Happy half-year birthday sweet Joseph! We awoke to cloudy skies and the rain began to fall outside our window. We took our time getting ready for our day and then began to explore these memorable streets. We took our cafe and pastry and Amanda navigated the streets like she had never left. Our first stop was Santa Maria della Scala, which was the first hospital serving the sick and poor. It was one of the most amazing museum's I have ever seen.
Mom has passed the keyboard over to me...
It is the end of our first full day here in Siena and what a day it was. We had an amazing visit to Santa Maria della Scala - truly one of my favorite museums in the world. It was such a relaxing visit - we had the entire museum to ourselves and moved at our own pace. We lit candles for Megan & Nanny in St. Catherine's Chapel and enjoyed the silence and solitude that the museum affords you.
We finished up and then crossed the piazza to purchase our tickets for the Duomo. We went inside and Mom's face was incredible. She was overwhelmed with the beauty of this holy space and I was emotional being back in this space that has come to mean so much to me over the years. It was incredible. Our little traveling companion did a great job admiring the lights and colors from the comfort of his stroller. Such a trooper!
We had a yummy light lunch at San Desiderio, a great cafe not far from the Duomo. We did a little shopping, including a trip into the new (to me) supermarket that is in the center of town. This did NOT exist when I lived her (and would have been so convenient if it had). We picked up a few odds & ends (thankfully we didn't have a cart) and then headed home to change & feed Joseph. Mom went to have her hair done while I met Charlotte for a bit of shopping at the Benetton sale. If I'm not careful, the next thing I'll be buying is another suitcase!!!
Charlotte was happy to join us for the evening, so we took a traditional passagiata after meeting Mom and found a few things to add to our collection. We showed off our fun apartment to Charlotte before she joined us for dinner at David's favorite - Papei!
We had a wonderful dinner - bruschetta pomodori, crostone di funghi, pici cacio e pepe, vitello per mama and vino rosso. Catching up with Charlotte over dinner was so wonderful - it is as if no time has passed at all. She is truly one of my best friends and I love her dearly. It was so nice to have a bit of time together.
Now we are back in our apartment, munching on a few goodies we picked up in our travels today. You can't be in Siena without palle di riso, ricciarelli e cantucci! Joseph is tucked into bed and I figure that Mom & I aren't far behind him.
Oh how I wish I could transport Ed & my boys to Siena right now so we could stay for a week. I've not had nearly enough time in this amazing home away from home. Being back on the streets, breathing in the Sienese air, and passing time in this beautiful city bring me right back to the year that I had here that changed my entire life.
We are looking forward to another wonderful day tomorrow exploring a few more of Siena's treasures.
Sounds simply marvelous. So thrilled to be reading about your adventure!
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