30 Days of Memories: Day 22

Back row: Shannon, Kev, Justin. Front row: Robs, me, Brandy, Mrs. Squid, Squid

It was hard to leave Sovigliano, but we were ready to continue our adventure in Italy. This is one of the few pictures we have of the entire group together, and our hosts were kind enough to take it.

Traveling with a group this large can be difficult, but we'd been friends long enough and traveled enough together that we could just set times to meet back up and go our own ways without anyone's feelings getting butt-hurt. There was never any pressure to stay together as a large group. We had plans at least once a day to do something as a group, usually food-based, but the rest of the day we split up and explored where we wanted to.

I'm so thankful that Squid is a planner extraordinaire and that this group was so easy to travel with. Too bad everyone grew up, got married, and started having families of their own. :)

Italy, Day 7

05 Apr 06

Got up early to go to the market in Siena and walk around.  

Our kitchen in the apartment.

Look!  Luggage!  Robs' bags.

Mine.  So happy to have it.

We saw a cured boar's head and salted eels in the deli section and a ton of cute clothes.  After wandering the market, we drove to Montalcino to find a winery tour.  We poked around Montalcino, and found a cool piece of art, before we settled on a winery .

The explanation.

The well

Looking into the well, it's full of eye glasses.

We ended up choosing a winery called Tenuta Caparzo and learning about the wine and wine making process.  It's all very cool. Our tour guide was so passionate about everything from the grapes to the finished product.
 

I love this picture!  I tore apart the apartment looking for it.

The cask rooms were awesome.

The best part of the tour came at the end when we got to do the tasting.  Holy cow, there were a lot to taste and they were all amazing!

Robs bought a bottle of Brunello that we'll open in four years for her 36th birthday, it should be at its peak then.  (However, here it is almost seven years after we went and we still haven't broken into that bottle.)

This time, everyone was together for a final, fun dinner at Sovigliano.

Tomorrow, we're off to Pisa then Cinque Terre.

Italy, Day 6

Before we get into the Italy trip again, I want to wish Jay Happy FIFTH meetiversary.  Five years ago today, we met face-to-face for the first time. Love you, Babe.

04 Apr 06

Today (after making a tough decision regarding what to wear - so many choices!) Robs and I went along with another couple to Florence to look around.  I did not like Florence ~ for the fist time since we've been in Italy, I didn't feel safe.  I can't pinpoint why, but it wasn't a good place for me.  We saw some cool things, but other than the statue of David (a replica), there wasn't a whole lot to excite me.

Ok, don't know what Robs was doing, but it's the only one I have of us there.

Robs and I met Squid and Mrs Squid at 1:30 and headed to Siena.  The difference between Florence and Siena is like night and day!  Siena has a laid-back, safer feel and I enjoyed it tons more.  The only place I've felt more comfortable was in Pienza on our was to Sovigliano yesterday.

Il Centro in Siena reminds me of a college plaza.  There were people laying around sunning themselves, kids chasing pigeons and teenagers flirting.  Mrs Squid and I sat and people-watched while Robs and Squid climbed to the top of a church tower.

Squid and Robs thought it would be fun to climb that tower.

NEVER pass up an opportunity for gelato.  Never.  Ever.  Never.

Then we went to see another church.  At this point, they're all running together, like they did on our first trip to Europe.  What?  Another church?  Hell, why not?

And what else would we do after visiting a church?  The torture museum, of course!  The torture museum was thought-provoking and scary.

This is actually brilliant - it helped protect the jailers from rioting criminals.

I almost can't believe that humans used to do this stuff to each other.  Criminals have it easy compared to way back ~ though torture ran through the late 1800's.  They say that some of the techniques have been refined are are still in use today as interrogation tools.

What a wonderful thought that is.