Travel Pig

Sad to see this cute family leave. It was wonderful getting to know them.Loved x answering questions from the past. I happen we continue a closeness.

I didn’t get to sleep until 4am with help from part of an Ambien. When I woke up they were pretty niches packed.After they left I decided to get some Euros and buy a bracelet that I liked.

Then I just meandered around, stopping at shops that I had seen along our walks.

We have been staying at Palazzo Celsi Pollini, it was built in 1525! The rain blew open some doors, well, we opened them a few days ago, but that was my story. We met the owner last night just above the garden area that we were having hors d’oeuvres on an old table and chairs. It was a hot beautiful night.

It rained pretty hard for about 20 minutes. we arrived at San Paola Bar about 5:15. Our table was taken but we had a different one for a bit and then moved to ours. Once we got drinks we figured it out. They weren’t letting people in the center area because the race was postponed. I looked at the track. There were still some puddles. We slowly made our way back to the flat. Jenny and I stopped for more food and checked out some jewelry and Mark and the girls had some gelato. Apps on the abandoned balcony, dinner a movie wine and Lemoncello

Lots of parades of the different contradas. At the end of the day they must have been so sweaty and wet from the rain. Many wore wigs.

It rained pretty hard for about 20 minutes. we arrived at San Paola Bar about 5:15. Our table was taken but we had a different one for a bit and then moved to ours. Once we got drinks we figured it out. They weren’t letting people in the center area because the race was postponed. I looked at the track. There were still so puddles. We slowly made our way back to the flat. Jenny and ai stopped fro more food and checked out some jewelry and Mark and the girls had some gelato. Apps on the abandoned balcony, dinner a movie wine and Lemoncello

Lots of parades of the different contrada.

Back to the flat. The big day is tomorrow! We had a beautiful thunder and lightning storm in the evening.

Espresso for breakfast and then off to explore. We stopped first at a favorite butcher shop for sandwiches. The owner is a little grumpy like the soup nazi.

Then on to another favorite place, the balcony that overlooks The Campo!

Next we went to the Duomo. I have never seen it so crowded.

Back to the flat for a nap . On the way we picked our favorite contrada. There are 17. Only 10 will be in the race.

My nephew and family picked me up at the airport and we drove to the gorgeous hill top town of Siena. We were lucky to find parking pretty easily outside the walls of the city. Our flat was easily located. How did we get around without cell phones and GPS?

It’s a beautiful flat in an old cathedral. Two bedrooms and very spacious. The kitchen is nice for breakfasts.

The flat is near the main Duomo, or church. It is my favorite interior of any church I have been inside. No air conditioning in the flat but it was comfortable with fans. That evening we walked around. The city is very walkable and just delivery vehicles are allowed inside. Everyone is getting ready for the Il Palio. The campo has the track filled in with dirt. We found a place to eat dinner, stopped off for a few drinks on the way back to the flat and then to bed.