More Random Things...

Amy and I packed for this 16 night trip using only our backpacks (no luggage). It meant packing light and making sacrifices. The primary thing I've learned on the way is: 1) don't go easy on the number of socks (I only brought 6 pairs), because you have to double-up each day based on the amount of walking. Opportunities to wash clothes have been limited, and we are both struggling with sock recycle and stinky feet. Makes giving Amy those late night foot rubs difficult. Eww! Here's a shot of Amy and I all packed up waiting for a train. Not too shabby for a couple of American Tourists.


Speaking of light packing, let's talk about shopping. When we were originally estimating the cost of this trip, Amy said I'd spend a lot more than her because I'd be doing more shopping for souveneirs. Yeah...so that's not happening. As soon as we left Rome, Amy turned into a shopping fiend! Help! I've filled up about a shoebox worth of stuff so far, while Amy's filled up an entire dufflebag. I'm scared of what more she may accumulate over the next 3 days in Venice. Here she is in front of the numerous wine shops in Montalcino and at the famous Florence perfume store, doing her thing. I will say that she has bought hardly anything for herself, mostly things for other people. She's definitely thoughtful of those that can't be here with us.


Once we got to the hilltowns of Tuscany, the wine began to flow. Each town seems to have its own specialties. Montepulciano and Montalcino (don't check my spelling) definitely had some amazing red wines. We got to tour the wine-making cellars of a master wine maker in Montepulciano. A shot of me inside with some of the barrels and Amy with the master, Adamo (who didn't speak a word of English, but I got the feeling that he was hitting on Amy).


Unfortunately, all the wine also meant I struggled on the final walk home most nights. My dancing in the streets wasn't due to that wine buzz, it's because I had to go! To get to our B&B in Orvieto (pic below), we had to walk through an olive orchard in the dark with a flash light. Unfortunately, I had to personally baptise that orchard a couple of times. Luckily for you guys, Amy was laughing too hard and it was too dark for her to get a good pic, but she still tried. Guess I need to learn to hold my wine.


We're both very self aware that we've been pigging out on this trip with all the great food everywhere. You guys know that I can put the food away, but Amy's keeping up with me. Some nights, I've had to ask her if she wants to finish my plate for me. Here's a pic of her loading up the table and the two of us out to dinner in Florence (well, not exactly, but close enough).


While we were in Montepulciano, we went to see the local church. I can't recall the historic significance, but it was pretty amazing little place. One of the locals told us that if you stand directly under the center of the dome and clap, that you'll hear the echo of your clap as much as 18 times. We waited inside until the church was empty and then gave it a try, and the result was pretty cool, just as he had told us. Making noise in a church isn't normally appreciated, so I kept expecting a nun to run out from behind the altar and yell at us. There was also some amazing scenery around the church (representative of the views all around Tuscany on our drive).


Alright, that's all for now. We'll post some more on Venice when we have a chance. Hope all is well for everyone back in the states!