August 8th, a Double feature; Post Two: Driving and Signs in Tuscany!

Hello Everybody!

As promised, we have an observation from our various travels by car thus far through Tuscany! So buckle in and take a ride with us!

POST TWO:  What to Expect or Not Expect While Driving Through Tuscany.

      First of all, I must say, I must have been Italian in another life! I love driving these roads and completely understand the methods and fun to be had while in the driver's seat! Woohoo!
In the past week, we have driven in, around and through Volterra. I should have been suspicious when Bill kept offering to drive. "Oh honey, you have a cold, let me drive while you rest and take in the architecture and scenery..." " Yeah, right!" At first, I thought "okay, I do need the rest..." But then, I shook my head and got a reality check! Bill was trying to preserve his nerves. I thought, "What? a stick shift! The very type of vehicle I learned to drive with at age 15! Time for me to drive!" So, the first time out, I took the kids to town to get water and "snacks". Yes, you guessed it, water, red wine and junky stuff. The water for us all on these hot, Tuscan, summer days. The red wine, well...for me of course, oh and Bill. And the junky snacks... to bribe the kids from complaining about my driving when we returned home. Sounds like a modern day Grimm's fairy tale gone wrong. But nope...I am a mother after all.

TILT YOUR HEAD TO THE RIGHT, I HAVE NOT LEARNED TO ROTATE PICTURES YET, he he-  this stickshift made me so happy to see it!

     Well, the driving was exhilarating! Shifting and moving quickly through hard, narrow turns hoping no one was on the other side as the roads are blind to oncoming traffic at times. Sometimes there are mirrors put up to prevent accidents... But, that adds to the adventure! Driving reminded me of my younger days...coming from a full stop on a hill, having nerves while carefully releasing the clutch and feeling the pull of the gear as the gas propels the car forward...yeah! I have not lost my touch! Then the downhshifting to slow as I hug the literally hairpin-like turns. Then, gravity takes over... the kids start exclaiming a "wheee" or "whooooaa" as we maneuver down hill into left then right turns in concession. Such a thrill! Always, before we know it, we are home with huge smiles on our faces...and well deserved ones for sure!
     So, today, I thought I would take you on a tour of the signs that are posted along the roads and elsewhere. OH, one last thing before I forget, basic driving rules: Go fast or get out of the way. When driving, keep an eye on your rear view mirror as that car that was far away two seconds ago may be on your bumper with high beams blasting telling you to move or get out of the way. And expect drivers to time your rate of speed if you are a pedestrian or driver. You must be consistent and move yourself OR get out of the way. I knew when understood that the universe likes speed that it was referring to driving in Italy among other things, of course.  So, well take a look! These are some signs on the road to Siena and San Gimignano. Enjoy the scenery!

I am sure these signs make perfect sense to you right? Some are in English to make tourists feel at ease.

Then there are the more obscure:

 

I love the exclamation point!My kinda sign! It is a caution sign that an exit is ahead and driving 50 KPH would not hurt either.

 

This is not a ribbon in the sky but a warning saying you are about to hit some gnarly hairpin turns so be ready, look alive, and heck, enjoy it! The blue sign is mentioning the A-1, a highway that is much quicker than that country back road you just turned onto knucklehead....

 

Then, there are the distractions: pastoral views of vineyards, olive groves and plowed fields to remind you that you are not visiting any of them right now with hungry, anxious kids in the backseat...

The last one, I threw in for good measure, Liam really likes to have fun finding the store surveillance cameras, never a dull moment!

 You tell me- anyone from home who can tell me what it means tell me I will bring you home a souvenir!

 One of my favorite signs, it communicates that there is a community with children... Personally, I think the kids are running for their lives to avoid fast drivers.  We loved the sign so much, we made our life-like version for you:

notice the visible fear in their eyes?

This one was taken at a gas station- figured it out:

Car Wash

Mechanic

Oil Change

Last are my favorites:

You can turn left toward Siena or be distracted on the way there and go to Colle Val D'Elsa, a location found on many wine bottles OR you could go right to Cecina, the beach with lovely waves on the Mediterranean Sea or be distracted and head to Volterra, the ancient salt mecca of all of Europe and Alabaster craftsmanship... the decisions and distractions are all yours!

This takes the cake as we have been spoiled living in the  tropics too long. DOES THAT SAY SLIPPERY, HEAVY RAIN, AND EESH SNOW? PLEASE NO!

Hope you enjoyed the tour!

Pura Dolce Vita!