A Whole Lot of Nakedness

Yup.. you read this correctly... we were in Florence not to long ago. I wonder how many people in the days of old wandered the streets naked... Really, as we went to see the David and all the other works of art in the Accademia, I wondered to myself - Didn't they get cold at night? Men laying out naked... women drape themselves wearing next to nothing. My, I sure felt sorry for them...
Andrea pointed out that it is nice and warm here so... really... you can. I think I will keep my pants on instead. I thought you might appreciate that Steve...
So... today, we left our place of solitude and peace. No more castle, we are back among the throngs of thousands in the city of Rome, sharing a room with more strangers - strange I know!
I know you wonder what we have done in the meantime... so here it is...
Since the last blog we have been to Florence where everyplace you turn you are greeted by art. Andrea decided that she was cool with driving in and I said that I could try to navigate us through the streets. She is an amazing Italian Driver! Did not flinch once... Meanwhile I was freaking out and yelling at all the drivers honking... I was able to help her out and we parked next to the bus station. Saw Boboli gardens... never knew the creaters of the prebaked pizza dough had a garden but I guess you learn something new everyday...
The next day we went to Arezzo - our car got keyed... that did not stop our four hour drive through the Toscan hills. Backroads all the way! We witnessed rolling fields of sunflowers, wheat, grapes, really old houses - all the things that make up a really good tourist calendar. We wound up at San Gimignano, an old town surrounded by a wall... strictly a walking endevour. it was a page out of a history book, only not as boring. We were in a Toscan Heaven... Beyond all expectations.
On Friday - our final day we went to Pisa. I'll be darned - there really is a leaning tower! With that confirmed we left for the town of Lucca - way cooler! Another walled city, we ate ice cream and walked on the wall. This place was one I could have explored longer... but....
NO TIME! We met some folks from California and had helped them out when they were in a predicament on our initial arrival. Over the course of the week we hung out and on this night we were having a final dinner together.Simply amazing... the owner of the resturant waited on us and then pulled up a chair afterwards and talked with us for an hour. Our day ended at 1:30 in the morning.
I must go.... but for Jamie, before I sign off.... The food is - well - food. I have no problem eating it. One night, Andrea and I ordered the cheese platter - they gave us every cheese known to cause constipation coupled with honey and jam. OH MY GOD - IT WAS INCREDIBLE!!!!!!! Who knew that Blue Cheese and honey could be so good??? It is all so simple but each bit so complex! What can I say, I have eaten some of the best food of my life... though as far as lasagna goes, my mother's still reigns champ.
We will be thinking of you all tonight as our drunken roommates stumble in at 3 in th morning. Ah... Rome!
Ciao