Wednesday 10/11/2010

We decided to lighten our load in the suitcases and send the Italy and France Lonely Planet guides back to Anne and Jeff. Arrived at the Post Office in Siena at 9.40am, took a ticket, waited 10-12 minutes and when called was told wer had the wrong ticket. Back to the machine, took a ticket and waited another 20 minutes. We were then told we had to purchase a box/bag from the little counter in the middle of the office (we had not even noticed this). The lady there sold us a box which when we opened we found was huge.  Back to her and she indicated that was it. When we went back to the counter the lady said "gross".  I agreed and she eventually was able to change to a smaller box. The large one with Anne's name and address and our name and address in Canberra was put back on the shelf. Suprise for the next person to buy this!! We left the Post Office nearly an hour after we entered. It cost 3.30 EURO for the box and 21.70 EURO for postage. Better than paying excess baggage!! From there we visited the Wednesday markets which were just the other side of the stadium which was at the back of our room. They went on forever with van after van each with custom-built annexe which unfold from a pod on the roof - clothes and shoes mainly (all winter gear) and a couple of food stalls. We walked up onto the wal of the Fort of St Barbara, which was just beside where the market was held, and had some very good views of the town from on top. On the way back towards town we visited the Basilica di Domenico on the corner near our hotel and the entrance doors were amazing with sculptured scenes on.  We dropped into the hotel for a quick stop and then to Il Campo and the restaurant that my newphew, Justin (who was married in Siena 2 years ago to the beautiful Suse) told us about.  Unfortunately the restaurant was closed for a period as a few were leading into winter.  Found another spot for lunch and then went walking again to the Duomo.  Florence Duomo is large and fairly empty however the Siena Duomo is smaller but when we entered WOW!  We spent a couple of hours in here and when we came out the light was fading.  Back down the streets to Il Campo and stopped at Nannini Cafe (another Justin and Suse recommendation because they had wedding photos taken there) and we had a Hot Chocolate - forgot when we ordered just what the Italian Hot Chocolate was like (like melted chocolate). Back to base about 5pm as it had started to rain and it became heavier as we got closer to home. Later it had almost stopped and we went into Il Campo for dinner. Mike thought he knew where we were going when we headed home and I was not comfortable and went back to Il Campo to follow the way we knew. I did not want the adventure trip - some other time maybe!!!