seekingmygreaterperhaps

As my very unique, totally original, and definitely not based on a book or movie title would suggest, I have been enjoying the Tuscan sunshine recently. I have been in Florence, Italy amongst the sunshine. It was a much needed weather change, and spring is here. But, in this post I’ll be talking about Pisa and Siena, see my next post for Firenze. (tricky, I know).

An artsy pic of the Leaning Tower of Pisa acting like an eclipse… I thought it was cool.

I took a day trip out to Pisa to see the infamous Torre. It was a beautiful day, and all the better to soak up the glorious structure with. It actually does lean really far, and it’s crazy when you see it. Overall, it was kind of surreal for me to be there, it didn’t feel like I was there. It’s a bright white tower against a backdrop of a perfectly blue sky. You hear about it in school, you see pictures of it, and you watch it in movies (sometimes), then all of a sudden you are there. You take the touristy picture of you holding it up, and then maybe climb up. (I passed on this trip to the top- it was 18 euro and I didn’t really feel like the expense.) But other than that, I don’t think there is that much to do in Pisa.

It was interesting to me that this town pretty much thrive on tourism. Millions of people come to see this tower, maybe eat some lunch, and then hop on the train and move on. OR if you didn’t know that Pisa isn’t quite the bumping town, you stay at a hotel. I’m glad it gives the people in Pisa some income, and amazes me at the same time. How come Indiana doesn’t have something like this? At the same time, I’m glad it doesn’t- big tourist attractions are overcrowded and overpriced… but are tourist attractions for a reason. In Pisa I bought myself an intricate bracelet made out of a fork. It is seriously rad, and I also got it engraved- double rad.

My next stop was a “traditional Tuscan town” called Siena. I read about it in a guide book someone left at the hostel and decided to go. Unfortunately, what was once a quaint town is now lined with souvenir shops… damn tourists. ;] (I realize this post may sound whiny, it is not my intent. I just have come to value experiences.) Anyways, Siena was truly beautiful. I stopped and had an awesome lunch of fresh pasta and wine straight from Tuscany.

As a bonus, it even came with wifi.

In Siena’s big plaza-thing.

My favorite part of Siena was wandering around the streets. They are narrow, and brown and cream color-ed scheme, and exactly out of a book or movie. It was definitely the traditional Tuscan town. Everything was cute, and everything was beautiful. There were some windows with green shutters, some with flower boxes outside. Crooked alleys and an accordian player (fact). I really enjoyed the afternoon there.

I also went into the cathedral, after having seen a picture online before I went. It was more unique than other cathedrals, so I decided to hit it. The columns were black and white stripes, and the ceilings and floors were unbelievable.

My favorite part however, was this older chap. Just check out his pants.

The train ride to and from these places was also breathtaking. It is straight from a movie, with the golden rolling hills, and little yellow houses sitting on top of them, with those tall pointy trees all lined up. I soaked it all in, relishing the moment. I didn’t take any pictures because i thought the dirty train window would ruin the mystique.

Tuscan countryside- you rule.