Welcome to Our World

The star ship “Enterprise” was up and off for another day in Tuscany. The navigator assumed her seat on the bridge. The specialists took their positions. Let the roundabouting begin.

They spent most of the day driving from tree to tree with some midlevel towns thrown in.

History Moment: In the Middle Ages, cypress trees were planted as part of a new community, with a large cypress tree to be the central point of every convent or monastery.

Tuscany did not look like any of the group expected. Maybe they arrived at the wrong season. If you want a nice secluded place in the middle of a recently mowed hay field with a few cypress trees stuck in, this is the place for you. Debbie thinks that she could do it since she grew up in a small town but the others not so much. Maybe that is why Tuscany is known for it’s wine.

An exclusive from the Hard Hitting Report (HHR). Joyce announced that the group would have a car for the next two days.

HHR: Joyce, tell us about the rental.

Joyce: Well, they kept recommending a larger car but we knew there was a parking issue in the city. I had my team researching the parking symbols and looking for spaces. Blue for paid, yellow for assigned and white (hahahaha) for free.

HHR: Did you assign jobs? I’m sure Debbie was assigned something simple.

Jerry: Yes, Joyce said “we are renting a car and Debbie is going to navigate. I did hear Debbie gasp at the navigator announcement or maybe it was sighs of relief from Larry and I.

Larry: I could have done the navigator stuff.

HHR: I’m sure that you would have been a suburb navigator, Larry. Debbie how did you feel being so underqualified?

Debbie: Well, you would know about being underqualified. Anyway, the car became command central similar to the Star Ship Enterprise and I was Ms Chekov. I did have some issues with Captain Kirk. She sometimes ignored my advice. Sometimes, she shouted out “Right or Left? Now, Now!!”. I felt like the starship was under attack. Jerry would chime in occasionally.

HHR: Did you find any special issues?

Larry: Yes, Italy has more roundabouts than anywhere I have ever seen. Debbie kept shouting out what exit we were out. It was very difficult to sleep through all the shouting.

HHR: Larry, did you and Jerry have any tasks?

Larry: Yes, we were back up specialists. We stood at the front and back yelling at the captain and navigator.

HHR: Where did you go?

Joyce: We went to Tuscany, mediaeval towns, and a monastery.

Debbie: Sometimes, we just went where the Captain wanted – not my recommendation.

HHR: What was the most difficult?

Joyce: Finding parking for the end of the day. It was just Debbie and I. I think that she was in the bottom of the car crying. It was not a pretty sight. We just decided to walk home.

The group decided to take it easy today or at least that is what Debbie thought. Larry stayed at the flat while the other three headed to the wall of the old city. They ran into an outdoor market which was very hard for Joyce to walk through. Joyce and Jerry deposited Debbie on the wall and went back for sandwiches for a picnic.

Debbie thought they would be going back early after they ate. Debbie even texted Larry that they would be back soon. But once they finished, they went down to the market and it swept them away….curtains, bedspreads, food, clothes ….they walked and walked until they came to the townhall square which has an interesting story.

The Palio di Siena  is a horse race held twice each year, in July and August in the town square. Ten horses and riders, bareback and dressed in the correct colors represent ten of the seventeen city wards.  City wards have rivalries similar to team rivalries.

The race consists of ten horses. Not all seventeen city wards can take part in the Palio. There is a complicated process of how and who decides which wards participate. Corruption and bribery are not unheard of.

On the day of the race, an explosive charge sounds across the piazza, signaling to thousands that the race is about to begin. The race is three laps of the Piazza del Campo, the track is covered with several inches of dirt and the corners protected with padded crash barriers for the occasion.

The winner is the first horse to cross the finish line—a horse can win without its rider. The spectators are in the middle of the square and the outside. Thousands of people view the race. The Palio differs from “normal” horse races as part of the game is for city wards to prevent rivals from winning. Jockeys are allowed to pull or shove their fellow jockeys, hit the horses and each other, or try to hamper other horses at the start.

