Ciao Italia...

Paula here with a bit of an update...we've been enjoying ourselves (and refusing to pay €4.50 and hour for internet) so we haven't had much time to write. Now though, we have free internet (and free washing) since we're in Scotland visiting my friend lou and her hubbie stu. Goodtimes.

So here's an update from Siena on...you may want to sit down, get some din din and get comfortable because this could be a long one. Feel free to pat yourself on the back if you make to the end...it may be like putting in 3 hours at the Vatican museum (i.e. quite an accomplishment).

Siena was lovely. A smaller town with a lot of character and as Per mentioned, close proximity to wineries. We did a couple of wine tours, one in Chianti and one in the Brunello region which is known to have the best wine in the world currently...it's the soil apparently. The second tour did not bring about a whirling and twirling world for Per; however, it did bring about a few more bottles of wine for us pack (very carefully) in our bags. I'm praying I don't smell wine eminating from my back pack upon our arrival back in the states. Though it'd be an excellent reason to get new clothes and would likely smell much nicer than my dirty clothes so... We visited a couple of precious hilltowns in the region, Montalcino and San Gimigmano, which were fantastic...I am realizing more and more that I am a small town girl. Not sure if that means I should move back to Vashon someday but the cities do overwhelm me a touch.

From Siena we travelled on to Cinque Terre which was easily my favorite stop in Italy. It was a bit of a struggle to get there as we had to take a bus and three trains and as our bank noticed some "unusual activity" on our account so we couldn't get any money...minor problem. Apparently they aren't reading our blog and didn't know we were in Europe. Nevertheless, we stayed in Montorosso al Mare, the western most town of the 5 towns on what is considered the Italian riviera. It's gorgeous! Five small pastel towns built into the rocks on the coast line connected by trains and a 13km walking trail. As we arrived on Wednesday (Champion's league semifinal match day) we headed for lunch and Per promptly found a cute Panini pub that would be playing the game that night...Thank the Lord!! our plans for the evening were set, now what to do for the rest of the day. We wandered, laid on the beach listening to Harry Potter (fyi I'm making sure to put the HP in every post...love it! and am now searching Edinburgh for JK Rowling and secretly hoping to visit King's Cross station in London!! Best Ever!) and then headed to Vernazza (next town over) for a bit of Gelato and a Gordon sighting, which completed my vacation (for those that know me well, I LOVE my fat cat Gordon).

Next day we did the 13km trail. Up and down steep steps and trails along the coastline and through farm land of olives, lemons and grapes built on the steep hills. You'd have to be in quite good shape to farm that land...whoa! We stopped in each town for a little exploration, drinks, lunch whatever...quite a great way to spend the day which ended, again, laying on the beach massaging our sore muscles.

Headed to Edinburgh via Milan the next day and today have enjoyed a bit of a wander around the city with Lou...I've also enjoyed chatting persistently with Lou (not sure Per knows quite what to do with himself though I'm sure he's thinking that it proves his point that I am my mother's daughter...she can talk like no other! and now he's watching Real Madrid v Barcelona on the tele so he can't hear us yammer on anyway) Today, we headed to the castle, grabbed some fish and chips (they serve it here with peas also), walked up to the top of Arthur's Seat which is a large hill, quite a trek really, in the middle of the city that affords gorgeous panoramic views. Also enjoyed a little beverage in the pub with all the oddly dressed (kilts, floral skirts on men, jerseys, peter pan outfits...you name it) rugby fans. Apparently there's some big tourney on this weekend and all the crazies are out.

Our plan for the evening is to have a fried cheeseburger...yep, you read that right...apparently its the most delicious thing on earth prepared by the Jesus of frying. Lou tells us it has made some rather health conscious folks question why they ever deprived themselves of such a wonder. It's 2 patties of meat and 2 slices of cheese deep fried in batter and comes in a paper bag...that's the simple secret to glory.

Then we head to Liverpool tomorrow. We have greatly enjoyed our time in Edinburgh. It has been so wonderful to see Lou. She is just one of those fantastic people that I truly value in my life and I was quite devastated when I couldn't go to her wedding so it has been so fun to see her and meet her great hubbie.