Absolutely loved Sienna(population around 53,000)………one of my favourites!    Once again not an easy place to park the car in, which  begs the question of what happens when it’s tourist season – a nightmare I shall avoid!   Wonderful city to walk around in once you’ve found that parking spot and walked inside old Sienna, the walled city.  Apparently it was the first European city to eliminate automobile traffic from its main square in 1966 and would love to see that happen in the Spring Garden Road area in Halifax as it has been talked about for a long time.  In the interest of time,  and not boring you,  I will encourage you to google Sienna if you haven’t been there as it’s so beautiful, refreshing and fun!  These bronze figures are everywhere and the one above was titled ‘civil happiness – land of the suns’.  Obvious what the one below represents, or is it?

Marilyn and I took advantage of the opportunity to do downward dog while a few interested individuals looked at us curiously! There was a photo contest called ‘fat ladies’ – didn’t enter as I was afraid all that gelato would help me win!!!

Piazza del Campo is one of the most famous squares in the world and you only have to walk around it to understand why!  At the top of the square is the Fonte Gaia(fountain of joy) named for the general joy that accompanied its inauguration in 1348.  Every year on July 2 and Aug. 16 there is the famous Palio horse race here where Sienna’s 17 neighborhoods are represented.  Apparently the city erupts with competition and fun where ten of the neighborhoods are represented during days of trial races – google Siena’s Palio for the full story and pictures to match! Enjoyed a cappucino here watching tourists watching other tourists and of course children feeding the pigeons.   Speaking of pigeons,  Jim alerted us that he read if one craps on your head you should let it harden because if you try and wipe it off then it’s all over your hair.    Fortunately, and luckily, none of us have had that experience yet although there have been a few close calls!

Had to take this picture because as soon as I saw it I thought of you Deanne!

This reminded me of a few women I know but wouldn’t dare say who in print!

Jim in one of the many wonderful little alleyways where Marilyn and I sat for a glass of wine!    They must have known our history because look at the bottle they brought to the table.