Bunking with Nuns

Buongiorno from Siena (from the 'Grace of God Internet Center')!

We have happily left the sweltering heat (and, let's be honest, disappointment) of Florence for the same heat in Siena. Fortunately, Siena has been worth the hype. Public spaces are available for sitting, coffee costs what it should, and there's no theft warning in Rick Steves' book. It is a much more pleasant city. Next time, we're proposing to set up in Siena as our home base, so that we can avoid time in Florence (where we only really need to go back to see The David again).

The David, by the way, is incredible. We were unable to take a picture to share, since we follow the rules most of the time (not that it stopped most other people). But you all know what he looks like, and a picture just isn't as impressive as the real thing.

As you can see from the title of this entry, we're staying in a convent here in Siena. It's not just any convent, though, since Saint Catherine used to live here. Her actual head is preserved in the chapel next door, so we're planning to drop by. The accommodations are much better than the youth hostels we've been staying in (we finally get to have a 'matrimonial' bed, as the nuns say, instead of the gender-segregated bunks of the youth hostels).

Last night we were serenaded to sleep by the victory celebrations of the Goose neighborhood. Siena has something twice a year called 'Il Palio' (Google it for more info), and Goose won. Siena is divided into 17 neighborhoods, each of which has their own mascot. We're in Goose, and they were having a party to celebrate their championship. The music was similar to a Gregorian chant, which echoed off the brick walls of the neighborhood, sounding like a men's chorus rehearsing in a chapel. Definitely a cool memory. Pictures to come next time.

Hope all is well with all of you,

N & W