Tuscany, Wine, and Pisa....In that Order

Let me start out by saying Steven and I have five days left in Italy. Both of us are reaching the sad state of mind about having to leave the country. We had the same reaction before leaving Greece. We made our way into Tuscany today. Visiting Siena and San Gimignano before making our way to Pisa and back to Florence. Each city was amazing in its own way. As we entered Siena, we were told about a long tradition in which there is a horse race in the main square in August and July. This is a BIG event. Each district in the city has its own flag and symbol and the people of Siena associate themselves with their district throughout their lives. As a point of interest, of which I did not know, Italy has only been unified for 150 years. Before the unification, the country was a series of "city states." This in theory would make the USA older than the country of Italy. Due to the geopolitical makeup Italians associate themselves with their city more so than Italy. In Siena the people have a deeper rooted association to their district. As we entered the city the "Dragon District" was walking around Siena in preparation for the horse race in July. Each Sunday until July and August a district will take each Sunday for walking around the city with their flags and drums getting the locals ready for the horse race. Another fact...Siena has the most beautiful square in all of Tuscany if not Italy. After Siena we made our way to a winery (organic winery at that). Here is where the fun began. We had a WONDERFUL lunch - pasta, bread, salad, cheese, etc. And the bottles of wine just kept coming. We met people from Hawaii that we had a blast with. By the end of lunch I was unable to tie my shoe or touch my nose, whichever you need to do for a sobriety test. I failed. We had white wines, red wines, and a dessert wine. I swear Steven kept filling my glasses, but he insists he only gave me one glass of each wine. However, it appears I kept pouring myself more wine. Upon getting to San Gimignano, I was feeling good. hahahahaha. As many of you know I get very friendly when I am drinking....so we made new friends. One couple we met came to Europe for the first time on this trip. They came over with no hotel rooms booked and no idea what they were going to do when they got here. It was amazing to hear how they worked their way through Europe. Back to San Gimignano, also known as the Medieval Manhattan. This city was our favorite stop. Everyone should visit here. We made our way from San Gimignano to Pisa. Here comes the story of the day. So we decided we would climb to the top of the leaning tower. First let me say, it was unreal to drive up and see the leaning tower. Once again I remember being in 9th grade and hearing my teachers talk about being at the tower. I was so excited to finally make a trip to Pisa. So we ascend up the tower steps....it was very odd because you could feel the slant of the tower. However, the oddest part...as we got to the first stop a security guard made us stop instead of going on up. We were told we need to rest (at least that is what I understood). After about 10 minutes they let us head up the remaining steps. As we started up, I noticed the steps were wet and called out to Steven and our new friends to be careful that there is pigeon pee all over the steps. They all laughed, but agreed the birds had urinated on the steps. OHHHHHH no....come to find out, someone had an accident on the top of the tower. The top was covered in blood and they were trying to clean it off. After walking to the top, Steven and others saw the steps covered in blood. The guard stated to Steven it was a blood bath as there had been two accidents, and then compared it to a horror film. All I know, when I got to the top of the tower.....I froze. It was so odd to feel the slant of the tower and see the height. I held on for dear life as I made my way around the rail. On the way out of Pisa, Steven was so excited. He proclaimed to me..."look honey, there is another leaning tower. Remember the guide said there is more than just the main one." I looked and did not exactly know how to handle the situation. Our new friends, were sitting in front of us. I looked at Steven and stated "ummm honey that IS the leaning tower of Pisa." He busted out laughing and tried to hide his head. Everyone thought it was so funny. Steven simply stated "pretty is a great characteristic to have sometimes." Tomorrow....we are on the train to Venice.