Under the Tuscan Sun

Hello dear friends.  It is raining cats and dogs here.  I can't complain because we need the rain.  Tomorrow promises sunshine for my day at the showhouse.

If you haven't been bored to tears from hearing about my summer vacation yet, here is the third segment.  The first two posts, if you missed them, can be found here and here.

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The cruise ship offers at least five different excursions at each port. I chose our first adventure.  It was purely emotional.  I loved the movie Under the Tuscan Sun and have seen it at least a thousand times.  

Our fellow ship mates climbed onto the gigantic air conditioned bus en route to a day in Tuscany. We were to visit two towns and have lunch at a farmhouse.  This was right up my Tuscan alley.   

It wasn't until then that I asked the Mister how long the drive was and he told me about 90 minutes.  Ugh.  Along with my phobia of down escalators, I also have a tendency towards car sickness.  Being the brave soldier, I took a deep breath and said a quick Hail Mary and buckled down for the ride.

By the time we reached our destination, I had said a full Rosary.  This drive is not for the feint of heart.  Our gargantuan bus traveled up one-lane winding roads through the hills.  Every twenty minutes we had to slow down (thankfully) for another hairpin turn.

  

I took these from the bus.  

Although it was a white knuckle ride, the scenery was beautiful.

This small guard rail was our only protection.  Many parts of the rail were missing.  I didn't even want to a think about that.

Panoramio

Before entering the town of Volterra, we passed the prison.  This jail is like no other.  It is housed in a fifteenth century castle with towers built by Lorenzo de Medici.  It is also the home of one of the best theater companies in the area.     

New York Times

The jail mates take part in all facets of the theater production. They are serving time for everything from armed robbery to murder.  No white collar crime guys in this joint.

New York Times

It is known as Compagnia della Fortezza which translates as the Company of the Fortress.  It was launched in 1988 and began as "drama therapy" for the prisoners.    

reuters

Not only does the prison operate the theater, it also houses The Fortezza Medicea Restaurant.  It is open to the public once a month.  

The prisoners are trained in all capacities: cooking, baking, waiting tables, and wine selection.  The sommelier class includes wine tasting for the inmates.  I bet that class is popular!!

Entertainment Designer

I told the Mister that if we ever go back to that area, I want to dine there.  The tour guide told us that there is a long wait - a few months - for a reservation.  Guess I have to break the law to get in there.  Whatever it takes.

We made a stop in Volterra, which is a beautiful hilltop town.  It is known for a couple of things.

Volterra was the inspiration for the Twilight series.  It was home to Volturri, a coven of rich, powerful vampires.  I did not see any there, but I did keep my eyes open and my turkey neck covered.

  

This town is filled with beautiful antique doors.  Our tour guide told us that the doors were customary wedding presents from the in-laws.

Volterra is also known as the land of alabaster.  Alabaster is the only translucent stone in existence.

I asked if they carried any busts of George Clooney.  They told me that they just sold out. 

If you are in the market for alabaster, this is the town for you!

Our tour guide gave us an hour to walk around town.  He said if we needed to use the facilities, we should order a cup of coffee in one of the cafes, and use one there.

Looks like this lady was just caught flirting with the Mister!!  
HANDS OFF LADY!  HE'S TAKEN!!

I did not want to spoil my petite appetite for lunch.  The Mister didn't care and indulged at his every whim.  I think he would have sold me to the vampires for one of those meringues.

Needless to say, no matter where we are, the Mister and I spend about eighty-five percent of our lifetimes in search of the almighty wash room.  It is no different in Italy.

This is where we stopped for our "coffee."  Note to self:  check out the facility before making a purchase.  This place was a double YUCK!

We left loving Volterra and hopped onto the bus to head for the  local farmhouse for some Tuscan cuisine.

We arrived at the farmhouse about 45 minutes and 7 hairpin turns later.

We got to meet and socialize with our ship mates.  They were lovely.  The food was delicious and featured grilled vegetables, salami made from boar, lasagna, and sheep cheese, olives, and pine nuts which are indigenous of the area.  The sheep cheese was my favorite.  The cheese is soft and almost buttery.  We even had sheep cheesecake for desert.  We washed it all down with a glass or two of Chianti.  

Can you tell that they are big on sheep around here?

Many artists visit this farmhouse for inspiration.  The views are spectacular.

The next stop was San Gimignano.  It is an enchanting medieval village named after Bishop Gimignano, who saved the city from a barbarian attack.  Glad we weren't visiting on that day!

There were many shops that sold beautiful hand painted pottery. 

Also featured were fabulous fabrics from Provence.

I wanted to bring that big ol' boar home with me.  He would keep Chow in line.  But the Mister said that my suitcase was over the weight limit already.

A Tuscan Selfie.

I think the Mister is still thinking about that lady in the bakery!

Until next time...

Capturing la Vita