Today we experienced the sunshine and lively spirit of Siena. Wednesdays become host to a weekly market held in the center of Siena. The booths march on for blocks, filled with clothes, shoes, kitchen ware, linens, underwear, scarves and just about anything you might need. This was definitely a local hot spot not aimed at the tourists but rather people out doing there weekly shopping. It was overflowing with people so you had to gift your way down the street or even up close enough to see what they were selling. A bargain is a bargain in any language and people were out to find theirs. We needed a break from all that excitement so we headed up to the duomo and toured the inside of the church, museums, old hospital and baptistry. The church was unreal - so intricately carved and decorated. In the museum we could hike up to the top for a postcard type view of the city. It as amazing and we could see for miles.
We ate gelato in the square and observed to scene of tourists and locals alike. A pleasant day in Siena.
Mom leaves tomorrow and it is beginning to sink in more that I am actually staying here, living, studying, cooking for myself ...here. I am nervous, anxious and filled with excitement about what is to come.
Ciao for now!
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Ah so much to tell and it is a bit hard to type on my little itouch but I have at least managed to find free wifi in the hotel we're staying at in siena. Yes i finally made it to siena and of already feels like I've been gone so long. Let's back track. Mom and I left portland on Sunday the 21st. We arrived totally jet lagged the next day in Nice, France. It was cold, rainy and we are tired and lugging suitcases down tiny uneven streets looking quite like bewildered tourists. We found our hotel right on the main street overlooking the sea. We however did not recieve the sea view room and since we knew no french we were stuck in a very nice room overlooking the street where the construction workers woke us up every morning promptly at 8. But alas it was still good. The first night we ate crepes for dinner and went to bed early. The next morning brought sunshine and after our capucinos we strolled the shops and hiked up to see the views and threw pebbles into the sea as we watched the sunset. There was a long strand where couples meandered, tour groups gathered and roller bladers showcased their skills. We enjoyed the show. Apparently there is a great nightlife in Nice but we never found it - perhaps we were still in off season.
The next day we took the train from Nice to Ventimiglia and then to Milan. Unfortunately we spent more time in the Milan train station than expected due to the strike. All tuned out well we got to Stresa, walked to our hotel, couldn't find it but luckily the hotel manager ran out intothe square to find us. Took the smallest elevator known to man to our room. The next day we awoke to the church bells. This was a very sleepy town - we were literally the only ones in town and most restaurants were not even open for the season yet. But we found a place although we didn't spend much time in Stresa, toured the islands and took a train down to the cinque terre in search of sun...and people.
We arrived in Monterosso in the afternoon and headed to old town. Apparently the thing to do in cinque terre is to rent a room from a local..so that is what we did. We met GianLuigi who owns a wine bar and he took us and our luggage up the small hill to a beautiful room with a gorgeous sea view. The only problem was the small "10 minute" walk to the town plus the 175 stairs to the room. So we got our exercise and a great view. The next day we took the train to the next town in the cinque (5) terre - Vernazza. Sat by the harbor, ate gelato and watched the waves break over the rocks. Had amazing tiramisu for dessert that night. Our next day we toured the other towns - Riomaggiore, Manarola, and Corniglia. All small, beautiful pictureesque villages built right on the coast with coastal walking paths in between which at one time was the only way of reaching the villages by land. By now we were feelin quite in the know as we were on first name basis with many of the locals. It being prior to tourist season - beginning after easter- we had a special look into the lives if these people. Only 1000 people live in the whole town and have for centuries. We had champagne at the wine bar with the old town men (like in their 80s) and drinks with the owner of Mikeys cantina. It was wonderfully fun.
Yesterday took the train to Florence for one night- marveled at the statues, architecture and fashionistas. Today we shopped throgh the market place in Florence and then hopped in a bus to Siena. It was raining today bit the city still amazes me. It is beautiful but not overwhelmingly big, the people are friendly and the food is excellent. I cannot wait to see where I will be living and who I will meet! It is all so exciting!
Ciao for now!
The next day we took the train from Nice to Ventimiglia and then to Milan. Unfortunately we spent more time in the Milan train station than expected due to the strike. All tuned out well we got to Stresa, walked to our hotel, couldn't find it but luckily the hotel manager ran out intothe square to find us. Took the smallest elevator known to man to our room. The next day we awoke to the church bells. This was a very sleepy town - we were literally the only ones in town and most restaurants were not even open for the season yet. But we found a place although we didn't spend much time in Stresa, toured the islands and took a train down to the cinque terre in search of sun...and people.
We arrived in Monterosso in the afternoon and headed to old town. Apparently the thing to do in cinque terre is to rent a room from a local..so that is what we did. We met GianLuigi who owns a wine bar and he took us and our luggage up the small hill to a beautiful room with a gorgeous sea view. The only problem was the small "10 minute" walk to the town plus the 175 stairs to the room. So we got our exercise and a great view. The next day we took the train to the next town in the cinque (5) terre - Vernazza. Sat by the harbor, ate gelato and watched the waves break over the rocks. Had amazing tiramisu for dessert that night. Our next day we toured the other towns - Riomaggiore, Manarola, and Corniglia. All small, beautiful pictureesque villages built right on the coast with coastal walking paths in between which at one time was the only way of reaching the villages by land. By now we were feelin quite in the know as we were on first name basis with many of the locals. It being prior to tourist season - beginning after easter- we had a special look into the lives if these people. Only 1000 people live in the whole town and have for centuries. We had champagne at the wine bar with the old town men (like in their 80s) and drinks with the owner of Mikeys cantina. It was wonderfully fun.
Yesterday took the train to Florence for one night- marveled at the statues, architecture and fashionistas. Today we shopped throgh the market place in Florence and then hopped in a bus to Siena. It was raining today bit the city still amazes me. It is beautiful but not overwhelmingly big, the people are friendly and the food is excellent. I cannot wait to see where I will be living and who I will meet! It is all so exciting!
Ciao for now!
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Just the beginning
Sitting here in the Portland airport awaiting our flight.I can't believe today has finally come. It's a plan that's been in the works for so long and now I really will be gone for four whole months. I'm leaving my home, friends, boyfriend, and family to embark on my next adventure. Not to mention other life comforts - computer, phone, normal clothes- time to be adventurous!
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