Today was Siena, another charming part of Tuscany filled with shops, history, CHURCHES, museums, and sweet people. We took the express bus and a little over an hour later arrived near the plaza which is the center focus of the town. On the way we visited with a Canadian lady who, after seeing Under the Tuscan Sun six times and buying the movie, sold everything and moved here in January! Like I said, I can believe it and another time would have been tempted to do the same but no longer. A kind gentleman with a little dog in tow led us to the town square and from there we visited the Duomno and did some sightseeing. Of course we visited nearly every small shop along the way. Visiting with the older shopkeepers is always interesting; many speak a bit of broken English and with the hand signs and pointing, sales are made. We found Mac, Evan, and Brandon's gifts and Bridget steered me away from some ideas I had for Scott. (Bart Simpson T-shirt where he is depicted as the Blues Brothers.) We then dined for lunch on the square and had, without a doubt, the second most wonderful meal. We actually found a "bar" as they are called (cafe al fresco) that offered salad. Bridget had, of course, Brunschetta with tomatoes (marvelous, crisp with a garlic spread and toasted) along with an interesting soup that she loved...bread such as in French Onion soup, a beef broth, vegetables, beans, and ???. I had (after stealing a slice of Brunschetta) the best salad with oil and vinegar dressing, sliced apples, and walnuts on a bed of lettuce with Roma tomatoes....Marvelous...Bellisimo! No room for desert but I did enjoy the best coffee since arriving here.
We then headed back towards the bus station, shopping along the way again, but this time only window shopping. The return bus was not an express so we were able to view the countryside. In Italy all the land serves a purpose and actually resembles a patchwork quilt when you view it. There are vineyards, wooded areas left to rest for a season, gardens, etc.; many are surrounded by more Cyprus trees than I have ever seen. I was told Italy is the land of Cyprus trees and you'll find many lining the roadsides. Today I saw small farms with elderly workers in the fields and small groups working in vineyards.
Also, Saturday must be laundry day. I can't wait to post the pictures of freshly washed clothes hanging off banisters, out windows, and on make-shift clothes lines! It looked like a scene from a movie. All the way back to Florence I took photos of the Italian people just "being"...they are a lovely bunch for certain.
We finished the day walking back to the hotel via the outdoor markets which line the narrow streets in front of the shops. Many of the stands are merely an extension of the actual shop. We returned to Bridget's favorite leather shop and she picked her gift....her trip gift, her next birthday gift, and her next Christmas gift all in one. I also finished my shopping for family and friends. We have visited this shop a number of times and were befriended by the young Romanian woman working there. It was great fun shopping, laughing, and telling stories. While there a young man approached us and began talking with Bridget. We learned he was there on vacation with his father and that he is a med student at USC in Columbia, S.C. Small world.

And so, we are off to sleep as we have an early wake-up call and walk to the terminal for our return flight.

Be safe and we can't wait to see and talk with all of you!