The bus ride to Siena was obviously very relaxing!
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Day 5: ROME/SIENA
Monday, June 13, 2005
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We had a VERY early wake-up call this morning, but with the help of some girls who had "earned" (by breaking curfew) the privilege of making sure everyone was up and moving, we all were on the bus ready to leave by 5:45 this morning. A breakfast-in-a-bag was waiting for us on the bus. ("Mr. Patten, where's my breakfast?" Reply: "I don't deliver--I'm DiGiorrrrrno!") After finishing off the glazed croissant, toast and jelly, and fruit juice, most of the girls curled up to take a nice nap during the 4-hour trip to Siena in the Tuscany region.
The choir arrived at Siena by 9:40 and were due at the Siena Duomo (cathedral) for a 10:00 mass, but a fast walk got them there in time--except for Alyson, who instead made a trip with her mother (me) and Marie-Agnès to the local hospital to have her foot X-rayed. The three of us took a fast taxi ride through Siena's very narrow cobblestone streets (more like alleys!) that was so wild it felt like an amusement park thrill ride. We spent 5 hours at the hospital, where Alyson was X-rayed and poked and questioned, with the eventual conclusion being "Non è frattura!" (Not broken!) We were told she had a pulled/torn ligament (sprain), so they wrapped her ankle, told us where to buy some crutches in town, and sent us off with a friendly "bye-bye!"--and all for free!
Meanwhile, back in the Siena Duomo, the choir sang 4 or 5 songs during the mass, and the attendance was light because it was a Monday morning mass, but it was still wonderful to have the opportunity to sing in this beautiful cathedral. After the mass, the group was given a walking (hiking?!) tour of Siena by the local guide, Paul. ("But you can call me...St. Paul.") Siena has narrow streets and steep hills, so the group got quite a work-out as they followed "St. Paul" around town. ("We go now always weeth a smiling expression on our faces.") They saw places such as the birthplace of St. Catherine ("Thees ees the birthplace of St. Catherine. Thees ees the place where St. Catherine was born. Right here, the girl named Catherine who would become St. Catherine took her first breath." Uh...got it.) They also went to the large scallop-shaped plaza in the center of Siena, the Piazza del Campo, where the famous Palio festival with daredevil horse races is held twice each summer.
By lunchtime, the chaperoned groups were free spend the afternoon as they wished. Lunch for most was found in unique little restaurants, though some grabbed a quick pizza from vendors and spent the rest of the time shopping. Siena has a different pace than Rome--much more relaxed, proud of old traditions and not as concerned with being modern. The girls enjoyed going in local shops and watching artisans making local crafts such as hand-painted pottery and plates. Several girls also bought delicious cherries at the local fresh market--and proceeded to have a "spit-the-pit" contest. (Girls will be girls.)
We all regrouped to check into the Hotel Jolly and settled into very comfortable and modern accommodations. We enjoyed a delicious dinner at the hotel (the dessert was especially popular, an ice-cream creation called a Vienette), and then everyone headed for their rooms to enjoy a good night's rest after a tiring but memorable day.
The bus ride to Siena was obviously very relaxing!
Lauren and Kasey have fun on the playground while waiting for our Siena guide, Paul.
Alyson looks out over the Tuscan countryside as she waits for her taxi.
The seashell-shaped Piazza del Campo, site of the Palio horse races.
Cheyenne, Ariel, Whitley, and Starla enjoyed dinner
after a day of hiking the streets of Siena.
Dinner was a relaxing time to share stories and laugh together.
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