Siena

Okay, I loved yesterday, but I love today, too. And let me give a nod again to Rick Steves. His 2008 Italy book mentions a little balcony over the IL Campo in Siena at a bar (just 8 seats) and we found it and sat there for a while this afternoon. Just watching the people was so much fun. Some students from San Diego who are studying in Florence were also on the balcony. It was fun to speak English with people who understood us. (We have spoken plenty of English to people who do not understand us)

The walk today was as wonderful as has been every day. It took us through woods and along gravel roads and through hamlets. It was about 3 hours. We escaped the rain until the very end. Then, our rep., Ingo, rescued us and drove us into Siena. He just happened to see us as he was transporting our luggage. It was a nice treat. We had expected to catch a bus.

Siena is amazing, as is every place we have been. We walked all over the city today, sat on that balcony, walked past (but will visit tomorrow) the cathedral (doumo).

Our major walking is over. We think we may miss big walks. Well, Betsy thinks that. She is asleep right now, by the way. I am thinking that a few days without the need to walk to 10 to 15 miles might be fun.

Oh, here is one myth shattered. I was told Europe did not have bugs. I can not imagine why I would believe such a thing, but I did. Italy, however, has redbugs, as we call them in the south. I know because I have a case of them on both ankles. I guess I picked them up walking through the high grass trying to miss the mud yesterday. I wore shorts, while Betsy wore long pants.

It was funny trying to get the medicine at the pharmacy today, where no one spoke English. I had to act out what I needed. I am still blushing.

Kim