San Marco Siena

... could use for our research papers on Italian culture. All in all, it made me think how that was exactly how I would like my apartment to be when I get my own one. Tea set and all. I've become surprisingly addicted to tea since I came here. The English variety, of course, with milk and sugar, but I'm still rather surprised that I've come to enjoy tea so much in Italy. Rather than, say, coffee.

... walk with us. He never barked just wanted to be pet and cuddle. When I left I was sad to say goodbye to him and he ran up behind me and jumped up and put his paws around my waist like a real hug, I almost cried. This place felt like home by the end and leaving really hurt because I'd never felt such an intense connection to one place before. Vilmo drove me to the station and I got teary as he said bye. I hope to return there someday and help pick olives again!

... alone weren’t enough of a draw, the cathedral’s high archways and spectacular dome are supported by really interesting, black-and-white-striped marbled columns that were knock-your-socks-off striking and very unique to any other cathedral we’ve seen. (I likened the interior to “elegant Dr. Suess,” although I’m not yet sure that works!). Also, through a door on the north side, we toured the church’s hidden ...

un autre jour, une autre destination! Aujourd'hui, nous somme parties pour Siene. Arrive a siene, nous avons traverse la ville pour y trouver un bureau d'information touristique. une fois la carte de la vile en main, nous somme aller dinner dans un resto, un peu a l'ecart des sites touristiques. Comme dans tout les restorant italien, il y ...

We can't decide Florence or Siena. Siena would make a change, but Florence is cheaper.
Ahh cheaper!

So this is how we found our way on a day trip to Siena.

Oh yes there is a big rivalry between the two each competing for the tourist dollar. One with its Renaissance the other with its Gothic architecture. We are choosing to reserve our judgements until later.

Siena is one of Italy's most enchanting cities with its medieval centre and its small puzzle of lanes & ...

... itself is divided up into 17 different contrada (or neighborhoods) each with their own mascot, colors and flag. I, for instance, live in Drago or the dragon contrada and our colors are red and green.

All the Sienese have a lot of pride in their contrada and are very loyal. This is most obviously shown in the Annual horse race that takes place during summer called The Palio. Each contrada spends crazy amounts of money on the horse and jockey that they enter into the two ...

Siena eased us gently back into sight-seeing mode. This medieval city was Florence's big rival in the middle ages, but was virtually wiped out by the plague. Happily, that means that this little town retains its winding streets and cobblestone charm. There aren't many specific sights to see there, so we were able to check them off our list easily and spend time just people watching. On Saturday after checking into our B&B we took a short walk around and joined the ...

I have now moved in to my own apartment just outside one of the gates leading into Siena "Porta Camollia" which is in the N|W section of the city. I would have preferred to be in the older section of the city and they don't understand why I frefer old to new. My landlord showed me around the unit and was proud topoint out the panoramic view from the balcony which looks north to the new hospital, over a main highway and railway lines with a small ...

... the whole leg of the pig hanging from big hooks on the ceiling. And not just one or two legs, like 30. It is crazy! But it tastes amazing! They gave us some samples of the prucutto (aged ham) and wine.... yum! It was really neat. Now I am back in Florence and trying to decided what to do tonight. I am having a bit of a debate. Since I ended up paying 30 more euro than I expected in Venice, and then it would cost me 15 ...

... hinting at death and dismemberment if you are caught in a car without a permit, or a bloody good excuse, for being in a non-vehicular zone. Trembling, we continue onwards. We see plenty of other vehicles, but they are mostly delivery vans and official cars. Incredibly, we find The Hotel Duomo, a classy establishment in a converted palazzo near the cathedral. It is one of the only hotels actually within the city. It's a masterful choice ...