On Friday, May 17 Sue took us on another day trip to two
beautiful little towns, Siena and San Gimignano. I had visited both places previously as a student
but I was very excited to return.
The weather was forecasted to be rainy but we were pretty lucky; it only rained when we were eating
lunch. By the time we arrived at
San Gimignano, it was overcast but perfect for taking pictures.
The Eustrcians originally founded Siena because it is built
on a hill around 1 BC (city’s built by rivers were founded by Romans). All the streets in Siena are hilly but
they all lead down to the main Piazza- Piazza del Compo. This is a huge Piazza because every
year there are horse races that actually take place in the Piazza. The town is divided into different
guilds and a horse represents each guild. Apparently, it is a very big deal if your horse wins-
there is crying and celebrating for days.
I would love to attend but Sue (our director) said it’s so crazy and
packed, it’s only fun if you are given tickets to sit around the edges. If not, everyone just huddles together
in the middle. Maybe one day I
will go.
In the morning, we toured Siena’s cathedral. It was just as beautiful as I
remembered: pale pink and yellow marble on the outside, striking black and
white stripped marble on the inside.
Their library’s ceiling is phenomenal. We also toured the museum that houses the original stained
glass window and statues from the church.
After this, we ate lunch and I was lucky enough to enjoy one
of my favorite pasta dishes ever- pici with a simple pomodoro sauce. I might have to attempt to make it when
I return home to the states, if I am not sick of pasta by then!
We then boarded the busses for San Gimignano. I was so excited to go back not only
because it is the cutest little Tuscan town, but because one of their gelato
shops won the esteemed honor of “Worlds Best Gelato” a few years ago. It was delicious gelato too- I had
white chocolate, pistachio, and raspberry with rosemary. Then we walked around the town and I
was completely awe struck at how beautiful Tuscany is in the summer- rolling green hills, red terracotta
roofs, vineyards, puffy clouds- I think I may have to print a picture of it onto a
canvas to stare at every day.
Tuscany truly is a special place.
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