Don’t think a horse track, think a track field if that. The three stood in the square and went “Huh? Really”

This piazza is also contains the Fountain of Joy. It is a fifteenth-century fountain with water supplied from ancient aqueducts and nearby canals in the surrounding hills of Tuscany. They are not sure why it is joyful. Joyce had a drink and didn’t seem any more joyful.

After visiting the townhall, they walked back to the flat returning after five. Sadly, they missed all the gelato stores that day.

HHR: Today the group is going to visit the Cathedral of Siena. It is a Gothic church built in the 1200s. It contains artworks by Michelangelo, Donatello and Nicola Pisano., and from the top, you can admire the city. Jerry, where did you go first?

Jerry: It was exciting to walk through the streets of Siena and walk up several stairs to get to the church. Joyce had booked us on the “Gate of Heaven” tour.

Joyce: What is the “Gate of Heaven” tour? It is a chance to visit the hidden corners and rooms of the Cathedral. From this area, you can view the church’s masterpieces from a different perspective. You will be accompanied by an expert guide, climbing the winding stairways that are usually hidden from public view.

HHR: Sounds exciting. Was Debbie able to hobble up those many winding steps? I hope she wasn’t smiling at everyone. Did she take Pearl?

Debbie: Are you trying to make me sad? I wasn’t expecting to come in the door and immediately start climbing up the stairs. Also the guide was not much of an expert. The guide told us that she was a security guide. Did I see HHR sitting on the steps eating gelato in heels?

HHR: That’s not important. A good reporter can do their research.

Larry: We did see one woman who kept saying “I lost my group! I lost my group”. She was going against the crowd. The security/guard had to yell at her. She blocked the path.

HHR: Where did you do next?

Joyce; Well, we could see from the top of the church and then we went below and looked at all the art objects in the cathedral, crypt and museum. There were a lot.

Jerry: Originals of most of the art objects are kept in the museum.

Debbie:. You know my tube dress is missing from my suitcase. It looks suspiciously like the one, HHR, that you have on with gelato spilled down the front.

HHR: Okay, yes I did borrow the dress and we did have a minor gelato blow out but you, Debbie, don’t need the dress.

Larry: I think it is time for our group to sign off.

It was time to tell Florence goodbye and move to Siena. Once again, Joyce had us organized (somewhat). The group caught the city bus to the train station. The Florence train station is large and loud, teeming with people and pick pocket warnings. It isn’t as straight forward as one might think. The track number gets assigned right before the train arrives.

Once assigned, the track appears on the board. Our travelers stood huddled around their luggage peering up at the departure board waiting for their track number to appear while people flowed around them. Once the track appeared, one of the travelers yelled out the track number and the race was on. They ran to the track rolling (aka dragging) their suitcases behind while trying to keep an eye on the person ahead of them and find the correct car. Once they found the car and slung their bags up and got them secured, the group sat down with much relief. Florence train station is not for the faint of heart.

Once they got to Siena to get to the apartment, they used the escalator inside Porta Siena (shopping center) opposite Siena train station. They went up the first 2 escalators, then 2 travellators and then another 2 escalators. They are wide escalators which fit two people side by side. Here’s an interesting fact, your baggage can roll back down a travellator causing extreme excitement to the owner. The escalators are about double the length of one that you see in the US.

Historic moment: Siena is an eminent medieval city with a UNESCO-listed historic center. Surrounded by a well-preserved 1,000-year-old wall,

The flat is smaller but in a good location.

Since yesterday was dentist day for Debbie and Larry today was catch up day in Florence. Joyce sent them off with a list of things to see and a place to meet up. It was quite daring to send them off alone. Debbie often forgot her backup battery and her phone died. Larry had no idea where he was nor how to navigate. They made their way perhaps not the most scenic but they did make it to the Duomo Baptistry which is known for it’s doors and the outside of the Duomo (It was closed to the public).

Lunch was Asian (modern style) somewhat confusing to the crew. The tradition of eating Chinese food every single trip they take was met and could be checked off the list.

The afternoon was a 2.5 hour free English tour of the Basilica di Santa Croce (Italian for ‘Basilica of the Holy Cross’). It is the principal Franciscan church of Florence, Italy. It is the burial place of some of the most notable Italians, such as Michelangelo, Galileo and Machiavelli. Our tour guide, Dan, told lots of interesting stories and usually ended with a “believe or not you be the judge” statement after each story..

