14 towers and a... wedding?

The next day we got back on SR2, but we headed north this time. The towns of San Gimignano and Volterra were our next destinations.

San Gimignano was a large town. It had 4 huge public parking lots outside of the city walls, and 3 of the 4 were full by 10AM. The 4th and last one was so far out and down the hill that they had an elevator to get weary visitors half way up to town. Once inside the old 13th century fortified walls, the street were full of tourist shops and restaurants. We saw a Mexican (not Spanish) and a Chinese restaurant within the first 2 blocks. That was an obvious indication that this town was all for the tourists and tour groups.

It was unbearably hot in the old town square. Actually it's the old town Triangle. Think the old town designers of San Gimignano forgot one side? The center had many gelato places. Each calling itself "the best gelato in the world". A few had mist machines, which all they did were turned the humidity higher. Street performers competed around every corner. Mercifully we found the alley that led to the perimeter of town, off the beaten track. Then we were treated to awesome scenery.

Saw glimpses of normal life...

We took a rest in the shade of the old church, watched the local band setting up to perform and wondered how anyone could play under such relentless sun and oppressive heat.  Took them a long time, too long for them to play so we decided to move on to Volterra.

The drive to Volterra was wonderful. The scenery and terrain was very similar to Northern California. Except there were not many cars. :) We arrived at Volterra, parked outside the walls again, had to pay for it this time, and began our trek into town.

Did I say the whole friggin area was hilly?

We finally found our way on the fringe of the center of town. It was getting close to 2PM so S was worried, rightfully, that we needed to find a restaurant for lunch. We lucked out to a last table at a cute restaurant on the side of the town church. We had a fabulous meal, right next to the locals as they were singing Italian songs.

We wandered through town after lunch. I love this town. Not large and touristy as SG, not small as Pienza or SQd'O. Not loud nor too quiet. As we approached the lookout point, we saw some very pretty young ladies, in beautiful formal dresses walking along while having their pictures taken. Then a few graceful and beautiful older women with nice dresses and corsages, walking up into town. I told S they were going to a wedding and I was determined to crash it. In my shorts and sweaty and smelly from the heat. Luckily for them, or me... we could never find where they went. I'm still upset about not being in a nice formal Italian wedding.

Volterra, I will see you again, and that wedding, here I come...