Under the Tuscan sun

This is going to be a quick update, without a lot of the usual fandfare as we did quite a bit of travleing today, and we are all pretty tired. Add inthe fact that it is 10:00 at night and we have yet to eat dinner, and you can understand our urgency.

Today we hopped on a train to Pisa to see the leaning tower. Upon arrival we headed over to the tower, which was an impressive sight. Much larger with a huge Duomo and other buildings. Not just the tower in the middle of nowhere that one usually thinks. Duane and Brandon secured their tickets for later in the afternoon, while Tim had his heart set on swimming in the Mediterranian sea. Tim and Michelle headed by bus to the sea while Duane and Brandon waiting for their reservation to climb the leaning tower. Duane and Brandond spent their free time until their appointment window shopping, eating a simple meal with an incredible view of the tower.

After Tim's sea dip, the tentitive plan was to meat up in Siena with Brandon and Duane. There were no set plans to meet at any location or time, as both groups were unsure where and when they would be finished with their separate trips. But again God,s hand was in the planning, and they happened to jump on the same train from Pisa to a small town called Empoli. Neither group knew the other was on the train, however. It was not until we boarded our second train which was to take us to Siena that the two groups met. It was another train station miricle, and was enjoyed by all. God is so good.

Reconnected the group enjoyed their time in Siena, walking around all of the streets and getting "lost" and "found" yet again. Tim and Duane enjoed smaples of all of the basalmic vinigar and olive oil that the shops had to offer. We made a few purchases and then stepped into the last store before heading home. It was operated by the owner, Antonio, and was a shop called Antica Pizzicheria - al Palazzo della Chigiana. He was an extrordinary character who reminded us a bit of Mario in the Super Mario Brothers game. He sold meats, salame, cheeses and wine and had a good sense of humor. However, don't take any pictures of him, as it is forbidden and his wife will chew you out. We learned the finer points of his craft among the hanging ham legs curing.

A quick bus ride back to the train station and we hopped onto a train bound for home (Florence). Another busy day seeing the coast and a bit of the Tuscany countryside.

Well, we are off to eat, shower and sleep. Tomorrow we go see two fot he finest art galeries in Europe. Ciao!