Siena here we come. Woke up in our rustic farmhouse and chowed down on the provisions we picked up the night before from our drive through the Twilight Zone. Fresh eggs, local bread and jam, cheese, etc. Made amends with our Google lady and she directed us towards Siena, and she kindly did not direct us on a white road either. Nice and sunny too. Life is good. We arrived within a 1/2 hour or so to the outskirts of town. It's important not to drive right into the historical center (centro storico) as there are parking restrictions and cameras that take photos that eventually make to the rental cars companies, and then finally to you along with a nasty fine. Between Gaye's navigating and my trusty Rick Steves book, we found a parking area by the soccer stadium. Entering into the old part of town we first encounter San Domenico, a big Dominican church that primarily focuses on St. Catherine. She was a local gal, a simple, unschooled but mysteriously devout soul who had convinced the pope to return from France to Rome. The churches here are big on relics, which are little body parts of whatever saint they are honouring. They display them in small glass/gold/silver urns. As this church is focused on St. Catherine, I got to see her thumb. Yup. Also her skull was covered with a clay mask, covering her whole skull with the exception of her teeth. Saw that too.

Moving onwards we walked through the streets and shops. Beth's birthday is coming up on the 25th and I suggested she pick out a new purse. I know, it would be better to surprise her with a present but it's kind of hard to do that on this trip. So with renewed vigour off we set. Found a shop with beautiful leather purses, all made here in Tuscany. She found the style she liked, but not in the right colour. There is another shop in town with the same product line, but unfortunately they don't have it either. We learn they have another shop in neighbouring San Gimignano. Looks like another road trip coming up.

We had lunch sitting at an outside ristorante by Il Campo, the large piazza in the centre of town. This is where twice a year Siena stages the Palio, a horse race. Each one of the neighbourhoods sponsors a horse and rider and they race around the perimeter of the piazza. It's quite something to see apparently, check it out on YouTube. After that we poked around a bit more, and then suddenly realized it was gelato time. Found the best one according to Tripadvisor, had my favorite of course - Pistacchio!

Decided to fit in another site, Siena's magnificent Duomo. See pics attached. Also got to see some Bernini and Michelangelo statues too, plus the amazingly intricate marble floor with various biblical scenes inlaid. Couldn't quite figure them all out but they sure looked interesting. Called it a day and we went back to our Tuscan pad. Beth and Gaye prepared a great Italian dinner. Trofie (a type of pasta) with pesto, asparagus and tomatoes. All locally made. And of course wine too. Capped it off a Limoncello night cap. Life is good. Ciao for now.