Weekend adventure to Siena

View from a random street in Siena

 Bonjorno amice,
sorry it's taken me so long to write again. I like to put pictures up with my posts and since my pictures are all on an external hard drive (since I have a trillion) I do this when loading pictures. The pictures I am loading are from Siena! We went on Saturday with our great neighbors Shannon and Elena. It was a great day adventure. We took the train which was so cheap and easy, only about an hour and a half trip. When we arrived, we probably looked clueless on how to get from the train station to the main part of the city. We had an idea but it's not very clear, so we finally made it to a bus. Those drivers are so insane I almost fell over multiple times or since I was by the door, almost flew out. (let me just say everyone here either in car, truck, bus, bike, vespa...they are all insane and they WILL run you over). Immediately when we got off in the center, I loved the city, it is truly medieval. The architecture is fabulous and very different from Florence.

interior of Siena Cathedral

 We knew we wanted do three things; climb up the bell tower, see the civic museum and Siena Cathedral. We went to the cathedral first. Let me tell you, my mind is still in shock. The amount of detail in every part is something that I doubt we will ever see done in the future. The facade was a hint of what was inside (see picture) the stripes are dizzying and the patterns on the floor were just as intense. It's funny how when we study these in art history, they are just another picture but when you actually see them it becomes something different. That's why I love my art history class here so far, the first three lessons are on site. Last week was San Miniato this week is Santa Maria Novella. As our professor said to Rebekah today "We just have too much art" as she was overwhelmed telling people about everything they saw even if it wasn't related to the class.
   So after the cathedral we made our way to find lunch. Quite an experience. We walked in thinking we would get a menu but he said or we think he said, the menu is outside so we had to get back up and figure out what we wanted. In Siena, it is not as common to find English speakers or translated menus so I just picked something. It was delicious but I still have no idea what it was. (see mom I'm not that picky!) After a great lunch we wandered around just looking at anything and everything. It's a city that doesn't have a lot "to do" but there is a lot to see. By the time we found our way back to the tower area (where they have the famous horse races) they CLOSED the tower....dumb drizzling rain. So we decided we'd come back in a few weeks and do both since those tickets were cheaper together.
With slightly bummed attitudes we decided we needed some coffee and gelato. We stumbled into this fabulous place where we were graced with someone who knew english. Therefore I decided to go for ordering a cappucino with Bailey's because I would have no idea how to explain that in Italian. Well, even though this guy knew english he still gave me the funniest look thinking I was insane for asking for such a thing. Finally he was like okay we will try it for you. Then I said, no you should try it. He still thinks i'm a lunatic but I bet one day when he is working by himself he will secretly try it and think i'm a genius! We finally headed back, then the party began! Neighbor pasta night! We each made a different pasta and vegetable. oh and wine...duh. I bought Asti for them to try for dessert (anyone who wants a good sweet wine should try it). It was a fabulous day and night.

Our comfort.

Well I am about to be late for my Web Design class that I have at 6pm on Mondays....such an odd time. It throws me off. I will write again soon.
Ciao. Ti amo.
oh and Happy Valentine's day
Lauren