(27-April) Siena
(27-April) Happy Birthday - Off to Siena
Today we're taking a train ride to Siena. It's going to be a lovely shiny day here as I celebrate my 48th birthday. Thanks to all my dear friends for posting lovely birthday wishes on Facebook, I even got one from The Who, thanks guys. Stephani got me a beach cruiser and presented me with the bell, which I will be using on this trip when we encounter slow walkers.
We took our time getting up, ate our usual at Degl' Innocenti bar and headed across the street to the train station.
When we arrived in Italy, they instructed us to fill out the dates of travel on our rail pass. we were talked into a six ride pass, and we're under the impression we could use all six rides. Not so, apparently you must write in all dates you intend to travel by train, so the sixth ride was wasted and we had to pay 30 euro cash for this round trip. Thanks AAA travel services for that screw up
We met a nice couple from Davis while standing in line. We told them all about Burano when they told us they plan to go to Venice from here. So far though, Florence has far exceeded our expectations.
As we clack along to Siena, stopping at different stations we can see a cross-section of Italian life. Just now I spotted an Italian woman rolling her own cigarettes. Graffiti on every wall. Hundreds of herb gardens near the tracks growing fresh veggies, lots of little vineyards and small cars.
But aboard the train we discovered perhaps the most unusual. Despite having purchased these tickets, we were fined 5 euro for not having the tickets stamped before we boarded, something we were both unaware of. Live and learn I suppose, but it kind of leaves a bit of a sour taste in your mouth when it happens. The conductor did not speak English and pointed up to a sign on the train, which we of course missed, and apparently one must stamp one's own ticket in the station before running for the train.
So we pulled into Siena and took a short bus ride up to the main circle, Il Campo, a massive open area surrounded by cafes and towering old hotels. While we waited for our food a guy with a guitar serenaded us whether we wanted it or not, then came around a few moments later with a tambourine to collect payment. A similar thing happened in Florence the other day. I wonder if I could get away with that back home?
It's extremely hot today, but a nice breeze hits us at the cafe and Stephani enjoys the Italian take on Iced Tea, her first in a week. I'd say the mixture here is 95% tourists. There are several stunning cathedrals to look at, and lots of winding lanes leading to the smell of fresh focaccia bread, or a refreshing Gelato. After a while though, the heat started to get to both of us so we headed for the bus station and on to the train back to Florence. This time we remembered to punch our ticket, and watched a fellow passenger get hit with that fine.
We showered, packed a suitcase full of dirty clothes, and YES, did laundry on my birthday.. But Stephani treated me to a nice dinner afterwords at Bondi, our favorite spot on this trip so far. Lovely tall cold beer at the end of a hot day tasted very very good. So, friends, the journey continues. Enjoying it? We have only received a couple of comments, are any family members reading?
Tomorrow we check out from Camere Dei Conti, and head down to Naples where we board a ferry to take us to Ischia. Sounds mahvelous!
Drop us a comment oy!
Today we're taking a train ride to Siena. It's going to be a lovely shiny day here as I celebrate my 48th birthday. Thanks to all my dear friends for posting lovely birthday wishes on Facebook, I even got one from The Who, thanks guys. Stephani got me a beach cruiser and presented me with the bell, which I will be using on this trip when we encounter slow walkers.
We took our time getting up, ate our usual at Degl' Innocenti bar and headed across the street to the train station.
 |
| The Usual |
We met a nice couple from Davis while standing in line. We told them all about Burano when they told us they plan to go to Venice from here. So far though, Florence has far exceeded our expectations.
As we clack along to Siena, stopping at different stations we can see a cross-section of Italian life. Just now I spotted an Italian woman rolling her own cigarettes. Graffiti on every wall. Hundreds of herb gardens near the tracks growing fresh veggies, lots of little vineyards and small cars.
 |
| Tuscan Vegetable Garden |
 |
| Graffiti at Florence |
But aboard the train we discovered perhaps the most unusual. Despite having purchased these tickets, we were fined 5 euro for not having the tickets stamped before we boarded, something we were both unaware of. Live and learn I suppose, but it kind of leaves a bit of a sour taste in your mouth when it happens. The conductor did not speak English and pointed up to a sign on the train, which we of course missed, and apparently one must stamp one's own ticket in the station before running for the train.
So we pulled into Siena and took a short bus ride up to the main circle, Il Campo, a massive open area surrounded by cafes and towering old hotels. While we waited for our food a guy with a guitar serenaded us whether we wanted it or not, then came around a few moments later with a tambourine to collect payment. A similar thing happened in Florence the other day. I wonder if I could get away with that back home?
 |
| Il Campo at Sienna, Italy |
It's extremely hot today, but a nice breeze hits us at the cafe and Stephani enjoys the Italian take on Iced Tea, her first in a week. I'd say the mixture here is 95% tourists. There are several stunning cathedrals to look at, and lots of winding lanes leading to the smell of fresh focaccia bread, or a refreshing Gelato. After a while though, the heat started to get to both of us so we headed for the bus station and on to the train back to Florence. This time we remembered to punch our ticket, and watched a fellow passenger get hit with that fine.
We showered, packed a suitcase full of dirty clothes, and YES, did laundry on my birthday.. But Stephani treated me to a nice dinner afterwords at Bondi, our favorite spot on this trip so far. Lovely tall cold beer at the end of a hot day tasted very very good. So, friends, the journey continues. Enjoying it? We have only received a couple of comments, are any family members reading?
Tomorrow we check out from Camere Dei Conti, and head down to Naples where we board a ferry to take us to Ischia. Sounds mahvelous!
Drop us a comment oy!
Comments
So glad you're enjoying it, although yes, it is frustrating to have to pay surcharges. It must be heavily enforced now- they seemed much more lenient when we were there and made some mistakes with our Eurail passes.
Kath and I always hiked or rode bikes so no penalties other than sore muscles. So, you and Steph rent some bikes and show all of us your stuff, so to speak.
"drafts" on my phone and I don't know what to do with them!! I really enjoy your observations.
Anyway once again "Buon Compleanno"