The Stacey Sizzle: Day 6: Siena & Civita

After 5 days of running like crazy all over Italy (which I, personally, don't mind...it was fun), we decided to slow down on day 6. We actually slept in a little...I did my hair which, for some reason, always does crazy things in foreign countries. These last 3 days in general were a little more relaxed and we didn't take as many pictures. While I'm thinking of it, let me pass on some advice. If you ever go to Italy, take lots of videos! We only have a few and wish we had more. Whenever we watch them, we are immediately transported back.

Siena

Siena is famous for The Palio - a horse race that takes place in this piazza (Piazza del Campo). The 17 neighborhoods that make up Siena, compete fiercely against each other and apparently the tension of these divided loyalties can be felt year round. It's not like Siena is a big city. In America, it would probably be like your block completing against the next block over. Anyway, it is a fascinating tradition and I wish we could have been there in August when it takes place. You should watch this video to see how it all goes down. It is awesome (and kind of funny). I didn't capture the full beauty of Siena in my pictures, but this video is beautiful to watch.

There is a university in Siena so there were lots of young people around, couples making out, etc. Piazza del Campo felt a bit like a hangout. So we sat, ate good food, and people watched.

I was telling Andrew how I wished I knew how to put some of the pictures together to make a panoramic shot. He was post call and suffering from sleep-deprivation but said, "I bet I could do it". Whamo! Is there anything this guy can't do?

I sent him to bed before he could add the finishing touches, but I still think it's a pretty good workup. I could have spent all day (with the right food, of course) lounging in this piazza.

We got tickets to tour the inside of the Duomo, Baptistry, and Crypt, including a trip up to the top.

I'm not crazy about the strong Gothic influence, but you can't help but be amazed by the detail and ornateness (word?).

This was from inside the crypt that was excavated and opened to the public around 2003 (probably from 1270). I don't think Andrew was allowed to take this picture so enjoy everyone!

From up top

Civita

After taking our time in Siena, we made our way to Civita, a relatively unknown place in the middle of absolutely nowhere. This is probably a good time to explain that Andrew is an AVID and CRAZY trip planner. He LOVES planning vacations. He probably has at least 5 vacations planned in his head right now that we have no immediate plans to go on. Reading about far-off places is something he does to relax (when he should be studying)...that, and epsn.com.

It goes without saying that Andrew spent hours upon hours planning every detail of our trip and making sure there were practically no loose ends. He also is a bit of a "trip perfectionist" and can't miss out on anything. He must read about every possibility, research to make sure he's getting the best deal, and investigate all the things that "no one else knows about". So I wasn't all that surprised when he was all giddy about a place called Civita. A place NOT in Fodor's or well-known to most travelers (it's not even in wikipedia!). Apparently Rick Steves raved about it, so we ventured deep into the countryside to find this artist's dream.

At dusk, we finally arrived.

Rick Steves said to approach this hill town with, "the same respect and sensitivity you would a dying relative, because - in a sense- that's Civita".

You can see that it is eroding on all sides and the only way to enter the town is by a narrow footbridge. Mules that used to carry supplies across the bridge have been replaced by vespas. No cars. It is the antithesis of the modern world, and all the more charming for it.

The 12th century Romanesque arch. The rock wall made by Etruscans 2,500 years ago.

We heard differing reports about how many people actually live here...it is likely around 15. There are quite a few people who come for the summer and have vacation homes. But it felt quiet and sleepy and we saw only two people as we walked along the cobblestone streets. We told them how we were starving and asked if there was anywhere to eat (expecting the answer to be no). The woman (a permanent resident) walked into this square (below) and shouted at an open window to another woman standing in her kitchen (it was a bed & breakfast I later learned). She asked if the kitchen was open and the woman at the b&b told us to come on up.

Yum!

I felt bad that we were the only people there and this woman opened up her kitchen just to cook us dinner. But it was also really cool to have the place all to ourselves.