I finally arrived in Siena after two very long days of travel in four different modes of transportation: airplane, train, bus, and car.
I live with a cute little Italian lady whom we call "Nonna" (grandmother in English). She lives in a beautiful little house in the countryside ten minutes outside Siena that has a garden filled with fresh vegetables and herbs, and a terrace where she keeps honeybees. She has a cat named Topi ("Mouse") and makes amazing food.
The first day here we took the bus into the city of Siena where we walked around and visited the various piazzas and cathedrals, window shopped, and ate lunch--amazing panini with prosciutto and local cheeses. It started to rain and we found cover under some scaffolding while we ate our gelati.
Today we had our first day of school at the Institute of Dante Alighieri, in a beautiful beautiful building that must be at least a couple hundred years old. There are people here studying Italian from all over the world: Israel, Japan, France, Australia, Switzerland... The other students in my class had to guess where I was from and I loved that not one of them guessed America--they said Switzerland, France, and Spain. It made me happy to know that I don't stick out as an American tourist.
We had school all morning and into the early afternoon, and after we walked around the city some more, found the where we will be attending church, and bought some things at the supermercato. We took the bus and walked home and ate another delicious dinner: this time gnocchi, a caprese salad, and fresh fruit. After dinner we watched an Italian game show with nonna's grandson, Tomas, who is 16 and adorable and very funny to listen to. Tomorrow we have school again, but not before we visit the local farmer's market in Piazza Gramschi.
I already love it here--it's by far the most beautiful place in the world and I can't wait to see more.
A piu' tardi!
-Alexa
Waiting for the bus in Roma
Outskirts of Roma from the bus
Siena-Piazza del Campo from San Domenico
Santa Maria della Scala
San Domenico
Mini-monsoon
Courtyard of a palazzo
"Cattivissimo Me"
Yeah, I live here. NBD.
About 50 yards from our casa--bellissima
I love this! I can't believe it's only your first couple of days and you're already having amazing adventures!! Brett and I miss you girl but I'm glad you're living the dream :)
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness! LOVE LOVE this!!! I hope that you enjoy every moment! Lucky girl! Enjoy. post lots of pictures
ReplyDeleteI can I just say how Jealous I am!!!!!!!!!!! I am so glad that you got to do this before you settle down and have other responsibilities...because I can still go to Italia...but it won't be the same! Sounds so beautiful and something like from a movie!! like letters to Juliet...have you seen it?! Because that is what I think of by what you tell me...so much fun! Keep us posted!
ReplyDeleteI am more jealous than I could even say. I can't wait to go back to Europe. It sounds like you are having such an amazing time and I am soo proud of you! This is going to be something that you treasure your entire life. You're amazing, Alexa! I already can't wait for your next post. (=
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