Today we went to Sienna. After some illegal driving through the streets of the walled
city, we got rid of the car and walked into town down streets like this
that had adornments like these
on their walls.
Next we walked to the Duomo seeing first the baptistery
where ceiling pictures like this
can be taken if you have this
for help. Of course, the real thing
comes out better.
We paid our 1000 lire and listened to the commentary
at high speed. Then we decided to help them
and refill their holy water urn.
Next we decided to do fancy photography framing people in the archway
since it took so long to ascend the stairway. We entered through the holy door
and were careful to obey the rules
though we did take pictures of the phone booths
outside the gift shop where we got this
prized specimen. After a few final people pictures at the Duomo
it was time for lunch.
On the way to lunch we ran in to a parade of the winners of the Palio
on Sunday. Here's our gang at lunch
Jane
Lucy
Sarah
Suzanne (and Jane)
Benjamin
and David
The water bottle was beautiful
though the label was impossible to remove. The food was good and good looking with
pizza margherita
pizza with artichoke hearts
proscuito e melone
bruschetta
spaghetti pomodoro
The espresso benefited from this sugar
and we captured the waiters
including ours
Lucy made a heart from the water bottle ring
to expand upon her noodle heart of yesterday.
Next we went to the bell tower
and climbed the first 94 steps to this lady
who led us to believe that there were 493 steps in all (actually there were only 400).
When we got near the top, we were rewarded with this view of the first bell
and of the city
and of Suzanne
We climbed on
to reach the real top
from which we could see the restaurant where we ate lunch
and more views of the city
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the fountain
and dead birds
Lucy and Jane took this picture of David
from the top bell
We then did the long walk down
Our last stop in Sienna was at Nannini
for gelato.
Of course we had to take a few more pictures of the tower we'd climbed
as we left town for the drive to Greve.
While lost in Greve, we found what we had been looking for for the last few days
a laundry that would wash our clothes for 12,000 lire for 5 kg.
This helped us find our way
so that Jane
and Benjamin
could have a swim
with Suzanne
while Sarah finished her book
We then drove up the hill for dinner at this place
where fortunately we had brought no dogs along
so we could be seated
as the sun began to set
Everyone was there
Suzanne
Benjamin
Jan
Jan
Sarah
and Jane
Sarah took pictures of the table trying to get rainbows
alternating with pictures of the skyline as the sun set
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