June 6, 2011 - Florence to Siena

Laura didn't sleep very well, so we slept in and didn't get out of the hotel until 10:00.  Laura showered night before, Mark couldn't this morning because water heater broke and only cold water.  Washed hair in sink and headed to the merkato centrale for a few minutes - indoor market that sells produce, food, etc.  Was neat but didn't stay long.  Went outside to the leather market.  Very fun and neat - bartered prices on several scarves, bracelets, and a tie for me.  Then we headed to a sandwich shop for some delicious cheap sandwiches.  Then we headed back to the hotel so we could use the free internet before we had to catch our 1:10 train to Siena.  We were almost back to the hotel when I spotted a little sandwich shop with a tv camera inside filming a tiny loud Italian girl. I asked Laura if that was Snooki from Jersey Shore and it was.  We stood outside and caught some up close pics of her and j-wow.  We walked towards our hotel and so did they so we got a picture of Laura with the two "celebs" in the background.
Arrived in Siena at 2:30.  Took bus to stop near our hotel and then had to walk about 5 blocks to hotel.  Hotel really neat - lots of marble floors and decorated ceilings and balconies.  Went to look in San Domingo church near our hotel.  St Catherine in the arch angel of Siena and the church has a bronze bust of her with her actual finger in a display case, then in a little chapel, there is her actual head on display - a little weird.  Next we headed to the duomo.  3 euro entry - very neat.  Lots of decorated marble floors depicting scenes in the bible.  Neat statues and paintings - huge ceilings.  Then grabbed some gelato nearby - pineapple and strawberry!
Then we went and sat in the il campo - the towns main square.  People watched for about 15 minutes then headed back.  Laura stopped in some stores on the way.  Tried to buy stamps at the post office but failed, then grabbed snacks at the grocery.  Sat on the hotels back patio waiting until the restaurants here open at 7 or 7:30!  Went to a neat outdoor seating restaurant on a very steep street.  The tables and chairs all have very different lengths to account for the hill.  The they sat another couple at our table from us - not sure if they were a "couple" or not.  Jessica and Patrick were fun to talk to and compare stories.  Then we headed home to drink wine on the back patio of the hotel.  They are playing a soccer game at the stadium right behind our hotel!