Tocca Ferro

Whoever said that Italy was unbearably hot during July and August was seriously disturbed, (knock on wood, or as the Italians say, “tocca ferro,” touch iron).

But seriously, the past two weeks I have had to run to shelter from the rain probably more than I ever had to in my life.

However, this surprising change in weather has been wonderful for sleeping (I cannot sleep when I’m hot. And as they don’t believe in air conditioning and we don’t have fans, it is an often enough occurrence). The cooler weather has also made exploring Siena and other day trips more enjoyable.

On one such day, we had been stranded at home from a planned bus strike. I kid you not. All week on the bus schedules there was an extra announcement saying “21 luglio 2011 sciopero nazionale di 24 ore.” Yes, they have planned national bus strikes. And apparently they are quite often because when we told our boss, she was not in the least bit surprised and instead responded, “Yeah! Festa!” So although no buses meant we couldn’t go anywhere exciting, we were able to explore more of the beautiful Tuscan area surrounding our house.

(path during our little passeggiata)

(i want that)

(FYI) Everyday I am in Italy everyone else is less and less likely to receive any goodies (including postcards. The postcard is cheap. The postage...not so much). I am a very bad shopper (or is it good?) and am really good at finding really wonderful things (why yes, I did need that bag and those shoes, and that dress too, thank you very much).

Money has also been spent on little day trips to Firenze (Florence) and another medieval town named San Gimignano.

Besides providing the two best panino’s I have every had (1: salami, pecorino, artichokes. 2: pot roast ham, pecorino, salsa verde (this sauce made from parsley. All I know is that it was freaking fantastic), it was also absolutely beautiful. As I will be there for two days before leaving, I didn’t do everything yet, but I did get a taste of the Duomo and Baptistry, the Accademia, the Leather Market (well my wallet did anyways, and Ponte Vecchio (I wish I could afford for my wallet to have a taste).

The Accademia is host to a lot of different pieces, but really the only important one is the beautiful David by Michelangelo. And he is definitely beautiful. And a lot bigger than I was imagining (luckily I knew that big was 17ft, and I was able to help three older American women who were sounding very ridiculous trying to convert cm/m into feet). Michelangelo truly was a master. There was a block of marble chilling in some church courtyard, he asked to have it, and “voila!”- The David. As I said before, I am a hand person. No matter what innocence or purity the position of his stance or the youth in his face might provoke, those huge, glorious, beautiful, perfect hands had all the basis of power and capability to slay Goliath.

Ponte Vecchio is the most unique bridge I’ve ever seen (it is said that it only survived World War II under Hitler’s direct orders); piles of shops hang from the edges and every shop has pretty, sparkly things in them that I cannot afford.

Along the bridge, you will see railing after railing filled with locks. My roommate overheard a tour guide relating their purpose and I thought this was pretty cool. Basically, when you’re in love, you right your own name and your significant other’s name on the lock (i.e. Ariel + Eric = True Love), lock the padlock along the bridge, and throw the key in the river. That way your love can never be broken. I know, so precious.

San Gimignano is the town in between Siena and Monteriggioni, but very very touristy. Besides the tourists, I loved it. Quaint, beautiful, few cars, and the “best gelato in the world.” Now I haven’t tried every gelato place, but mine was seriously freaking good [tiramisu, praline, and meringhe (which was chocolate, cherries, and meringue)]. So good. Definitely worth a trip back, if only to try some different flavors.

(yes, a gelato world championship does exist)

(on the road to San Gimignano)