Day 12: Sienna

We are becoming more like the locals, with a late night last night and big sleep in today.  We didn't surface until 9.30 AM, and finally got going around 11 AM.  And it felt good. On to the cathedral today which was spectacular inside. We paid for a guided tour which made everything so much more meaningful and impressive. The guide was very authentic (Italian) which was most pleasing. Our pass also gave us a "backstage" tour of the cathedral ceiling and outside along the ridge of the building. It was just as impressive from a height and the view was gorgeous. My dear friend Katey asked me to climb the tower in the centre of town and to take a picture for her for old times sake. Sorry Katey, you will have to settle for a Birdseye view from the cathedral instead. My back won't permit it after yesterday's trauma. Off for some more walking through the town, we soon stumbled upon a restaurant that looked cheap, cheerful and authentic. And it didn't disappoint. I had my first Gnocchi Gorgonzola and Rick had a fabulous bistecca with porcini. All the meals were beautiful as were the desserts, panacotta among others. Off in search of some gelato for the kids, we walked the backstreets and just enjoyed the slow stroll. On the way home we stumbled across some young men practicing the flag waving from the medevial horse race, in unicen. The kids sat and watched while I tended to Zachary's first ever bleeding nose. He was very brave and very hot! We stopped on some steps just across from the Garbins and had Camparis and then beer from the Campari bottles. How cultured. We called it an early night and headed home for a light dinner in front of the TV watching Mr Bean until very late. The kids were rolling with laughter and it was one of those glorious family moments that I will remember forever (in our stinking hot apartment). A good day for the familia.