Bikes, foxes, and Firenze.

Thank you, Froilan, for all the wonderful things you taught me about cycling and bicycle maintenance. For instance: how to adjust brakes, seat height, air pressure, how to tighten and loosen various things, and general safety procedures. I know it may not have seemed like much at the time, but it helped me and my pals get to the top of a crazy mountain and down the other side in one piece. Or, four pieces. I don't have much time to write about all the amazing things I've done and seen in the last 10 days, but I will try to tell a little tale.

Us 4 WWOOFers decided to take a little bike tour of Tuscany. You know, little as in 63 km. Here is an overview of it. We chose a route that was suggested for professionals, but we decided we could handle it. The night before the ride was a worrisome one. We weren't even sure if the bike rental was open the next day, it looked like rain, Alicia had never biked before, etc. Well the next day dawned in a blaze of glory and we rode out of San Vincenzo like 4 bats out of hell. We biked from here to Castagneto Carducci; then up an excruciating hill to Sassetta where the brightly dressed Nonnis came out to greet us like we were in a parade. Actually, it reminded me of the opening scene to Beauty and the Beast. Disney version. We've been singing the theme song since then. From Sassetta, there was a beautiful downhill coast for about 40 minutes. Through the woods, it felt like all our cells were being renewed. It was so fertile and cool and refreshing. Finally we got to Suvereto and took a little break before another short journey up a gravel path to Belvedere.

Belvedere is actually where Heaven gets some of it's better ideas. It on the top of a mountain, it's about 700 years old, and I think the blessed mother lives there. She made us pasta. Not just any pasta, but homemade pasta with marscapone, sun dried tomatoes, and arugula. She even hobbled out of the kitchen to kiss each of us on both cheeks and tell us all how bella bella bella we were. We actually became enlightened in that little restaurant, for one glorious hour. After Belvedere, we trekked through the woods to Laura and Pietro's place. They recently renovated a 100 year old farm house and the grow medicinal plants and olives. We got a tour of the garden and a sample of the freshly made rose syrup. Apparently, all the Nonnis in Tuscany mix Rose Syrup and water as a drink for their grandchildren in the morning. It was the perfect way to pep us up for the 26 km ride we had ahead of us back to San Vincenzo. We barely made it back in time to return our bikes to Birgit, who gave us a ride home. Horrah for bike trips!

During the following week, we were working in the rosemary fields. One morning, as I was hacking away at a particularly tough weed, I looked up and saw a little Fox staring back at me from the other side of the bush. This little guy followed us around all week. He would greet us in the morning by playing a little game of hide and seek, then pop up every once in a while throughout the day to try to steal things from us. We alternated calling him Kristopherson and Chili, which is actually his name. It turns out he's the neighborhood fox and everybody feeds him, like a stray cat.

FIRENZE. Where do I start? What a city. I'm not done with it yet. Alicia and I saw San Lorenzo, miles and miles of leather, the Duomo, and a whole lot of night life. Our couch surfing host was amazingly accomodating and took us around the town. We stayed out til 4 am and got fresh (chocolate filled) croissants on the walk home straight from the baker's rack. The next day was spent trying to recover and find the train station, so unfortunately I didnt see much more! I am going back this weekend, so I'll have more adventures to write about soon.

I only have one day left on this farm! I am sad, but very excited to see what happens next. The next farm I'm going to is near Genova. It's called Casa del Sole. Updates soon!

Bacio

Rosa