Sienna
is a direct throwback to the middle ages. It's a large,
walled city situated atop a hill in the rolling Tuscan countryside.
The trains drops you off at the bottom of the hill, and instead of
taking a bus up, we figured we'd walk so we could keep our eyes
open for lodging. So after one LONG ass hike, we were finally able
find a place.
Here's Carl and Space Monkey eating in the coolest McDonalds in the
world - which just happens to be in Sienna. Here we got a Number 1
with a beer and were able to listen to "System of a Down". Cool.
But before we explored Sienna in earnest, we decided
to visit a little place
that both Declan and Matt had recommended. It's a small town called
San Giminano, about a 2 hour bus ride from Sienna. That's it in the distance.
It's pronounced bell towers have earned it the nickname "The Little
Manhattan".
Here's
a closer look. If Sienna is a prototypical medieval Italian city, then
San Giminano is a condensed, better preserved version.
Not many cars in this fortified town. These streets
were made for horses,
and not much else.
This place was like a labyrinth.
Faith
outside the entrace to the largest bell tower.
We
we were about to ascend.
The
bell tower also housed the town's museum, which contained some
stunning examples of Italian art. This fresco is one.
Atop
the bell tower, we were rewarded with an unparalleled view
of the Tuscan countryside.
And
at sunset, no less..
