Life on the Via

9 July
This is the street we are living on during our time in Tuscana. Since Lucignano is a medieval city, there are only tiny curved streets, and no yards. So the residents create gardens in pots and windowsills.


-Issac

Location:Lucignano, Italia

I don't want to go to the beach... I love the beach!

8 July
I know I am behind, but there are two posts for today.

The whole way to Rimini where Iris' old roommate, Jacamo, is from, Lydia whined, " I don't want to go to the beach!" A soon as we got to the beach she was smiling and happy. With out her brother, who had a special day with Don and his Nana, she ate up all the attention she was getting and seemed to be relieved of the competition.



Jacamo and family were we're welcoming and fun to be around. Zach as they call him, and his girlfriend Georgia have been in Scandinavia, so Janelle had some competition for palest legs.


Gacamo's dad, Francesco, hand crafted a canoe so we took it out into the harbor.





The benefit of knowing a local who is a gracious host is the the show the best of their town. Not only did Zach's family share their private spot on the beach with us, Marina, Zach's mom, brought us a great picnic lunch on the beach.





In the evening Zach took us to his friends restaurant. Where we had our first serious seafood dinner. Lydia made friends with a little girl at the table next to us, Julia, even though they didn't speak the same language they managed to boss each other around as they played in the very large lawn of the restaurant. The seafood was amazing, scallops, muscles, and razor clams on the half shell, marlin, tuna, and a ridiculously good seafood salad.
-Issac

Location:Rimini, Italia

Under a Tuscan Umbrella.

We had a wonderful dinner at a local place arranged by Uncle Don, on their patio. Terry has now joined us on our adventure. The dinner was tasty, and so filling we could not finish the main course after devouring the previous courses. We had to apologize for leaving so much on our plates, and explain, the dinner was great we just didn't have room enough to finish. We had a idealic view of the valley as the actual Tuscan sun set.
-Issac

Location:Lucignano, Italia

Vino!

Beck and Lydia love playing at the playground just outside the village walls. So much so Beck can't decide what he likes best about Italia, the pool, or the playground. Do to unforeseen circumstances they got to spend a lot of time at there yesterday. The plan was to shuttle the whole family in two trips to a vineyard for a tour, the place was supposedly only a half hour away. Five hours later...

Don, Iris, and I were the scout team. After taking the wrong back road we finally made it to the winery we set out to find. Only to find out they only give tours and tastings by appointment, which being Nelsons we did not have. So we asked for directions to another winery that is open to the public. So we made it to the second vineyard, which was part of a resort, that Don described as, "where the one percent go on vacation". By this time Janelle, Deanna, and the kids said go on with out them.
We were famished so we sat down to eat at the resort restaurant, where my 20€ dish had one ravioli, yes just one. Regardless, we moved on to the wine shop, which was just as over priced and unsatisfying. After all that whining I do have to admit I like getting lost, it turns errands into adventures.

Determined to visit at least one real winery/vineyard, we tried on last place. Jackpot! Our host who at first seem annoyed to have to deal with us, quickly warmed up to her international guests; us, an Argentine couple, a Brazilian couple, and a Lithuanian couple.


English was the common language so everyone got along splendidly. There was even a joke about Lingua Franca, being replaced. To say Don was in his element was an understatement, by the time we left the Argentines, who own their own vineyard, we're coming to the Willamette Valley, and Don is planning his next international trip. Iris made friends with the vineyard dog.





We tried to make it up to Janelle and Deanna, by bringing back Chianti and chocolate. We're in Tuscana, there'll be more wineries. The plan is to take the bus next time so no one is left behind.





-Issac

Location:Somewhere near Siena, we're still not quite sure.

Swimming!

What do you do when it is over 90 degrees every day? You swim!!



Our little fish are actually putting their swimming lessons to practice. It is amazing how much better they've gotten. Both of them can jump from the side and hold their breaths while swimming to us.



The pool is kept MUCH cooler than the pools at home. But, you. quickly appreciate the cool dip. It is supposed to be 97 tomorrow; I think we will be spending our siesta time swimming!
- Janelle NG

Local Day

After a refreshing 6am walk around the village we spent the day trying out several of the local pastry shops. We've learned there are some things that are great at each.




This is the garden of the family who owns the place where we are staying. This is also where we get wifi, not a bad place to check email and plan your day.



This is our little street. It is lined with pots of amazing plants. One of our neighbors has a kitten he let us see. Beckett and Lydia LOVED the tiny kitten!
Later in the day we swam at the pool. Everyone is getting lovely tans except for mom- I am sporting some awesome freckles.



Lydia spent her evening coloring on the balcony that overlooks the village gate. She is taking on the true Italian spirit of watching everything go on.
- Janelle NG

Location:Lucingano, Italy

Swimming!

Today was one of the more un eventful days. We did decide to head over to the pool (for the second time so far) to wear the kids out.

The pool is just out of town on our host's private property. To see the rest of the place could make you consider moving to Tuscany. There are feathery cypress trees, a grove of silver olive trees, and a lane to the pool lined entirely with lavender.

The whole lane is filled with a million bumblebees and more kinds of butterflies than I've seen in one place. They are hard to take pictures of though.

This is the view of the church tower from one of the bedroom windows. We have heard the bells many times and are enjoying it.
This evening we enjoyed a feast in the town center at a lovely restaurant with Nanna and Iris. The setting couldn't have been more traditionally Tuscan! And, of course, we completed the day (like we have every day) with some fantastic gelato - mine was coconut anise- deliciouso!
-Janelle

Location:Lucignano, Italy