Into the countryside

Last evening we searched out a restaurant recommended by Rick Steves, and old Rick really hit this one out of the park. Il Latini specializes in a prix fixe dinner. The Latin connection seems to be a bit Argentinian, as the dining room featured large hanging hunks of beef, and one of the staff spent the entire time we were there busily slicing prosciutto, salami, and other cured meats. The prix fixe included an enormous amount of food: antipasto, first course, second course, side dish, dessert, water, wine, and after-dinner drink. There is just no way this group of esteemed American senior citizens could possibly eat that much! To the disappointment of the staff, we insisted on seeing a menu. And we totally confounded our waiter by ordering only salad and pasta and drinking only one portion of the wine. (The bottle was HUGE, and there were two for the table.} When he asked if we were ready for a main course, we responded, "We're Americans; that WAS the main course." And we smiled.

The food we did order was absolutely wonderful, though, continuing an unbroken succession of wonderful meals.And as always, the company was exceptional!

Today we boarded a comfortable bus for a trip into the Tuscan countryside to visit Pisa and Lucca. Even though we had trained a bit for a climb of the Leaning Tower, we decided to forego it. Those who made the climb are glad they did, and we are glad we did not. We felt we were able to see more of the magnificent cathedral and its Baptistry than we would have had we climbed. So all was well!

The Tuscan towns that are scattered in the general area of Florence have quite a different feel from the city itself. The pace is much slower, and there are far fewer tourists. In Lucca the shops were actually closed for riposa, something that pretty much doesn't happen in Florence, which is much more attuned to the preferences of tourists. These places are just plain leisurely. However, it's lovely.

Lucca is one of the few towns in the world that has a completely intact city wall, and it dates to Roman times. Wonder of wonders, the city has turned the top of the wall into a beautiful biking/running/walking trail. What a treat! After having a wonderful lunch (yes, eating again), we took a walk through the town and walked the wall.

For the past two days, the weather has been cool, only a few drops of rain. We drove through the foothills of the Apennines, past enormous rock and marble quarries, each mountaintop crowned with a cloud and frequently holding a massive villa or a ruined castle. There were olive trees, grapevines, and even corn, which Italians do not eat but grow for cattle feed. (Again, those crazy Americans, who love their corn on the cob!) Aside from the Italian road signs, everything felt almost familiar. This is a comfortable country.

So, tomorrow, back to the classroom. We'll hear from Bill about painting, then visit more museums, and I will finally break down and do some shopping. I'm just beginning to get the itch . . . .