Swompdonkey

After we walked the girls to the bus stop and wished them well on their way to Rome, Emily and I kinda just wandered the streets of this incredible town. Whereas Florence seems to be more of a Renaissance town, Siena is pure medieval, from its the crenelated tower of its townhall, to the historic banners of its 9 subdivisions. Later, we talked and ate the leftovers from lunch for supper as it rained for the first time since my first night in Italy... pretty incredible luck actually!

Around 9 pm, we heard a terrific commotion in the street outside and rushed out of our hotel, le tre donzelle ("the three damsels"-- I noted the connection to our three american friends that we had met a few hours before and found it a bit spooky.

The people of Siena were celebrating the fact that their hardluck football team had not been "relegated" and so were still a part of Italy's first division. It was organized pandemonium. There was singing and bands playing as the horde carried distinctive black and white banners through the medieval streets to the piazza in the centre of town.

Yesterday, we took it easy, seeing the amazing Gothic Cathedral and a couple of other landmarks, but otherwise resting. Emily and I have both caught nasty colds. Luckily, she is a nurse, and has been keeping me doped up with a steady stream of illegal medication (joking). In spite of our sorry state, we got dressed up and went for a great meal at a fantastic restaurant. I am getting spoiled by all this fantastic Italian food! Today, we are going to do a bit more sightseeing, and then it is off to Venice? Why Venice all of a sudden? Do you even have to ask?... it is Venice!