Shay’s Blog

Buona Sera

Today was a fun day. We awoke to yet another awful breakfast and journeyed forth to find Sita Bus Company to travel to Siena. It was hard to find since three different people would only point in a general direction somewhere to the right of the train station. However, we did find it. And just in time. We took off immediately on a local bus that showed us gorgeous countryside and farmland. I never thought I’d see so many crops on slanted land. Interesting. Anyway, as we arrived in Siena we saw a McDonald’s gas station that I found completely fascinating simply due to hunger. I guess small countrysides can’t even escape the chain. Getting off the bus, found a small Irish Pub to have lunch. Then we walked from one end of the hill stricken city to the other. It was lovely in Piazza Del Campo ( http://www.greatbuildings.com/buildings/Piazza_del_Campo.html) where people actually go to just sit and be. In that same square is the Fontana Gaia (the Gay Fountain) ( http://www.travel-pictures-gallery.com/imagepagesien0001.html). It seemed to be a perfect name as the men of Italy passed with their man bags, gelled hair, and Feragamo shoes. As we sat and talked I began to dub these men as “the Gay Fountaineers” if only because of their lavish passing.

Upon trying to return to Florence via the bus station, we were met with the you’re-American-and-I-don’t-want-to-help-you attitudes from the bus drivers. I have to say…that never gets old!

Once we made it back to Florence, we rushed through dinner so that we could visit the Galleria dll’Academia (http://www.weekendafirenze.com/museidet/accademia_e.htm ). It looks like a hole in the wall and doesn’t bare a striking name, but the ultimate wonder inside was tremendous. When you enter, you see just a room with a replica of a sculpture we’d already seen (not important enough to name in this story). We glance at the few painting adorning the walls but decide quickly, as it is close to the gallery’s closing, to move on to try and find the main attraction of such a hole in the wall. As you turn the corner into the next room you see a few unfinished sculptures by this guy named Michelangelo. Then, at the end of the hall, in an alcove, standing 17 feet tall is Michelangelo’s David ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michelangelo%27s_David).

It is extraordinary. Absolutely perfect. It is completely carved from one piece of marble and is utterly flawless. In his hands he holds either end of the slingshot that is strewn across his back. The same slingshot in which he was to have slayed Goliath. Masterful.

Well, I leave you now, as this has been long enough. (Tom has dubbed this email a monster.) Tomorrow we leave for Rome to rest without the distraction of having to see great works of great men before returning to the dreadfully cold New York.

Blessings

Ciao

Sharon