Sunday in Siena

So this past Sunday, I wanted to take a spontaneous day trip to the city of Siena. I woke up early(ish) to get to the train station and take the approximately hour and a half ride to Siena. I didn't know too much about Siena, but I figured since it was so close to Florence, it might as well be fun to go visit. This was the first mini trip I took on my own and first time using the train by myself. Thankfully the train was very empty, and there were no seat assignments to worry about.

Now when I arrived in Siena, I wasn't exactly sure about where the historic center was (despite having Google Maps). I just kind of set off down the road. After walking quite a ways and through some residential areas, I assumed that I had gone in the wrong direction. Thankfully I had Rhett and Link's Ear Biscuits to stop me from going crazy, so I happily turned around and kept walking.

Here's what I was walking on for a long time. I got real good at getting across streets with no pedestrian crossing.

So I had to go past the train station on my way to the city center, so I decided to go in for a little bit. I wanted to see their third level, but I saw their elevator didn't go to the third floor. 'There are probably some stairs to get up there,' I thought to myself. Eventually I found some escalators. Perfect! I took the escalator. Then another escalator. Then another. Then I realized that there were a lot more escalators going up than I thought. I didn't know at all where I was going, but I assumed it had to be somewhere good, so I just kept riding it.

And I discovered that I had accidentally gone up an escalator to the center of Siena. Thanks escalators!

When I finally arrived in the actual main part of Siena, it was almost noon, so I picked the first place that was open and looked cheap, and that happened to be a pizza place! Pizzeria Vento had a humongous slice of pizza for only €1,50! I was very pleased to start my day with that.

I also realized that there was some sort of marathon going on throughout the city, so I was able to snap a couple pictures of runners while they were almost at the finish line.

I spent most of my day taking pictures and just strolling through the city. It was very refreshing to go walking in a new environment, and there quite a few little spots where I could sit and relax. Like one of those was an 'ancient fountain,' and there was another place that I could only describe as the most scenic dog park ever.

I walked past the Siena Cathedral, which was so beautiful. I didn't go inside, but I enjoyed seeing the outside and admiring it. I did go into one free museum that was called Museo Contrada Capitana Dell'onda. I wasn't quite sure what it was about, but there were some cool sculptures and paintings in it.

Even though it was only 4 o'clock, I knew I wanted to get something else to eat before I left, and since not much else was open, kebab it was! This one was a chicken kebab shop, and this has got to be the biggest kebab I have ever seen in my life. It was so full of toppings that I couldn't even close it enough to eat it! It also came with fries and a drink, and since I was a student, I got 50 cents off. Nice!

And so afterwards I trekked back to the train station (don't worry, I went the right direction). I bordered my train and had an uneventful ride back as the sun set for the day. I may have been worried that I got off on the wrong stop because I never listen to announcements, but it all worked out in the end, so it's fine. A lovely day in a lovely city.

Arrivederci Siena!

(also, I made a little apartment tour video, so if that's something you're interested in, here it is!)