Tuesday, June 22, 2010

Siena: awesome despite the rain

I've been in Siena since Saturday, and now it's Tuesday. It's a wonderful city, but I know that I barely know it-- like a slug to salt, it recoils when touched by rain. I've only explored a little bit, and what I've seen is wonderful. Here I can understand about 90% of things said on the street, if I focus my ears. It's a cool feeling, that.

But first, my host family, which is awesome. I live about a block and a half from the Piazza del Campo, which is the center of the city. We are the Civetta contrada, which means Owl. Our colors are red and black striped with white. I am surrounded by owls. And pigeons, but that's another thing entirely.
The view from my desk:

I live on the very top floor of the building, with a terrazza off one end that is pretty much completely private. My room is small but perfect, with everything that I'd need. And my host family is wonderful and so welcoming.

I just wish it would be truly sunny out soon-- I want to explore the city, but don't really have a desire to if it's this ugly out. Tomorrow there's a clothing market in one of the piazzas, and there we'll see what the weather is like.
Some more views of Siena:

il Torre del Mangia, on the Piazza del Campo

La Piazza del Campo, taken while I was enjoying a Peach-mango gelato


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