One story that Dan told was about Michelangelo. History Moment: When Michelangelo died in Rome in February, 1564, he was initially laid to rest in Rome. Florence wanted him buried in his home town and to honor him with a state funeral and a proper tomb in Florence. Michelangelo’s nephew and heir, was assigned the task of ‘stealing’ the corpse. He had it sent secretly in a bale of hay, disguising it as a piece of merchandise. His tomb is in the church.

Dan also told the story of the Pazzi conspiracy. There was also a room with perfect acoustics that made everyone want to secretly try it out but it wasn’t a secret when you tried it out because everyone heard you trying to sing in the perfect room.

Yes, friends that was a 2.5 hour tour in case you missed the length.

Late breaking news from HHR in that today Debbie deviated from the planned activities and pulled Larry with her. Let’s drive deeper into the story.

HHR: Debbie, I have heard that you tried to emulate an oyster and create your own Pearl. Tell us about that. I hope you didn’t bother Larry too much,

Debbie: I woke up with something in my mouth and it looked like a tooth but it wasn’t. It was part of my temporary tooth cover. And the only bother to Larry was when he had to pry open my hand from my comatose state and listen to me mumbling “I knew it!” So yes, I have what I call a little pearl but you don’t have to tell everything you know.

HHR: Actually I do I’m a reporter. Oh, Larry . What did you do?

Larry: Well, we just carried on to Florence. We should have given Debbie a stiff couple of drinks. She was sort of dazed. She found a special container to carry her little pearl with her

HHR: is it true? Did Debbie almost caused an international incident on the train?

Debbie: Hey, wait a minute. That was Joyce.

Joyce: Well, that Russian lady started yelling and threw our suitcases out of the seats and on the floor. I just yelled back. Their were plenty of empty seats. In fact 400 or so. I looked it up.

HHR: Jerry. What do you and Larry do?

Jerry; We just thought they could fight it out. It wasn’t Larry or my suitcase. Debbie and Joyce are pretty scrappy! Although Debbie kept mumbling about a pearl. She just wasn’t focused.

Joyce: After the incident, I did get information through my contacts of who the American embassy recommends for medical/dental emergencies in Florence. I did have to give it to Debbie a couple of times and she did try to make me hold Pearl while she read it.

Debbie: We made it to Florence after a heart stopping taxi ride to the flat

HHR Larry how was the flat?

Larry: Definitely old and authentic. It has two winding staircases. One that goes through the master and up with no bathroom. Joyce looked at Debbie still clutching her pearl and said that Debbie could have the downstairs bedroom. It would have been hard to get a suitcase up a winding staircase.

HHR : So now you are in Florence with your little Pearl what did you do Debbie? Did you fly back home? It must be awful for Larry to walk around with a toothless companion.

Larry. It’s okay, she held her own with the Russian. HHR, I would be careful with her.

Debbie: I screwed up my courage and called a number to leave a message . To my great surprise, the dentist answered and agreed to meet me at 5 on a Saturday yet. Larry went with me. (I did not have the entourage like when I broke my finger in Hawaii.)

Larry. We took a taxi to the dentist’s office and she was very nice. She convinced Debbie that it would be ok and gave her a prescription.

HHR. You were in the suburbs. How did you get home?

Larry: You won’t believe this. Dr Moll drove us home in her tiny electric car when she couldn’t get a taxi. Now that is service because we would have been in a pickle.

HHR and Pearl ?

Debbie: I still have her in a special case waiting to come back to the USA.

HHR And how is Larry holding up? Is he embarrassed by Debbie’s carrying on?

Debbie: Just fine…He got to talk about electric cars with the dentist….he skipped a church visit..he ate Debbie’s lunch. We are thinking of coming to Florence for our next dental work. Now go interview someone else. Carrying on….l might have wiped a tear from my eyes but did not carry on.

The day after Pisa was somewhat anticlimactic. They walked around and bought pork sandwiches for lunch. The bread was harder than normal giving Debbie some anxiety.

