Re posting for 12-28

Wow. Today was a big day. We took off walking 3 km to the bike shop outside f the walled town of siena. By the time we were outfitted with our bikes, it was 12:30.  The bike shop was awesome and has bikes ready to go including water bottles, bike locks, panniers, and even a bike computer.

After a quick lunch, we climbed uphill out of town. It was slow and painful, but we made it. 

So as to not get lost, we stopped often to check the map. 

A nice Italian man stopped to see if we needed help with directions. 

"grazie!" we say with a smile. Then we say "englese? Espagnol?"

No he says "italianisimo"

Uh oh. Here we go... So we figured out on our own and with his help that we were going the right way. 

Then, as I asked him to take a picture of us as we were finally starting our cycling trip. I knew it would be a stretch to have him use the phone to take a photo. 

And... I asked him anyway. 

He was so cute trying to figure out how to take a photo but failing miserably and of course making me laugh while watching him stare at the phone like it might explode. Photo included. 

So we rode on to Monteriggioni, an impressive walled city up a steep hill. 

Then onto San Gimignano. 

Man, what an uphill trek to a super touristy town. 

We ended up staying in a room at a monastery towards the edge of the walled city. 

Riding around Tuscany  is quite wonderful. Nice rolling hills, pretty views, signs along the way telling you where to go. Yeah, sometimes you get closer to a town and somehow the sign says it is further. But that's okay... The kilometers go by quickly.