Tuscany...

Since I’m on this side of the ocean, I figured it made sense to quickly pop over to the continent to visit a few friends from Salford.  My first destination was Tuscany.  I stayed with my friend Silvia in the little town where she grew up, Staggia.  It’s not far from Siena and a bit further from Florence, and it’s right in the heart of picturesque Tuscany.  because I stayed with Silvia in Staggia last summer, this trip felt like returning to an old, familiar place.  We spent less time sightseeing and more time doing casual Tuscan things.  It was absolutely brilliant.

I flew into Pisa international airport, so Silvia and I walked over to the Tower of Pisa for a few photos.  The plaza is absolutely crawling with tourists taking the cliché “holding up the tower” photos, but the tower itself is pretty interesting.  In Italy, it is also called “the miraculous tower” because it still stands when it’s not straight.  

Daniele and Silvia

Silvia introduced me to Daniele, and together the three of us visited the Abbey of San Galgano, which operated in the 14th century and was abandoned centuries ago.  The abbey still stands, but the roof disappeared long ago, leaving the entire sanctuary open to the sky.  It was really cool, but I wish they hadn’t turned it into an attraction with an entry fee.  Some of the doors were locked which took away from the beauty of the light spilling in.  

Later that night we visited Siena for its contrada celebration.  Tuscany is divided into 17 districts called contradas, each with a mascot, and the contradas celebrate their own region at various points in the year.  Siena’s contrada, Nicchio (“nicky-o”, meaning seashell) hosted its final night of celebrations while I was there, so we went to the city centre to drink wine, sing and dance to Italian songs, and eat traditional Tuscan food.

Pappa al pomodoro

I was really excited to visit the beach, so Silvia took me to Castiglione della Pescaia (“cast-ee-lee-OWN-ay dell-uh pesk-EYE-uh”).  It was my first time swimming in the Mediterranean!!  I was so excited.  We stayed on the beach to watch the sunset, then we drove to a geothermal spring in the mountains.  It was like sitting in a hot tub that smelled strongly, but not unpleasantly, of sulfur.  There were tons of people there, Italians and tourists, but I couldn’t stop staring at the stars.  I know I’m a sheltered suburban/city kid, but I swear I’ve never seen so many stars in my life. 

Castiglione della Pescaia

The stars above the thermal pool

The next morning, Daniele took me, Silvia, and a few more friends out to the castle (literally) where he practices archery.  We shot at target boards first, then we hiked a forest trail with foam animals for targets.  I think I was pretty good!

Daniele coaching me

Being in Tuscany again was better than I hoped it would be.  Italian hospitality is incredible, especially Silvia and her family, the land is beautiful, and the food is phenomenal.  And it’s funny that after only eight days of my life there, I was really quite sad to leave.  Who knows when I’ll be back?  But I can say that this trip was full of new experiences, far more familiarity with Tuscan culture, and (like last time) the desire to come back soon.