Traveling, like life, is about managing expectations and being flexible.
This trip has been no exception.
Good News:
Today I traveled to San Gimignano and Siena deep in the heart of Tuscany.
My expectations were truly blown away. Siena is a rich and historical town that has preserved many of its great traditions. With horse races that represent all 10 neighborhoods of the city (its called Il Palio) on the horizon the city was abuzz with who would win, or more importantly, how the riders would plot to throw the victory. The horses are the real winners however, the riders ride bareback and most fall, while the horses are free to run - and even get blesssed in Catherine of Siena’s home church (which too was magnificent, with both her shrunken head and right thumb on display). I can go on about her and Siena - they were both quite fascinating.
San Gimignano was very majestic - that’s all I can really say. There were a handful of wealthy families in town that built very tall towers connected to their homes for both observation and bragging rights. It is a tad off the beaten path and looks as if its only used for tourist purposes which takes away from a bit of the real interest for me. Still it was very novel and the pictures from the tallest tower I climbed are breathtaking.
Bad news:
I thought I was getting bit by mosquitos from an earlier night I had left my windows open. I was wrong. My room and bed was rampant with dust mites. I guess this is even good news, because I went around for almost a day thinking I had bed bugs. Let me tell you - there’s nothing like a nursery rhyme that comes back to literally bite you in the booty. Prognosis here is still unknown, looks like we might get a new apartment. Not sure if they’re going to pro-rate my apartment for the days I won’t be able to stay there.
Good news:
I will be on a train to Napoli early tomorrow and plan to spend some of the weekend there and Pompeii, while mostly staying on Sorrento and Capri. If things work out well I’ll be able to go skin diving off the cliffs and in the blue coves and reefs that have made that area legendary.
For a little over a week in I’m fully functioning here, despite some serious hiccups and hope that all is well back home in the states. I wish I had better computer access at times, but I’m also thankful that I’m being immersed in the wonderful opportunity that’s before my eyes.
Ciao ciao.
