Tuscany

After a night's sleep on a hard bed with flat pillows, the owner of the Bed & Breakfast drove us to a local auto dealership to help us rent a car. We would only need a car for 24 hours, and it only cost us £40! When Kristel was looking it up online the lowest price she found was £140 so we got a deal. As we were finishing up the paperwork it started to rain cats and dogs. I wasn't comfortable driving in the rain with the Italian drivers so we decided to go back to our B & B and wait out the storm.

Forty-five minutes later and after a half a game of scrabble we decided to press forth and brave the Italian roadways. First we found a local market where we got some bread and fresh produce that Kristel had beed craving for days. It was "classic" strolling through the outdoor market of white canvas tents among the locals. We passed our waiter from the night before and greeted him by saying "borjono" (if that's how you spell it). I doubt he didn't remember us since we stuke out like a sore thumb the night before.

We then drove to the town of Areezo to see some of the sights. We walked through another Duomo and another castle. I don't think we'll be going in any more churches...they are all starting to look alike now. The castle was much older and most of it was blocked off. Needless to say, we didn't spend much time in Areezo and soon made our way to Cortona!

Cortona is absolutely beautiful! We spent most of the day there. A lot of the time we were in awe of the surrounding landscape. If you know anything about Cortona there are two parts. The old city, which is in the hills and the old city, which is down below. The old city is where everyone goes...we just didn't realize that anywhere you go you have to walk up most of the time! Mom, you'd love it, but you'd never make it. We barely did! Going up to the fortress was the toughest part...up and up and up we kept going until we came to another Duomo. The fortress was yet further up the hill, but we decided that it wasn't worth it and decided to rest in the Duomo.

The walk back down was much easier. As we were doing so, a lot of the locals were out and about walking up the hills. This wouldn't have been so odd, but they were old and had a cigarette in their hands! You'd think they it would more difficult for them, but nope. We shopped at the locals stores and again ate on the streets of Cortona as tourists were walking by. After dinner, a bathroom stop (speaking of bathrooms, you have to pay to use them and you have to pay to drink water at the restaurants), and getting more ice cream, we made out way back to our little car and drove to our bed and breakfast. Even though it had been raining, and the water was cold, I still took a dip in the swimming pool. It was cool and refreshing!