Pop Quiz Answer...get your red pencils out

After a little research, we found out that perhaps the pots are just an expression of modern art outside a local gallery. We asked a cute girl that mans the desk at our castle. She might have laughed WITH us a little.





However, we do believe that these were once utilized as storage containers for olive oil...at least that's what we think.





So, thanks for playing...the gelato was DELICIOUS! Good job, Rita. You enjoyed a scrumptious nutella/banana gelato today.





On to other news...





Today, we decided to venture into the 2nd largest city in Tuscany (the largest will be Florence on Friday - God help us)...Siena.





Two words Rick Steves...Siena sucks.





We spent the first hour looping the Futbol Stadio to find parking. They generously allowed a three foot path to travel through in finding a spot. We truly thought we were about to drive right onto the field with crowds cheering, etc., when we were rudely snapped back into realty as the passenger mirror dragged along the brick wall to our right. Just for the record, the navigator didn't even flinch...full coverage is awesome and definitely worth the 21 euros. Shoot, we wanted to get our money's worth.





We then attended the market (aka crappy ass flea market) where we unsuccesfully tried to find attire for international children's day. We are still working on something fabulous (other than our Italian purses - see previous blog). After hours of perusing the aisles and a mom haggling the man down a whole euro, we tried to see the downtown sights, but we couldn't figure out the shotty transportation system. We left.





Well, not so fast. In Italy, apparently you must find a mysterious cashier before taking your car. The navigator walked down a steep hill, then climbed 96 stairs in high altitude to no avail to find this "cashier". We asked for help from two lovely locals who gave us directions, albeit in Italian and gestures and broken English. So we began to drive. After taking two more loops around the Stadio, we found the exit with the ticket machine, and the railroad arm. Worth mentioning...we're stopped on a 45 degree hill in a standard vehicle that we have so carefully manuevered into position. What, no money taker? What to do?





We put the ticket in the machine and the arm remained still. Hmmm. We pressed the attendant button where a gentleman's voice said "you have to pay." "Where do we pay?" said the driver. "GO BACK," said the attendant. We all sat in silence wondering how in the world we would GO BACK though that 3 foot wide maze that we had not so successfully done forwards. The ticket was gone, the crew was in dismay. The driver asked again, "Where do you pay?", neatly folding her bill and cramming it into a slot on the machine didn't exist in reality. "Do I put it in the machine?" she asked. "GO BACK!" "I NEED MY TICKET - YOU TOOK IT!" The ticket made a brief appearance, but the reflexes of the driver were too slow as the ticket disappeared. "Una mas," said the driver in her best Spanish, which she only pulls out in emergency situations. We finally got the ticket and the navigator bailed to find a policeman that we had seen on the other side of the railroad arm for help.





Please note visually, flashers are on, some man in a small building about 20 yards behind us was waving people around us. We were attracting a crowd. Suddenly, it dawns on the driver that HE is the cashier. That's what GO BACK means...roll back a few @#!$ feet you ___ Americans. A mom ran back to pay, told him "here's the money!" He said, "you need a ticket" (smiling) and the navigator ran to the rescue with the ticket. Guess what, it's all on film...he had a closed circuit tv in there watching the whole thing. We think we might get a kickback from the Italian candid camera.





So after a 10 minute ordeal that simply rolling backwards would have solved, we decided to go home with the good feeling that we had given one man quite a story to tell at his table tonight.

Pop Quiz

The first person to correctly identify these structures will win a delicious gelato at the market in Siena tomorrow. If probably won't travel well so we will eat it but tell you how delicious it was. Good luck!

CAN YOU BELIEVE IT....

Greetings from the land of cheese, wine and macaroni, not to be confused with Marconi, who invented something. To say I am at a lost for words and meaning in Italian is an understatement. Our first night dining out was almost a disaster and it all started with an innocent(I know that now) question from the waiter,"Do you want water or Gas"? I thought he was saying I had Gas, which wasn't far from true, but I didn't feel compelled to have it announced to all at hand!!! After the second inquiry Jennifer came to the rescue and said he was asking if I wanted fizzy water!
'mFrom then on I just drank wine, it was a lot more simple.

Everyone in our group holds their breath when it comes to my time to order. I have taken to just pointing to the menu after a bout of trying to say "Pecoroni", they really shouldn't offer that on a menu.

The sights are incredible and everything looks like a postcard. The altitude is somewhat challenging and added to that are all the hills you walk up that have cobblestone everywhere. You would think they would have all these streets paved by now, it's been long enough. What they need is TXDOT to come over and show them how to lay asphalt,and toll roads!!! I'm sure CTRMA could tell them how to operate them.

Well I have to go now. The group is ready to go on our next sojourn. Talk to you later.
POSTED BY ANN

First attempt at a video...

