cafes, restaurants, and shops all around the square.
Pam greeting one of the locals.
During lunch Pam and I had some success in holding conversation with a couple from Australia, but otherwise everyone on the tour seemed to mostly keep to themselves. That was okay. Filled with good food and wine, we all boarded the bus again to head for San Gimignano, the City of Fine Towers.
I was looking forward to visiting San Gimignano, in part because I plan to teach Franco Zeffirelli’s Tea with Mussolini (1999), which has some wonderful scenes set in San Gimignano, including this climatic scene of old British ladies protecting the towers from the evil NAZI soldiers’ attempts to blow them up.
The place, however, has become another tourist trap: filled with lots and lots of interesting shops, about which I shall write in another post. The point I want to make here is that I succeeded in walking up the long, steep hill to get to the center of the towers.
Success! Me among the Fine Towers.
The day ended with a visit to one of the local wineries, where everyone tasted several wines, as well as olive oils and vinegars. After that final part of the journey, everyone was ready to go home, and everyone was happy. Indeed, the young (shy?) couple sitting across the table from us on the bus were smiling and talkative. It turns out that they were newlyweds from Turkey.
All-in-all, it was a good day.
Pam and Carol at the end of a good day touring Tuscany.
Wonderful entry and pictures.