12-31 return bikes and off to Padua with a layover in Florence

I went to

Bed too late to wake up so early. But, alas, the alarm went off and it's time to move. 

We have a limited time to explore Florence. 

Up and ready for breakfast, my still damp clothes into the pannier as we bike into Siena to return our bicicletas. 

Another exciting ride except less thrilling during the day. Carlo escorted us to the bike shop and then to the bus. What a treat to not have to navigate having to find our way around. Shortly after, we were waving good bye to Carlo and in our way to Florence. 

Once off the bus we both were so thankful for the quiet days in the small towns. Time to weave our way through streets full of people. 

It was so cool to be here. The buildings in Florence are different than I had imagined. Beautiful and stunning. Overwhelmed by the people ash and I were more worried about eating and peeing before seeing the sights. Each cafe restaurant and gelateria was just as crowded as the one before. Success! We found a place and stuck with it!

From there we explored: the duomo, palacio Medici, the vechio bridge. We saw a cool art installation based around the bicycle. 

Vacation days seem to last for weeks 65 km volterra to San Rocco a pilli

Today we were treated to a great breakfast in our hotel in volterra. 

With full bellies we set out on our way to head back to Siena. Well, that was the plan. Our first 25 km were hilly. Lots of down hill but some ups all the same. It was fun, though cold and tiring. 

When we finally got to Valle de col de else we stopped for a coffe/hot chocolate to warm up. 

Thus ensued the funniest conversation of italian-English-Spanish-pantomime-pigeon language to figure out which road we needed to find. 

Turns out, we were 100 meters from the roundabout with all the info we needed just before we stopped. 

It's was a great stop anyway to warm our fingers and toes. 

On towards Siena on the 541 orange color highway: the lo g way around. 

A whole different story here. 

Flat terrain and smooth riding: lots of other cyclists along the way. 

We traveled another 40 km in a short period of time and ended up close to our friend Carlo who connected with via warmshowers. 

We had planned to stay with him a few nights before but couldn't get out to his small town. This time, with bikes, we would at least stop by on our way. 

After we met Carlo, our whole plan changed. What an Interesting and kind man. 

We arrived, did laundry, discussed so many interesting topics from politics to history to food preferences. 

 We went on a thrilling evening ride from his house to sienna to some of the best shops around town. 

It was great to speed around on a bike without having to find our way. Carlo led to way as we followed using his powerful bike lights to illuminate our way. 

Up around and down and up and up into the walled old town of Siena. Off to the natural food store, a stop for gelato, and zooming back out of town. Little stops to meet his friends along the way. 

Ashlyn and I laugh as we meet his friend, Alessandro,at a local specialty store. "he smelled good" I say in my no hesitations mode- ash adds on "better than us" as we unzip our jackets, we torture ourselves with the stink. 

Hhaha, always having a good time on these adventures. 

Thanks to Carlo, we get to shower and wash clothes and feel clean again!!!

More to add on this incredible day but getting so tired !!!

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. 

Rainy day bike ride 30 km to volte era

After sleeping for 10 hours, ash and I motivated to get up and get outside to bike in the rain. 

We had our yogurt and cured meat for breakfast and said goodbye to Magdalena, our mother nun for the night. 

As she watched us get our bikes ready to go, she continued to be surprised by our will to bike up and down the hills in the area. What better expression than "mama Mia" from our friend, the nun. 

I was sure that we did more climbing and more kilometers than the bike computer is willing to admit. We aspired to go 90 kms and instead, finished our day doing 30 kms. Cold wet feet were my reason for stopping and ash felt the same. 

Happy to relax and stay in volterra we shopped for a place to stay for the night. Prices were high in this little town and the seminary appeared closed. Well, maybe the monks were off praying somewhere. It is Sunday, after all. 

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.