We had some technical difficulties, but here is what we have so far...

Things we have learned so far...

• it is not always reason to panic when your car stalls in oncoming traffic on an Italian highway when you are driving a standard for the first time in 12 years, but it might have been advisable to take a warmup spin around Austin first...not as fun, but advisable


• there is a 1.50 euro cover charge per person for sitting at the table, enjoying each other's company, and perhaps dining on bread


• when your Italian is developing, it might be advisable to just try the English before butchering their language...for example, "how do you say baingo" and your waiter interrupts "restroom, down the hall, last door on the right" in perfect English


• to avoid condemning stares, you should probably use the provided plastic gloves before manhandling produce in the market


• contrary to what someone may believe, pecorino cheese is NOT pronounced "peckeroni" and belissimo is NOT pronounced "belly-somo", but we love her confidence with the language and her willingness to give it a try - Mom


• you can feel more confident about your ability with the Italian language when you hear Dora - the GPS voice...for example, she pronounces "Firenza-Siena" like "Fire-n-seena" and the road back to San Casciano as CassiaRomanoBananoTomato...or something like that.


• sometimes when your Italian is not so good and you ask for a sweet white wine, your waitress comes back with jet fuel which burns your entire digestive tract as it goes down - and it will cost you 5 euros


• Italian purses are best made and found in Italy - and they must have a "Made in Italy" embossing to qualify as better than anything you own


• figs are delicious, and olives are not edible off the tree


• you have to earn your gelatos - some are doing better than others, but so far all have received the goodies...this might be a long week


• how come I am the only one who ever has coins to feed the parking meter, and how come the police never seem to check the meters?

Italy - love it!

After 3 flights and a beautiful 30 minute drive, we are in a gorgeous villa on a hill overlooking italian countryside.

First, a quick note about the plane ride. Now, you know we were not in first class - which was fine by us. But what was not so fine was how we were repeatedly reminded that we were NOT in first class. Wendy was scolded by a flight attendant - we choose now to call him a male stewardess due to his rudeness - for going beyond "the curtain" to use the restroom. Rest assured that we had witnessed approximately 94 people from our side of the tracks do the same thing.

We should have learned our lesson from that one but on the last leg of the trip we were on a small plane from Paris to Florence. You now the kind - 2 seats on each side. Tiny right? We were seated in the 3rd row , again behind 1st class. Seriously 1st class on this little thing. Well, after take off, the stewardess came and closed the curtain so we didn't disturb them. Did I leave out the part that there was NO ONE seated in front of us! The curtain was closed none the less to protect anyone who might come along midflight. To fully appreciate this see the posted photo.

Clearly worth the extra money - no?

HERE WE GO AGAIN...

Can you believe 3 unsuspecting people asked Jennifer and I to accompany them on a sojourn to Italy!! Jennifer didn't tell me about the invitation for a looooong time, I think she was hoping I had other plans!!
But here I am trying to do my part. The "lessons in italian" on c d's are proving to be a hardship. I do not have a c d player in my home, so my only recourse is to get in my car and drive around town listening to them. So far I am still on #1, I've used a half tank of gas and all I know how to say is (phonetically speaking) "Scoozi, Laycapichay lenglasze?" Do you know how to speak english? I read somewhere if you want to learn a language you should have a couple of "drinks" and it lets you relax your mind and you can learn a foreign language easier! I can't afford a DWI, so once more I will leave the language up to Jennifer. I can still remember in France I never really got to use that language, everytime I got ready to say something she would give me that "school teacher look".

Can hardly wait to find the first Italian Gelato shop, I hope it's as good as our Dairy Queen. Guess I better hurry and finish packing.

Posted by Ann

Packing again...

Well it seems I lead a pretty charmed life. A fantastic opportunity has presented itself and my mom and I (along with a girlfriend and her mom and sister) are headed to Europe once again. This time - Italy! My most understanding husband and daughter (her, not so much) are wishing me a bon voyage as I go off to create memories with my mom.

We are going to Florence and yes, you guessed it - we are driving again. Seriously, if we survived the roads in France, how hard can Italy be? Never mind I am a little behind on my "conversational Italain" lessons on cd. My short 8 minute drive to school has taught me how to say - Io non capisco italino (I don't understand Italian) and dove è il vino (where is the wine). Just a few more phrases like - May I call my lawyer and No, she is NOT with me (love you mom) and I should be in business.

A week in a villa, friends, mom, and a sense of adventure are a recipe for success. Not to mention the cast at home making sure Bailey gets to school fed, clothed, and my fabulous teamies at school taking care of me will make this go more smoothly. Did I mention it's school pictures while I'm gone??

Yes, I lead a pretty charmed life and I am grateful for every minute of it. Stay tuned...