Siena to San Gimignano 40 kilometers-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 easy for us including water bottles bike locks panniers and even a bike computer. I brought my bike computer but didn't want to have to use it if I didn't need to. 

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 if 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

Rome in a day

Yup. We decided to see what we could see of Rome in one day. 

If there was more time, it would have been great to see more of this amazing city. It's just so busy and crowded that we wanted to explore by bikes (not in Rome). 

Mostly, when traveling, if I don't already have a bike, I will rent one or I'll say "I just wish I had a bike to see this city."

Not the case from Rome. 

As Ashlyn and I meandered up the Spanish steps and down the small narrow street, I said what I rarely say: " I'm so happy we don't have bikes while we are here in Rome". There is just too much going to be able to find my way around. 

Ashlyn and I got up and showered took the train to the metro to piazza de spagna (the Spanish steps) to our 11 am tour of George de chirico's house. He was one of the painters who was a strong influence towards the surrealism movement. Originally from Greece, he moved around lots and settled for a long time in Rome. 

It was cool to see where he lived and to see his painting studio.  Interesting toyr

Ashlyn and I found a gluten free friends restaurant for her and then made out way to the coliseum. We got some gelato on our way, of course. 

It's was so cool so see the

Coliseum. Though crowded with so many people, it was also cool to observe people from everywhere around the world. It reminded me of being at the aya Sofia in Istanbul. So much history and such a mix of people there to see it all. 

On our way back to the bus station we stopped by a beautiful shoe store. Almost a museum in its own right of really fancy shoes from the previous year. The window displays were just beautiful. Di saw and awesome pair f boots and sadly, they didn't fit. 

I wrote this now on the way to Sienna by bu. looking forward to less big city intensity for a while. 

Very late arrival to Rome

Our plane was delayed multiple times leaving Madrid. 

Once we arrived in Rome we easily got to each train and transferred smoothly. That was true of course until we had to take a bus. I think we waited 45 minutes if not longer. While hungry and tired and just looking down the road for where to go with no map to help up find our way walking. 

No good photos yet except for one with a boy hanging on his dads luggage. And another from the subway in Madrid on our way to the airport. 

I took the photo on this subway more to take note of the announcer voice. "proxima estathion" ---Esperanza??? Nope, not right but each time, I t sounded like the right voice for Manu chau's song. "que hora son mi corazon". 

That brings back all kinds of memories from study abroad and the end of college. 

Madrid

Hi from Madrid. After spending the morning sleeping in. We headed for Madrid. After a smooth 4 hour drive, we arrived at our hotel. 

We strolled around town then headed to the theater. 

It was an awesome venue built in 1889. Teatro Lara. 

The show was called burundangas. It was a comedy. Well done though I probably understood only around 70% of it. 

Tomorrow we plan to check out a museum and then head to the airport for Italy. 

I hope everyone had a great Xmas day. 

Big hugs. 

Rel

Cena de la noche buena

Dia de San Tomas

12/21

The days start to get longer. Little by little. It's a wonderful thing. 

Today is a day of celebration in basque country. People are out on the street drinking and eating. 

It's hectic and full of life. 

12/23: Exploring the rails to trails

Today Ashlyn and I took a field trip.
We grabbed our bikes and headed for the hills.
Well, first to the train station, then to the hills.
There is this great path along a former railway starting in a town called Andoain.
After hopping off the local train with our bikes we took this outdoor double ecalator up the hill into town and started on our way.
At first there were lots of people out exercising.  We would greet them as we go by, Kaixo (pronounced kay show), "hello" in basque.  The further along the path, the fewer people we saw, as we greeted them with an "aupa" Ash says "that's what I say to greet people when hiking".
Okay, I am starting the learn the different basque (Euskera) nuances.  The only tough part is that I know the right word, but I forget when to say what.  I just shout out something in Basque and then kind of hope no one heard me...
Stick with spanish, I think to myself.
So, we rode up a gentle grade seeing beautiful hills, a gorgeous river, and through dark tunnels along the way.
Because the trail was initially made for trains:  they had done mining in the area...
the tunnels were already built nicely.  They were lots of fun as sometimes dark, drippy, and full of puddles.  Ahslyn rode ahead of me, and all I could see was darkness and her blinking light.
I just had to trust for that short moment in time that the ground was right there in front of me even though I couldn't see it.
Its like that same feeling of getting to the top of a hill, but you can quite see the top because it drops down right after it peaks.  Fun.
After a 3 hour ride, we took the train back and continued planning the rest of our trip.
Plans changed, and we aren't going to the small town near Portugal anymore.  We had planned on celebrating the holiday in Kepa's mom's country home there.  But, instead, we are now going to Bilboa with a picnic and tourism along the way.
With that, i have to pack up and prep to leave San Sebastian.  Such a great city!
I hope everyone has a great  holiday, time to relax, and enjoy!
Sending love!

Not sure how to delete these didn't mean to upload multiple times.