After our fabulous day in Assisi and the relaxing day at sea, we spent Wednesday in Siena. While it took a while to actually *get* to Siena (driving and navigating in Italy is a sport in and of itself…lines on the road really are just a sugguestion) we parked and had a great time! We first went into the duomo, which was originally intended to be built as the biggest and greatet in all of Italy (maybe even Europe) but then they realized they didnt have the foundations and the groundspace to do it, and gave up halfway. The actual duomo is stunning, and there are half walls of where they wanted to expand. While we were feeling a little bit over-cathedraled by this point in the trip, this duomo was one for the books. There was art everywhere, by everyone! Michelangelo, Bernini, Pastorini, Francesco, Donatello, Martini, Memmi, and more. It was so amazing, I cant even describe it. You could spend all day in there and still not see all there is to see. Very awe inspiring. We had Rick Steves book with us, so it made the duomo even more cool, because it gave such rich history of the place, making it even cooler than before! After the duomo, we went and had another amazing lunch, more spaghetti and pizza for Aaron and I! Then we went to the crypts of the duomo and then to the baptistry, The art within these places is killer!! Then we went to the Piazza del Campo, which is the main square in Siena, and where they hold Il Palio, the huge horse race every year on August 16th, in accordance with the Assumption of Mary. The race is only 1 minute long, but almost 60,000 people flood to the Piazza to cheer on the raqcers. Of the 17 Contrade’s (neighborhoods) in Siena, there are 10 racing each year, and so only 1/17th of the group gets excited at the conculsion of the race! Ever seen James Bond Quantum of Solace? The very beginning, where Bond pops up in the middle of the street during a horse race? Thats Il Palio! We sat in the square (seriously, people lay on the cement like its a beach) and just enjoyed our time.
The next two days, we spent at sea, just enjoying our last days of sun and fun in the villa. We soaked up as much Italy as possible! We also made several more hikes up to Cortona, eating so much delicious food and drinking farrrrr too much wine and prosecco. On Friday, our last official day, my mom, dad, and I went up to the very top of the hill, near the Under The Tuscan Sun house, and we went into St Margherita church, where you could go into all the parts of it (most are roped off so I cant sit in the fun chairs or anything) so I was SUPER stoked to be able to finally do that! Yes, I am crazy. Then we went up to the monestary, which was like a 15 minute drive down a 1 lane road in semi rain and kind of creepy, but sooo worth it! It was a gorgeous monestary, built into the hills in the 13th century. St Francis (Assisi, remember him?) stayed there 3 times, and declared his last will there as well. We could walk into wher ehe stayed, which they have preserved well, and the original cloths that they used to cover the windows were still in the windows. I kept to their complete silence request as much as possible. In my defense, mom talked first. 🙂 It was so peaceful and moving. Really a highlight of the trip.
Finally, we spent our last night eating the best meal I have ever eaten (fondue with truffles, various pastas,steak with grapes and bacon, and tiramissu) and drinking the wine we had left over. It was a great end to a great vacation!
Keeping Up With The Burms 