May 11 -Pisa, San Gimignano and Siena

What an 18k step day! We got up early, summoned a taxi that arrived almost immediately, (go appTaxi!) and got to the meeting point with lots of time to spare. An enterprising food truck has a lucrative business selling coffees, pastries, and sandwiches at the site across from the bus station.

We had a huge group -80 people, but the tour guide, Aaron, his assistant Renate and driver Riccardo were very organized and checked, checked, and double-checked at every opportunity. (Definitely no shades of Petra for this crew.) We got seats on the upper level which provided a day full of beautiful Tuscan views.

First stop was Pisa- the tower is still leaning as it was 40 years ago. We looked at the sites- the Tower, the Cathedral, and the Baptistry, all from the outside, and got a bev at a cafe.

Next stop was San Gimigniano where we had a delicious lunch at Fuori Porta with Renate. Antipasto - Wayne and I laughed beca use we each had our own plate- we're always sharing one. This was served with a nice Chianti - but no fava beans. Salad was offered, and on to the pasta- penne with meat sauce. We could only finish half- but it was SO good- served with another red Tuscan wine. Dessert was a very rich "crema" -(flan) served with a local white. And I didn't take any pictures!

We walked around the city, beautiful as we remembered it. Then back to the bus

Last stop, Siena. I opted to go to the Cathedral, where I lit candles, and joined Mark Wahlberg for a rosary for important intentions for important loved ones. The Cathedral is quite beautiful - aren't they all- and each has its own special spiritual feel.

When I left the Cathedral it was pouring, and as I headed down the street I saw the most vibrant rainbow. Wayne and I planned to meet at the central square, but kept missing each other. I got a bit worried, but we both made it to the tour's meeting place on time. I had a nice talk with Renate on the walk to the bus, and when I told her about the special intentions, she suggested I go to Santissima Annunciata which has a chapel devoted to San Pellegrino (the saint- not the water), and the nuns will add my people to their list. I'll aim to get there later this week.

We returned to the starting point which we'd left almost 12 hours before, and walked up the Santa Maria Novella station to catch a taxi. We found the good (and more expensive) bathrooms, and saw the local Five Guys. Then a taxi back homeRead more