Italy Trip: Day 4 - Pienza, Tuscany

Today has been amazing! We drove all over Siena, Tuscany tasting wine, climbing castles, and buying pecorino cheese & Italian leather. I am satisfied.

I was growing a bit weary of the city and longing for some green. Josh and I booked a tour with Walks of Italy and I recommend it 110%. We’ve learned so much and enjoyed every single part of it. The views are gorgeous. The wine is delicious, and the lunch with the Italians prepared on their farm will be a forever memory.

Alessandro sat down by Josh and I to converse for a few minutes and I loved watching the interaction between him and Josh. It was so familial. Like they’d been friends forever.

The food was delicious. Of course. And the environment was pure Tuscan. I had to keep saying. “I’m in Tuscany. Josh, we are wine tasting in Tuscany right now.” It doesn’t get any more legit than this.

We walked through the small town of Pienza where they’re known for Pecorino cheese. It’s a sheep’s milk cheese and in the states I normally buy it as a hard cheese, but here we tasted it as a softer cheese. Aged only 4 months. Delicious! Josh liked the kind with truffles, but I guess I’m more of a purist.

The views, the views, the views and the doors. I can’t tell you how many pictures I took today but I’m sure it’s a ridiculous amount. The green of the wheat growing is almost yellow green. It’s so bright and vibrant. Interestingly as we first left Rome by van the scenery reminded me of driving through Virginia. As we entered Umbria and then Tuscany though it was completely Tuscan! I also cannot stop taking pictures of doors! I love the old wood.

The group we’ve been with today has been fun and friendly. The Italians have been even friendlier and one of my favorite parts of the day was attempting to converse with a woman who knew very little English but she tried! I know very little Italian but I tried (and threw some Spanish in for good measure). Thankfully we had a couple guys who could translate where we fell short, but I loved it! I love languages, and I love connecting with people.

In Rome, most everyone can speak a good amount of English but it’s exhilarating to be in the smaller towns where we are not afforded that luxury. I can’t wait to go to the small town of Gallo Matese, where the Muccio family comes from. It should be quite the adventure!

We learned quite a bit about wine today. We learned quite a bit about a lot actually. Our tour guide Peter is like a human encyclopedia, but funny and entertaining. I can’t keep up with all the Catholic jargon as a Protestant, but I’m seeing more and more how they’ve shaped the history of the world. It’s so interesting that it’s acceptable to talk religion with a tour group because of all the history tied to it.

Overall, this day wins as the best one yet. Josh has been in awe all day (and asking our guide questions about everything – I love him for it.) I’ve been pinching myself and hoping I don’t wake up.

I have been blessed. This trip really does satisfy a lot of desires I’ve had, and I know the Lord gives us the desires of our heart. It doesn’t mean we always get what we want, because sometimes what we want isn’t what’s best for us. But I do know that every good and perfect gift comes from above. (James 1:17) And today I have been given a very good and perfect gift.