CHAPTER TWENTY
From their villa outside of Rome to Tuscany was three and a half hours of driving through narrow roads, small Italian villages and towns, and some of the most magnificent scenery any of them had ever seen before.
They stopped for coffee and a full breakfast when they reached their halfway point. It took forever for everyone to get their food, but in the end, they realized they were in no hurry. Grateful that Enzo was with them, he navigated the Italian ordering system, half the time sounding as if he were angry, the other half laughing with the servers.
“Enzo, we’re so glad you came with us,” said Mary.
“Grazi, bella. I am glad I am here as well. You are wonderful people,” he smiled. “If I may suggest an unscheduled stop, I think you would enjoy visiting Siena. It will delay us a few hours, but you will not regret it.”
“I’m with the expert,” smiled Bull.
“ Senor Bull,” smiled Enzo, “there is nothing that the Italians love more than a good song. Will you grace all the people here at the restaurant?”
Bull stared at the dozens of people seated beneath the olive trees eating their breakfast. Many were locals, but there were more tourists as well. He looked at Lily who only shrugged, smiling at her husband.
“I don’t know a lot of Italian songs, but how about ‘Funicular Up, Funicular Down’?” he smiled at the young man.
“This is a favorite!” he said excitedly. “Every Italian knows this song. Please, senor.”
Bull nodded, happy to give the young man something. As he started the song, the waiters, chefs, and passersby all stopped, encircling their group. When the chorus started, Bull waved for everyone to join in. The entire team clapped, singing along with him. Even Trak.
The roar of applause echoed throughout the restaurant, inside and out, as people begged for another song. Bull decided to sing one more, one that Amanda wrote for them. He had no idea it was a big hit in Italy as well. That’s when people recognized the voice and who he was.
Flooded with requests for autographs and photos, he graciously complied. Something he’d never done before.
On their way to Siena, Bull turned to Enzo, grinning.
“You planned that,” he smirked.
“I had hoped you would grace us with a song,” he said, smiling at the older man. “Your music has carried me through many tough times. When my parents died, and I was left with Uncle Aldo, I listened to your music with Amanda. It made my heart better.”
“That makes it all worthwhile, Enzo. Thank you for telling me that.” Lily gripped his hand, kissing his cheek.
“One of the millions of reasons that I love you.”
Siena turned out to be even more breathtaking than the photos. Once again, Enzo proved to be resourceful and the best guide they could possibly have.
“Siena is in the Tuscany region,” said Enzo. “What distinguishes it are the medieval brick buildings. The central square has an unusual fan-shape. You can see Piazza del Campo, which is the site of the Palazzo Pubblico, the Gothic town hall, and Torre del Mangia, a slender 14th-century tower where you can see for miles from the tower’s crown.
“Siena is unique in that it has seventeen historic districts that extend from the piazza. Like other Tuscan hill towns, it was settled in the time of the Etruscans , between 900 and 400 BC. According to local legend, Siena was founded by Senius and Aschius , two sons of Remus and, thus nephews of Romulus , after whom Rome was named.
“At the end of the third century, the city was Christianized by Sant'Ansano , known as the ‘Baptizer of the Sienese,’ who was punished by the Roman authorities governing Siena with the test of fire and boiling oil, imprisonment, and finally beheading.”
“A little much, but I appreciate the creativity,” said Trak. Lauren sneered at him, shaking her head. “Sorry, little one.”
“Enzo, I don’t see a lot of industry here. What is it that keeps the city alive?” asked Kari.
“Oh, there is much here. Unlike many large cities, we don’t build smokey factories or allow for big, unattractive signs. The main activities are tourism, services, agriculture, handicrafts, and light industry.
“In the past, it was agriculture that comprised almost one hundred companies. There is little manufacturing in the city, with the exception of one of our great specialties, particularly during the holidays. Do you know this, Senora Sara?”
“Panforte!” she smiled.
“Yes. It is very popular here.” They walked for more than an hour as Enzo shared his love of his country and the people. Luckily for them, he also loved their food and loved sharing it with the team. “Come. We will have our meal here in Siena and then say farewell.” Alec pushed to the front of the group, Tailor hot on his heels.
“I’m following the little man.”