Listmania

So yes, we are back. I fully intended to post at least something while we were in Italy or, at the very least, right when I got back, but we didn't really have much in the way of internet access in Italy and since we returned I've still been mentally on vacation. Which, apparently, doesn't include communication with the outside world. Who knew?

So, instead of doing a day-by-day rundown of the trip (I only enjoy torturing my five readers so much), I've decided to do one of the few things I do best: make lists. Very low-level Bloom's taxonomy lists, enhanced with my awesome (by which I mean not awesome at all) photography skills. All the pictures are also posted here.

The Good - Where We Stayed

• The agriturismo ("family-run farm house that triples as a vineyard and a quasi-bed and breakfast") where we stayed. The only people there were N, A and I, a couple from Missouri, and another three people from Virginia Beach, all of whom were interesting and nice and fun and wonderful. I don't know if it was pity or genuine liking or a combination of both, but they didn't shun us, even when N and A slipped into their homosexual incest joke repertoire. In fact, they showered us with gifts, including delicious salads, appetizers, and bottles of lemoncello. Two dogs and two cats also lived at the farm, which added like 10 billion awesomeness points by default. Plus, it had a bidet.
  

• The quasi-tour company through which N's mom very kindly booked the vacation. They arranged the flights, accommodations, rental car and an orientation, and then offered several optional tour-y things (lunches, walks, etc.) that you could either do or not do. Very low key and I can't imagine visiting Italy for the first time without them.
  
• Not having constant, reliable, and/or speedy internet access. I finished two books, several magazines, stared vacantly out the window and played Mad Libs. I haven't been that mentally productive since my family got AOL.
• The place was amazing. Surrounded by vineyards and meadows and horses and rolling hills and unpaved roads and other natural pleasantries. The nearest towns (Montalcino and Buonconvento) were only accessible through a half-hour grueling up-hill walk or a ten-minute drive. The walk was beautiful but entailed fighting with the region's bugs which, unfettered by pesticides and other such chemicals, manage to grow to at least three times their democracy-loving American comrades. The drive was quick and terrifying. Italian drivers take tail-gating and passing to new levels.