Benvenuti a Siena!!

We have said arrivederci to Rome and headed to Siena! Though I have loved my time spent in Rome I was ready to get out of the big city and experience more of the personal side of Italy. On our way out of town we stopped by the Temple site to see how the construction was coming. They were busy at work! Unfortunately the best view was from the bus.

Further down the road we spent a view hours in the charming little town of Orvieto. Orvieto has a magnificent duomo and also some lovely views of the Umbrian countryside. The longer I stayed there the more anxious I was to see Siena!! 

Duomo

Pesto Pasta...YUM

Welcome to Umbria!

Brittany, Libby, and I

Story Here...so to get from Rome to Siena we had to rent a bus. No problem right? Not so! Our bus driver happened to be just about as Italian as they get! We spent much of the ride being yelled at for all kinds of things..only to be told after the initial freak out that it was "no problemo" Leave it to Italians to bring the drama! It was quite the experience. When we arrived in Orvieto, this sign greeted us...ironic much? haha

But with each minute we got closer to arriving in Siena, the more my nerves grew! Waiting for us as we got off the bus would be our host family, which would play a huge factor in the rest of our experience here in Italy. AAHH!!

When Libby and I’s names were called, an adorable little blond nonna stepped forward and greeted us each with a kisses on our cheeks. I think we’re going to be in good hands :)

I found this gem in the entry way...isn't she a doll?

Meet Anna and Marcello. They are hilarious. Anna asks us about 20 times a day if we are good (Vai bene?!) and will do anything required to make us so! Marcello mumbles in Italian that is near impossible to understand and cracks jokes about his childhood. They tease each other back and forth at the dinner table about being fat and ugly and how important food is to the Italian culture. It is fabulous. They have both lived in Siena all their lives and have a cute little apartment not far from the city center. Neither of them speak English but are both very fluent in hand gestures and understanding students’ pathetic attempts at speaking their language.  We have a lovely room with two giant windows overlooking the street and I couldn’t be more content! 

After we had settled in our room a bit the first day, Anna took us on a tour of the city. During the walk, she would link arms with us and pull us close to whisper little tips on good Panini shops and which streets are better to walk down at night, and pointed out landmarks to help us find our way home. She was just as helpful and loving as any grandma! I am amazed at how loving these people are. They allow complete strangers into their home, give them a place to sleep, feed them, clean up for them, and truly love them like family! Despite my initial fears, I think this host family experience will be the highlight of my semester.  Not to mention that Anna also happens to be an excellent cook! (But let’s be real, I’m pretty sure all Italian women are!)