Siena - A Magical City

I was sad to leave Rome – as in Mykonos, I'd found my groove. But my feet were thrilled! The last two days had been action packed with sightseeing and my feet really hadn't recovered from the very first day let alone the last two. Thankfully, Siena is a small town – there is only so far one can walk!

This was also going to be my first adventure on the regional trains – I can't remember the last time I've been on a train ... will be cool. It turned out to be quite straight forward – one connection and the second train was tiny ... only two cars. The country side was lovely – rolling hills and literally fields full of sun flowers – just beautiful.

I found the local bus at the train station (like a mystery tour going through the bowels of the mall ...) and then the hotel where I'm staying – which I must admit, after a couple of weeks of what has felt like one room apartment living, feels a little strange. I miss my fridge and you know what, I really don't need my room cleaned or my towels changed every day ... and I miss having my windows open and feeling like I'm part of a community ... however before I sound too ungrateful, cooked breakfast will be nice and I have a feeling I will appreciate the air conditioning... Net net, I'm as happy if not happier in 35 euro a night rooms than 65 euro a night hotels – who ever would have thought!

I wasn't sure what to expect as I headed out to explore Siena and find dinner. I'm staying at the edge of the main town. I started walking towards old town (quick pit stop at the grocery store to get the lay of the land – I love grocery stores – somehow they tell you so much about a place) and then I realize I'm in this maze of very narrow streets with tall buildings on either side and it starts to feel incredibly medieval. It is definitely tourist season and there are lemmings everywhere – but it can't take away from the sense of walking through history – it really is quite something, I'm smiling :-)

I found the main square, Piazza del Campo – a really wonderful architectural space – can't call it a square, more like half of an octagon. The flat side has the town hall and then there is open bricked space that slopes up with restaurants along the edges. I found a chair and had a lovely glass of Borolo and some fresh pasta – even with all the other tourists there was something quite peaceful about the place, more civilized somehow than the really touristy squares in Rome. Maybe it was the sun setting on the tower of the town hall but it is just magical.