Wednesday Oct. 10, 2012: Siena, Italy

             I want to talk about two Italian phenomenons I really like. The first is the nurturing manner of Italian women. I mean, I knew Italian mothers and grandmothers were stereotypically concerned with their children and taking care of their family and home, but it’s still surprising to me. Fiorella is always asking if I’m comfortable or hungry or cold and making sure that everything is okay. Yesterday was the ultimate though. I have a problem with bodies especially when there are things wrong with them (I once passed during an x-ray) and  I was listening to a podcast about tumors when it went just a little too far and I decided I needed to sit down or I was gonna fall over in a black haze. So I kind of sat on a wall by the bus stop while praying the bus would just come already please and when it did I immediately slumped into a seat. I had barely closed my eyes when I heard a women ask me if I was feeling okay. Her friend said I looked white. I told them I wasn’t feeling well but I didn’t know what had happened (I did, but I couldn’t explain it in Italian) and they instantly began asking question. Where was I from, could I call a friend, would I be okay? I said I thought I would feel better if I just lay down and sure enough, by the end of the trip, I did. One of the women asked me if I was better and I said yes and thank you. This morning when I rode the bus to Badesse I felt someone tap my shoulder. It was the other woman of the two. Bless her heart she recognized me and asked if I was feeling better. I was so impressed and grateful there are people so nice here so genuinely want to help. Hooray for not being affected by mean world syndrome.

Secondly, I would like to discuss Italians and dogs. Oh my goodness I see the cutest dogs every day. And it makes me so, so happy. Big dogs, small dogs, French bulldogs, Pomeranians, labs, retrievers, Chihuahuas and lots of Jack Russell. Oh they are so cute. When it rains some people put little puppy raincoats on their dogs and when it’s cold they have little sweaters. I mean, come on! How adorable! Our host family has a Jack Russell named Pipo or Mimo (short for Filipo or Domenico). Yep, two names. Mostly just Pipo though. He is dah best. He likes apples and oranges, but not pears and always gives us sad puppy eyes for a bit of meat. He howls literally every single time the nightly news plays this one song/tune/jingle. I have no idea why. One time Giuseppe brought out a pie type thing for dessert and he got so hyper and was hopping all around excitedly (he must really like that stuff). And the other night Amber was sneezing and he just kept jumping and barking at her like somehow she was suddenly a huge threat. On that note, he still barks at us whenever we come home, come downstairs or make any noise upstairs because he is so silly. He thinks the littlest things are big dangers and he, the protector and defender of the home, must make everyone aware of the situation. But he’s just a tiny guy who probably couldn’t seriously attack very much. And Giuseppe just loves him so much. I mean, we all do, but you can tell Pipo and Giuseppe are jus the bestest of buds. I really wish everyone could experience how awesome and ridiculous Pipolino is.

Friday Oct. 12, 1012: Florence, Italy

Last night I learned how to make the shower hot! I don't know if I whined about it enough on this blog, but I'd been going about two weeks without a warm shower. They weren't just lukewarm or chilly, they were frigid showers. Anyway, now they are warm! I don't know what exactly happened that made it so I didn't know how to work the shower or how long I could have been taking warm showers for, but now I know and I so happy!

Today while I was waiting at the bus stop on my way from Badesse to Siena, one of the nice women who was worried about me earlier this week ran down the road. She was all flustered and explained she still needed to buy a bus ticket and asked me if the bus came if I would tell them to wait for her. She was able to come back before the bus came so it was all good, but then she started talking to me. She wanted to make sure I was feeling better. Then she told me I should drink a glass of wine a day. I told her I don't drink alcohol and she was like "Oh, one glass of wine isn't alcohol! A bottle would be, but just one glass of wine, no," and she kind of just laughed at me. Then she told me the Italians use the saying "A glass of wine a day keeps the doctor away." It made me laugh. It also made me feel more accepted than I have before in Italy. She was just talking to me in Italian and she knew I couldn't understand anything, but she still did. It was nice.

Later in the day Amber and I headed off to Florence for the weekend. Since we've made the trip a few times, everything went pretty smoothly. Well, minus the fact we still had to take out luggage to Piazza Gramsci. After our last time doing that we decided never to do it again. We were able to take the bus about halfway, but after that, we were on our own. But when we got to the station there was a bus leaving within 10 minutes and when we got to Florence we got to our hostel without getting lost at all (I know right??!) and the wifi worked and the shower is warm and it's just great.

Saturday Oct. 13, 2012: Florence, Italy

Today began with breakfast by the Arno on the way to some shops near Ponte Vecchio. Pastries here are seriously delicious and I will miss them.

Amber and I stopped at H&M, Zara and a few other shops in the hopes of getting some necessities. I ended up with a lot of not so necessities, but I love them all. Some super cute new heels, a pretty blouse to match my new vintage skirt, a floral scarf and, best of all, an amazing pug shirt I don't fully understand. It says "London: Good times together" on it with an adorable puppy pug. I've never even been to London, but who cares? I love it.

After that we tried to go to the Uffizi, but when we saw the lines we decided maybe we wanted reservations. Too bad because when we came back to the hostel we learned it was too late to make them for Sunday and Monday the museum is closed. Guess we'll have to take another trip to Florence, because I will not come to Italy and not go to the Uffizi. It just won't happen.

In the square at the Uffizi (and generally all over Florence) there are lots of caricaturists and almost every one has a picture of Mr. Bean and I don't know why but it makes me laugh.

After the Uffizi mess we crossed Ponte Vecchio which is really quite pretty mostly because all the shops crowded on it are jewelry stores and the windows glitter in silver, gold and gems. Also, in the middle of the bridge there's a view overlooking the Arno which is just too pretty.

After we went to the Palazzo Pitti, an old mansion bought by the Medici family that now is a museum. It was pretty cool, but I am most excited to see the gardens on Monday. Nevertheless, it was crazy walking through that huge, huge building and thinking people used to live in it.

After the Palazzo Pitti we went to dinner at some random place where they offered to waive our service fee. I don't know if it's just a good sales tactic, but they always make me feel so special when they say "Oh, for you..." That how I felt when I got a 15 euro poster for 8 euro because I was a student and nice (also I drive a hard bargain). Anyway, we got a 4 cheese maccheroni and bolognese spaghetti. Both were delicious.

Sunday Oct. 14, 2012: Florence, Italy

Planning for church outside of Siena is always such a hassle, but this morning it was worth it. After a real, real good cream filled croissant, Amber and I waited for the bus which was about a minute walk from the hostel. Even though we missed our stop, we didn't veer too far off the path and found the street the church was supposed to be on. For some reason the street number wasn't listed on the Meetinghouse Locator, so after that we were on our own. We wandered down a the street and just when I started to wonder if something had gone wrong, we saw the church sign and I was so relieved. Church was good and the people were really nice and I love being able to come to chapels and feel the peace the gospel brings.

After church we went back to the hostel and I took a nap that was much too long. I blame it on the fact that I've been struggling with being sick. After that break we got some lunch and headed to the Duomo. It was beautiful. Unfortunately the main entryway said the cathedral had been closed early for tourist, but we happened to find a door for a service and went in that way. Inside there were choirs singing and more people that I've ever seen in a service and I really enjoyed it. We stayed there for awhile just to absorb some of the Duomo and the Catholic experience.

After the Duomo we went to a hill across the Arno where you can see all of Florence. It was a semi-significant hike, but it was totally worth it. It was beautiful. We hung out there and listened to some lady playing songs and watching all the Italians with their precious dogs. I loved it.

After that experience we headed home after becoming exhausted again. Now I am clean and relaxed and very happy, so it's been a good day.