Joyce and Debbie went shopping that afternoon. Mei who will turn 1 in October scored well for her birthday. She might be ready for a European tour with her new wardrobe.

The next day, Florence.

HHR here. Today is a big day for the four and of course I will be along to keep them honest.

HHR: Larry, can you tell us where you are going today?

Larry: Well, I just follow along. I just stay with the group but think we are going to the leaning Tower of Pisa.

Debbie: Yes, I told myself in 7th grade geography that one day I would go and Joyce is making it happen.

HHR: Well, good for you Debbie. Now let’s hear from someone else.

Jerry: Yes, the leaning Tower of Pisa is actually the campanile, or freestanding bell tower, of Pisa Cathedral. The tower began to lean during construction in the 12th century, due to soft ground which could not properly support the structure’s weight.

HHR: Thank you Jerry, I’m sure not everyone knew that especially our poor little 7th grader want to be.

Debbie: Hey, I knew most of that. I knew it was a tower in Pisa, it was in Italy and that it leaned.

Joyce: I also knew the tower and the cathedral, baptistery, and cemetery are included in the Piazza del Duomo

Debbie: Did you know the cemetery is inside with old frescos? The name, Campo Santo” translates to Holy field because it is rumored to have been built around a shipload of sacred soil from Golgotha brought back from a crusade. Also there were Roman tombs that the early town folks emptied, added their name and viola fancy tomb.

HHR: Of course, Debbie, everyone knew that. Larry did you use your magnificent singing voice to sing in the Baptistry?

Larry: No, the guard sings every 30 minutes but I tried a little something out.

Debbie: Whose magnificent voice are you talking about? Because I never heard this Larry cut loose.

HHR: Any last thoughts from anyone other than Debbie?

Larry: There were people everywhere and they were all trying to take the same picture. It was insane.

Debbie: I was really impressed with the tower. The picture taking really annoyed me. I am sure that I am in several pictures around the world holding up the tower with my head as I crashed the shot.

HHR: Debbie, we would expect nothing less from you.

Larry’s foot and knee still had him down so did not wander out.

They stayed close to Piazza Napoleone.

Historic moment: September 5, 1944 – Lucca Liberation day. The soldiers of the Fifth Army, 92nd Infantry Division, called the Buffalo Soldiers, entered through Porta San Pietro and reached Piazza Napoleone. (Our windows looked down on this plaza.) Here they met the citizens of Lucca in celebration when, with the Allies close, the Germans had abandoned the city.

Because of this Lucca avoided the shelling and bombardments Unfortunately, the Nazis implemented their strategy of “aggressive retreat”. Wehrmacht snipers, hidden in bell towers outside the city walls, such as that of the Church of San Marco, in houses and in the football stadium, shot citizens celebrating the liberation or guarding the city gates. History is all around us in the old city.

During the day Joyce told Debbie about a special type of pastry (donut) that was popular in Lucca called Nelli. They looked like the Hawaiian malasadas which Debbie especially likes. They found the Nelli wagon on the Piazza Napoleone. One can see it from the kitchen window. They found Debbie there a lot staring out the window.

They first stop, St. Martin’s Cathedral for the day. Some kind of moment: It is a Catholic cathedral dedicated to Saint Martin of Tours. Construction was begun in 1063. A legend as to why columns of the façade are different. The story says when they were going to decorate it, the people of Lucca announced a contest for the best column. Each artist made a column, but then the people of Lucca decided to take them all, without paying the artists and used all the columns.

The tower has only 212 steps up a staircase with a nice handle to grip in order to see great views of Lucca. Of course, you can’t see the views until you are able to stand up and stop gasping. Plus someone may have to help you pry your hand off the handrail.

The next stop was inside the church and the museum. As always amazing things to see. Shout out picture to son-in-laws, Daniel and Aaron, who hopefully will see the shout sometime in October.

When they arrived back home, Joyce purchased a Nelli for everyone and a chocolate cake. Talk about a sugar high. Nelli review …Fried a little bit too long, so Debbie has cut back on her time at the window.