Pension Arcobaleno Lazise

For the last couple weeks my Italian culture class has been on and off again because my professor was hospitalized with pneumonia. This week she finally resumed lectures, however we are in a different class room that is literally right across from her apartment so she doesn't have to walk a long way in the cold. And it is getting really cold in Siena right now.

This, unfortunately, means ...

... fresh at the table. Everyone got their own cup of olive oil to dip their bread or cut vegetables in. Then we ate homemade soup or lentils or baked chicken with herbs or cooked fennel, etc. etc. You get the point basically that lunch was my favorite part of the day and I stuffed my face feeling like I was in Italian heaven. I felt so healthy though despite the excess of carbs because we had fresh salad every day as well and Val d'Orcia red wine made ...

11.28.09 A Much Nicer Day Trip To Siena

[First, a shout-out to our dear dad Perce, who is recovering from surgery today in Sydney. We love you and are sending you and Jan our thoughts and prayers!]

Murray and I are feeling much better today, thank you very much, so we are headed out today to attempt another day trip from Florence that, hopefully, will be an improvement over yesterday's quicky sicky day trip to Pisa!

After ...

Siena photos here:
http://www.facebook.com/album. php?aid=164853&id=613699523&l=d 7d2db6b42

Thursday caught a bus to Siena with Nonie and Kerrin.
The Duomo there is one of the best and most beautiful churches I've seen inside and out - and I've seen more than enough churches to last ...

Italy Day 13

We got up for breakfast and then off to the Riders meeting. Many riders were either tired or not feeling well so a hand full decided not to ride. We joined the club but decided to take the bus into Siena. On the ride in we missed our bus stop and ended up a few km out of town. We walked back into town taking in the neighborhoods on the way. Just before entering the old city walls we stopped for pizza then started to explore old Siena. Our first stop was to the ...

... suits looking after him and as he was rushing to the secret service standard black car he almost ran into Colin. We were then informed as it was the start of Culture week that some of the museums were for free including the gallery accademia (which houses the real David) so we went there expecting a massive line but it only took us 20 mins to get in FOR FREE yay we love FREE things its good that we got it for free tho ...

So, now I'm in Florence. I was a bit worried at first about the hotel I booked (online from Venice), as it doesn't have a normal hotel entrance. You have to be buzzed in, like for apartments you see in American movies. But the inside is nice enough, and my room has a double bed, so it isn't too bad. The shower is really weird, though. There's no....umm ...

... thought, oh he'll be pretty cool looking. But I had no idea...he is amazing, and I can't beleive Mich. sculpted him out of a "flawed" peice of marble no one else wanted. Also, fun fact. These girls we met who are studying in Siena told us there is a possible graffitti or signature of Michelangelo that was JUST FOUND on David's calve! Cool! They don't even know enough about it yet to publish anything or write about it, but the girl's teacher was part of the research for it ...

... but I am pretty sure you will die from starvation first. They don't have a lot of restaurants. We found one that was heaven sent though! The ambiance was adorable...dimmly lit with golden painted walls, and candles. The waiters and manager was so nice to us, the manager gave us free bread...and the good stuff! It was warm, and had herbs on it and olive oil, the even tasted a little like popcorn. They also brought out free lemon liqour for us, they said it was on the house! We had great ...

... all I have is 10 bucks, take it or leave it!" I am walking towards the exit to talk to the ticket Natzi and I run into the big black dude that got us all in the club. I asked him for his help and he said sorry, you have to pay. The big black guy was walking towards the exit as someone was calling his name. I just followed closely behind him in the crowd. One of his friends was so drunk he lost his ticket and passed out in the back. The bigger black guy that got me in was yelling ...