Livorno, Italy Beautiful Tuscany October 26th Monday

Oh, how do I begin to share the feelings driving along these country roads among the flowing hills with plowed fields, grape groves, farm house castles and more. I see animals grazing on the distant hills. I imagine the many acres of sunflower fields blooming in July. The guide tells that very likely it is the Etruscans from southern Asia who emmigrated here many centuries BC, fleeing hardship, war, discrimination. No one really knows why. The Guide tells us that they were a peaceful & passive people in this area of Tuscany with a Matriarchal Society. She says the men would be out in the fields doing long hours of work while the women managed the homes deciding the leadership style for community prosperity.
Tuscany became popular because of the Hollywood film "Under the Tuscan Sun".
Our tour bus meandered along the bending, rising roads as we watched the rolling hills and vast vistas slip by faster than we could print a memory in our brain.

We arrived at the first town very high above the valley of rolling hills, Volterra.
The morning air was brisk, fresh and the sun glistening off the ancient rock and stone castle-like fortress of the town.

Alabaster is mined off the mountains. The store near our bus was a large alabaster store. We meandered in and I bought a blue stone bracelet for 5 Euros.
Soon, we were called together and the 50 tourists were led to the Medieval Center (of town). There were open air cafe's with out patrons so early in the morn. There were many narrow cobblestone walkways leading in all directions begging us come hither and remember or spend money...We found an empty park and a potty for free. The park was nestled along a hillside mental institution. We found lots of colorful trees as autumn had arrived.

One incredible observation we noted that everywhere in Italy one must pay .50 Euros to use the toilette. We wondered how does one pay an employee take these small monies. There surely is more to the story.
We found a cafe serving coffee by a Phillpino and the busy owner of this chocolate and coffee store. We had some treats and meandered among the stone streets admiring the way people hung out their wash and lived in these old buildings with flowers and plants in pots on their front step or hanging from their windows high. We purchased some items and noticed a small yellow bus filled with young children taking a tour of the town center.
We were off to the next town and a farm house lunch in the town of San Gimingano. Lunch time was 1:30 and we thoroughly enjoyed the dining event. Seated, and with quick picture taking, because it was time for some wine and rest. We were served a type of basic brushetta with tomatoes, purple onion,white cannelli beans and wine
(The guide told us that the tomato first came to Italy from Mexico centuries ago. Tomatoes were not a natural occurence in Italy.)
We had bowtie tomato pasta and wine, salad and proscuitta and salami, more wine and rasberry dessert, more wine. We were a happy crowd and I am thinking how wonderful people are, the talents and desires, the energy and creativity, it is breathtaking when I think of it. I can only give to God, thanks for this joy I am gifted.
We walked the stone streets, visited numerous shops, took too many pictures and amazed at the crowds of people from all over the globe. It was a beautiful farewell to our Italian countryside visit.
We were back on our boat at about 7 pm. It was an 1 and 1/2 hour bus ride back to Livorno and the Cruise ship. We were tired but Donna and I managed to freshen and dress for our last dinner in the dining room with Anthony and Leslie attending to our every dining need. How I wish I had more energy to go to one of the numerous dancing lounges as I was not with a care in the world when dancing with my girlfriends. To room 7343 we went and packed and nudged our clothes and souveniers into place. Placed our bags outside our door at 10:30 pm and slept our last nite on this Carnival Dream...Tomorrow meet John Fiore, our Rome Guide and our Vatican Visit.